For a long time, I didn’t understand why she ignored me but doted on my sister. Maybe because I’d never conformed to the Griffin mold, acted in the way she expected, until seven years ago, when I found out the truth. Now, I no longer cared if the sight of me caused her corneas to explode.
“I have a meeting with the new architects in ten minutes,” I told her, waking my laptop and studying the proposed concepts for the resort that would be built overseas.
“Nigel had no right pushing his authority and allowing you to go with someone else for the new resort.”
I didn’t bother reminding her that this was Pops’ baby. He might be semi-retired, but he was still the pulse of this company, and he’d chosen me to handle this new project, while she’d been giving me scrapings to work with—and finally, the damn renovations.
Instead of getting into an argument, I glanced back at her. “Is there anything else?”
Her annoyed expression morphed into an inflexible one. “Yes, dinner tonight at Atherton. The Jaegers will be present. It’s time you officially met the family.”
Officially? Yeah, more like walking into a huge fucking trap—a matrimonial one.
“I’m busy.”
“You’ll be there.”
“Sorry, Grandmother, no can do. As Max’s best man, I’ll be occupied for the next couple of weeks.” I took delight in informing her. “Wedding stuff, you understand?”
No, she couldn’t say anything to this, not when Leland Sinclair, my best friend’s father, was a family friend and a formidable business ally, who handled our vast portfolios. And this was his only son, his heir’s wedding.
“Then you will take Hannah Jaeger as your plus one.”
The old barracuda refused to give up. She wanted another marriage-merger as she’d done with my parents. Our hotels. Jaeger wines. A marriage made in winery heaven. I was sick to death of her trying to run my life as she did with everyone else’s.
“I already have a plus one.”
“You?” Acerbic laughter flooded my office. Her dark eyes nailed me like lasers. “Your reputation precedes you, Jack. You’re telling me you’re taking adateto the most publicized wedding in San Francisco, knowing the press will go wild that you’re with aspecificwoman?”
“Don’t really care. They can say I’m dating Bigfoot in a bikini if they want.”
“Who is she?”
“No one you know.”
Her cold gaze pinned mine briefly before she swept out of my office. Nope, I wasn’t fool enough to think this was over. She’d be back. Damn, it sure felt good having this over her. Still, it annoyed the fuck out of me. Because every time she yanked my chains, I had to dance to her tune.
But not for this one, Grandmother.Not this time.
Yeah, I was going to the wedding solo. My plus one would be there. I just hadn’t told her yet.
A sharp rat-a-tat on my door sounded, and Justin Malcolm, my PA, poked his head inside. His blue eyes gleamed in merriment. “Your three o’clock is here, gorgeous.”
“For hell’s sake, Justin, do you want Margo to kick your ass out of here for insubordination?”
He grimaced and rubbed his buzzed red hair. “Saw her storm past, pitchfork blistering hot and poised for attack.” He dropped his hand, expression serious once more. “Your appointment? You want them here or in the conference room?”
“Here, in five.”
“Got it.” Justin shut the door behind him.
Grandmother had a certain standard she maintained. Underlings had their places, they should be seen and not heard and never dare to be friendly with upper management. With Justin batting for his own team, I didn’t think that would go well with her tunnel-view outlook on life. But Justin was the son of Pop’s housekeeper, and he’d asked me this favor. Just as well, Justin was good at his job.
As I walked over to the Birchwood table near the wall of windows in my office, the door opened, and the brothers, Joe and Shaun of Woods & Woods Architects, walked inside.
Greetings were exchanged, and they set up the presentation for the new, upscale resort. My cell buzzed in my pocket. I got it out. At the name there, I hastily answered. “Cliff?”
“He’s taken off again. I left him resting, came back a half-hour later, and his room’s empty. Left a note. Saidyoucan come and pick him up.”
