“Jack.” Her gaze skimmed over my face.
What she looked for, I had no idea. Didn’t care.
Not interested in a conversation, I slipped my hands into my pockets, rocked on my heels, and stared at the descending numbers, waiting to get out of the cage.
My cell vibrated. Thankful for the diversion, I retrieved the device. At my sister’s name, I answered, but she’d rung off—second time today. Frowning, I called her back, and the damn thing continued ringing. I stared at the screen.
“We’re having a few people for dinner tomorrow at the house,” Margo’s firm voice cut through my thoughts. “The Jaegers will be there.”
A tick started in my jaw. She refused to give up on her marital merger.
“I’m busy.”
“How much longer are you going to use the wedding as an excuse? It’ll be over soon.”
“As long as I breathe,” I shot back, finally glancing at her. “I will not meet them, not for what you want.”
Her lips thinned. “You are just—” Her mouth snapped shut.
“Likehim?” I dared. “You can say my father’s name, Grandmama,” I mocked. “After all, you made sure the Griffin and Blackstone merger happened all those years ago. So, what if he screwed around? At least you got what you coveted.”
Her pale features hardened. Her eyes became brown ice. “Regardless, you are my heir. This merger will take place.”
Over my dead body.
I took to staring at the descending numbers again, wishing I could go for a long run, even a gym workout to release this fury raging within me since riding the waves was out. But here I was, stuck in this elevator. Naturally, our offices had to be on the fortieth damn floor, prolonging the torture.
The cage halted, and more people hurried in, giving me a modicum of respite from her and putting an end to any further conversation that always dropped me into an abyss of anger and resentment.
The elevator stopped at the ground floor, and the door rolled open. Margo glanced at me as the crowd in front walked out. “My investmentsalwaysyield.”
The few people remaining with us had no idea what she meant. I did.
“Then, I’m sure you’ll besuccessful,” I said, my tone flat.
Her lips thinned before she sailed off. Yeah, she got my drift.
At the basement level, the elevator halted. Putting aside the crapfest that was my life, I headed for my car, and called Ray. Her cell continued ringing, then it went to voicemail.
I rang the house. Marcy answered. “Mr. Jack?”
“Is Ray still asleep?”
“No, she left ten minutes ago.”
Dammit. I’ll deal with that later.
I shrugged off my coat, tossed it onto the passenger seat, and slid inside.
Leaving the Business District behind, I drove toward Marina Blvd, my mood slipping from frustration back to concern over my sister.
Later than I cared for, I screeched to a halt in the driveway of the cream, Mediterranean-style house, my sister had moved into a year ago. I jumped out, sprinted up the few steps to the front door, and jammed my finger on the doorbell.
The huge, animal-engraved door flew open. Marie stood there, her dark eyes wide with shock. “Jack, what are you doing here?”
Eight years older than I, my sister appeared younger than her thirty-three. Her straight, gleaming brown hair framed her lovely but weary face. She appeared too pale for my liking.
“You called and hung uptwice. Why?” I demanded.
