"I'm not trying to ruin your life, Hunter," Meg said, "though it is a nice side effect of making sure Harrogate is a welcoming place for all citizens, not just a breeding ground for you Svenssons and your billions. But let's talk business. You want a factory? What are the concessions you all are willing to make?"
Liam looked at me then said, "Since we are planning on tearing up some green space, we were hoping a transfer of development rights—"
Somethingthunkedagainst the glass wall of the conference room.
Meg looked over. "What was that?"
I stood up and looked down.
Henry was plastered against the glass partition. "They're going to feed me to the bears!" he said, his breath fogging up the glass. Donna walked up to the door and knocked. Adrian opened it, and Donna picked up Henry by the arm. He had gone completely limp.
"I'm an octopus.Glurb, glurb.That's the sound an octopus makes." Henry waved his legs.
"Mr. Svensson," Donna said, raising her voice over Henry's noise. "Unfortunately, Henry has been expelled from daycare."
"I'm shocked," Meg said, her expression implying she was anything but. Gathering her things, Meg said, "It seems like you all have your hands full. We'll continue this meeting at a later date. I suggest an attitude adjustment."
"Thank you for stopping by, Lieutenant Mayor," I said over the racket Henry was making.
"We're all on the same side. Let's all work together to make Harrogate the most desirable city in the country." She flashed a toothy smile.
"You know," Liam said after Meg left, "she says that, but her smile says she has us by the balls."
"This is your fault," Greg spat at Hunter. "If you hadn't fucked up, we would have had a much easier time."
"Get off my case," Hunter snarled at Greg, standing up so quickly his chair crashed to the floor.
Donna looked between them. "I see where Henry gets it."
I bent down in front of my youngest brother. "Henry. Henry, look at me."
He stopped yelling and patted my shoulder. "I want a cookie."
"You just got expelled from daycare. You don't get a cookie."
Henry threw himself down on the floor and wailed.
"What was he expelled for?" Liam asked as I picked up Henry. He was all limbs, and I winced as one of his hands hit me in the face.
"Aside from the fact that he cannot follow directions, that he has to be the center of attention, and that he yells if you don't bring him whatever it is he thinks he has to have at exactly that moment?" Donna remarked.
"Sounds like Archer," Greg said.
"Is that another one of your younger brothers?" Donna asked.
"He's in his early thirties," Greg said, "but yes, technically."
Donna sniffed. "Obviously we could handle those issues on their own and teach Henry more socially acceptable behavior. But we had to expel him because he keeps trying to run away. Not only that, he tries to convince the other children to run with him. I don't suppose that has anything to do with your upbringing?" Donna asked delicately.
"Probably," Greg replied.
"This is an insurance issue," Donna said to me. "Henry is a liability to the other children. He needs one-on-one attention. We cannot accommodate him. You can push your weight around, and I'm sure the director will take him back, but when he maims another child and the newspapers and lawyers get involved, well, I won't say I told you so, but I'll be thinking it."
Liam opened his mouth, and I knew he was about to say something inappropriate.
"Do not say anything," I growled at him. I'd had a lot of family time, and I was ready for them all to leave so I could return to my business, which I had been admittedly neglecting of late.
"Thank you for your concern, Donna. We'll make other arrangements for Henry."
