“Fionn,” Mason said, “the fact Dire Enterprises is offering to do abindingagreement shows they’re very committed to purchasing your companies. Most of the time, at least in my experience, buyers just do an agreement that lets them wiggle out of the deal for any reason.”
“Mase is right, pet,” Hunter said. “And while a non-binding agreement benefits the person who’s shopping, it’s not very good for the one selling.”
“So you think I should sign this?” asked Fionn.
“Yes, and if thereareany issues, Dire Enterprises will find them, so even if you don’t come to terms, you’ll benefit from knowing what might be stumbling blocks you’ll have to address before you sell the companies to other buyers,” Hunter explained.
Mason chimed in, “The other thing is, you know Dire Enterprises has the funds to make the purchase so you don’t have to worry about the deal falling through for lack of financing. That makes them the best kind of buyer there is.”
Looking down at the agreement, Fionn nodded, understanding it better. Then smiling at Hunter, he said, “Okay, let’s do it.”
After they returned to the conference room and sat down, Maximus asked, “Have you come to a decision?”
“You got yourself a deal,” Fionn smiled, picking up a pen and signing his name, before sliding the agreement over to Maximus.
After adding his signature to the Agreement, Maximus said, “I’m eager to move forward on the due diligence, Carson will be handling it, but I’d appreciate it if you guys can go with him to France…just in case Fionn is needed to give approval for anything, like access to bank statements and stuff like that.”
“France?” Fionn asked, his voice breaking. The last time he was there was the night his father died.
“That’s not a bad idea, pet,” Hunter said. “You can deal with other issues concerning your inheritance…like moving your father’s hoard and deciding what you want to do with the chateau.”
His mate did have a point and Fionn had already decided to sell the chateau, so maybe that could happen on this trip; then he’d never have to go back again. “Okay, when do we leave? Don’t forget the appointments with the galleries.”
“Those are on Monday, so how about Wednesday?” asked Hunter.
“Okay,” Fionn said.
“Perfect,” smiled Maximus. “We’ll make all the arrangements. According to Penn, your father’s right-hand man, Remy Marchant, will be able to help Carson access most of the information needed for the duediligence. Is it all right with you if Carson contacts him right away to get a head start?”
Seeing a small nod from his mate, Fionn said, “Of course. Anything else?”
“No, not about this,” Maximus said, indicating the signed Agreement, “But I do want to speak to Hunter and Mason about Beowulf Trust.”
Fionn’s gaze shifted to his mate. “Do you want me to leave?”
Shaking his head, Hunter murmured, “Stay, pet. You are part of Beowulf Trust, too.”
“Hunter…Mason…” said Maximus, “I…we are very impressed with your proposal and want to proceed with Beowulf Trust. However, instead of having your company handle all of Dire Enterprises’ investments worldwide, we’d like to begin on a smaller scale…if that’s acceptable to you.”
Stunned, Hunter stared at Maximus—their year of hard work had paid off. It was the biggest gamble he’d ever taken and, if he was honest with himself, never gave it much of a chance.
“That’s a good thing, right?” asked Fionn.
Jolted out of his trance, Hunter smiled at his mate, “Yeah, it is.” Then, turning to Mason, he saw his brother grinning—they’d done it! Turning to Maximus, he said, “Sir, that’ll be just fine.”
~/~/~/~/~
Receiving a text from Steel that the chopper was five minutes out, Hunter folded the rest of his clothes and packed them in his bag. It had been a whirlwind few days—Fionn’s drawings were now going to be handled by two galleries in San Francisco, Mason would betaking the lead in handling the Dire Enterprises’ investments and Jackson had extended the cousins’ invitation to stay until Hunter and Fionn returned from France. Looking around the room for his mate, he found Fionn kneeling in their closet. “Pet, what are you doing?” Hunter asked, closing his bag.
“Just a minute,” Fionn replied, his voice muffled. Digging through his small trunk, he looked for the surprise he wanted to give his mate. “Finally!” he muttered as his fingers closed around it. Quickly slipping the cock ring into his pocket, he slammed the lid shut. Then, grabbing some clothes, he headed over to the suitcase he’d borrowed from Kieran. After it was packed, he said, “Okay mate, I’m ready.”
Grabbing both bags, Hunter said, “Good, then let’s go. Everyone’s waiting.”
~/~/~/~/~
Stepping around Cody and Colton, who seemed to fill the room, Carson carried an armful of underwear to his open suitcase lying on the bed. When Maximus first approached him with the assignment, he was flabbergasted he’d even been considered for it. Then, when Slate explained why they thought he was the best person for the job, Carson quickly accepted.
“We’re going to miss you, bro,” Colton said.
