When I walked into the sitting room, I stopped short. “Well, if this doesn’t feel like an ambush, I’m not sure what would. Did you bring guns? Knives?”
Sterling looked up from the armchair, one ankle crossed over his knee and a glass of bourbon in his hand. He grinned. “You wound me. We came all this way to surprise you and this is the welcome we get?”
Jameson was sprawled out on the couch like he’d made the journey all the way from California on foot rather than a private jet. “I feel like we need a do-over. Do you want to walk back out, come in again, and then screech about how happy you are to see your cousins?”
I laughed, but then Harlan spoke up. “Alexander.”
He stood near the window with his hands clasped behind his back, his posture as military straight as always. “It’s good to see you again, son.”
“Harlan,” I replied, nodding, then looked back at Sterling and pointedly widened my eyes. “You were supposed to tell me when you were landing.”
He shrugged, slowly arching a brow as a smirk spread on his lips. “Where’s the fun in that? I like surprises.”
“Surprises are how people lose money,” I said dryly.
Jameson snorted. “Says the man who married into a hostile board situation.”
My father cleared his throat from his chair and waved me into the room. “Sit down, Alex. It’s good to have all of us in the same room again for once, isn’t it? It’s been too long.”
Although I still had the distinct feeling that this was an ambush, I sat, mostly because I wanted to hear what it was really about. We did the polite catch-up first, Sterling asking about the performance of the Westwood branch in Chicago while Jameson wanted to know why Jane hadn’t killed me yet. I asked about their kids and how San Francisco was surviving Sterling’s leadership.
It was normal. Easy. Honestly, I would’ve been thrilled to see my cousins if I’d known they were coming. We all got along well. Always had.
These two and I, in particular, were close enough in age that they’d always been some of my best friends despite living in different states. Jameson and I even shared Trent as our closest friend who wasn’t related to us by blood.
Usually when these guys came to town, we had a blast together, but they weren’t here to blow off some steam with their cousins this time. Their impromptu visit was about Thayer, and if they’d all felt the need to come, then I wouldn’t like what they wanted to discuss.
It was a suspicion that was confirmed when Harlan shifted his weight and the temperature in the room suddenly changed. He glanced at me. “Talk to me about the Thayer board,” he said, finally addressing the elephant in the room.
I leaned back, my grip tightening on my drink. “What about it?”
“I hear you’ve made yourself known,” Sterling said carefully. “They know what’s coming.”
“They do,” I replied, my voice even but flat. “You already knew that, though. So why are you here?”
“Well, in my case, I wanted to tell you in person that I’m in,” Harlan said. “If you need my vote, my influence, or my name attached to it, you’ve got it. I considered what you said during our last meeting and you have me in your corner.”
I didn’t hesitate. “I know.”
Sterling laughed. “Of course, you do. Cocky bastard.”
Jameson finally sat up, his bourbon dangling between his fingertips as he leaned forward, eyes intent on mine. “For what it’s worth, I’m ready to help Colin however I can. If it’s agreed that he should remain in his position as CFO, I’ll make sure he has the backing and resources he needs.”
“I appreciate that,” I said, a tiny thread of relief sliding through me. “He’s good. Better than the current board gives him credit for.”
“No argument there,” Jameson said. “Finance game recognizes finance game.”
I grimaced, trying to fight back laughter. “Now there’s a phrase that will never catch on.”
Jamie winked. “That doesn’t make them any less true.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, you’re not wrong,” I said, grinning until I turned to Sterling. “Which brings us to you. Your dad’s in and your CFO is keen. Where’s your head at?”
Sterling swirled his drink, carefully considering his words. “I’m more cautious, as I should be. Our branch of Westwood and Sones doesn’t get to be aggressive just because you’re emotionally invested.”
I smiled, but there was no humor attached to it. “You say that like it’s a flaw.”
“It’s a risk,” he countered calmly. “My job is to name those. You would do the same if you were in my position.”
