I felt the same inside as I sat across my small meeting table from the man. There was something... off about Jasper. His eyes were pale blue like his father’s, but instead of the ever-present spark in Simon’s gaze, there was something eerily flat about Jasper’s.
His skin was like leather, baked and cured by the sun. It crinkled with each word he spoke, each microexpression past the hemlines of his outfit.
“Bryce, it’s a bright day to meet with you,” Jasper hummed.
I couldn’t tell if that was one of the cult’s phrases or if he was referring to the autumn sun pouring in through the wall of windows. Regardless, I said, “To what do I owe the pleasure?” We had to appease him, after all.
He frowned, deep lines gathering at the corners of his mouth and between his sun-bleached eyebrows. “The terms of ourmeeting are not of the sun. They are of the night.” His voice was drenched in sadness.
“Right.” My shoulders stiffened. “I’m very sorry about your father. He’s an incredible man.”
But Jasper shook his head. “My father’s ailment is a mere reflection of his inner core and the lack of light he let in. More time in the sun could have chased away his darkness, but that is neither here nor there. My network has informed me of your team’s shadow work to overturn the goodness coming to the Daybreak Dominion.”
My lips parted as I stumbled for a response, but Jasper continued, “My siblings may not have found the light yet, but the money coming our waywillbe life-changing for the Daybreak Dominion and all its Rays. Imagine, expanding the clear domes, giving tourists a taste of the twenty-four-hour light we enjoy. Someone standing in the way of that brilliance is very dark indeed.” His voice shook with anger, indignance.
Hairs rose on the back of my neck, and I suppressed a shiver. Logically, I knew I had fifty pounds on him. But seeing him practically vibrating with rage unsettled me. He didn’t act based on logic, not any I understood at least. So I did my best to placate him. “Jasper, we at MyHome have nothing but goodwill for the Daybreak Dominion. What we’re proposing is something mutually beneficial.”
His lips pressed together, squishing the lower half of his face.
Taking it as a sign to continue, I said, “My co-founders and I will purchase the shares from you and your siblings at a premium rate. Imagine all you could do for your... Rays with a windfall like that.” If only Cruz could see me now—attempting to speak to my audience. He might be proud, even if I wasincrediblyuncomfortable.
“You know, Bryce, I came to you because I see you as a source of brightness within the company. Both in mind and spirit.”
The compliment didn’t exactly land.
“But you underestimatemybrightness, just like one might underestimate the sun on a cloudy day. No matter how both of us like to deny it, Iammy father’s son. I am well aware that a recurring source of revenue is one the Daybreak Dominion can use long after I’m gone.”
He wasn’t wrong, but I had to get him to see the big picture. “What if you only sold the voting rights of your shares? You could continue cashing out without the extra responsibility. You could boost your clothing line, build even more clear domes, purchase more property, expand your marketing efforts.” The guys and I hadn’t discussed it, but I bet they’d be open to it.
Jasper tilted his head to the side, considering. “I’m not so sure.”
“If it’s about the price, we’re open to negotiating,” I said, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice. Weakness was never helpful in a business deal. Especially not with someone so power obsessed.
Jasper signaled for me to stop and got up, walking to the window and into the sun’s rays. He closed his eyes, humming to himself. Then, his gaze snapped open, and he looked back at me. “The sun has lit my path, and it will not include selling my shares or my votes.” He pressed his hand over his chest. “Working with you shall be... illuminating.”
My heart sank. I couldn’t find it in me to speak, so I simply nodded, sitting back down while he left my office.
My throat tightened as it hit me.
I’d failed us all.
The five of us would have no choice but to get married to save the company we’d worked so hard to build.
19.Jada
Something bangedonto my table in the café, and I jumped back, nearly losing hold of my sandwich, to see Rei with her golden cheeks tinted pink with rage. “Can you believe this?” She tapped the note for good measure.
“You scared the shit out of me,” I muttered. My heart was still racing as I reached for the plain yellow note.You looked beautiful all dressed up last week. I thought you should know.
My eyebrows rose higher, and my jaw dropped lower. “Rei, this went from nice guy noticing your work to full-blown secret admirer! He totally likes you!”
“It’s weird though!” she said, pacing by my table. A few people around us were casting confused glances our way, but Rei didn’t seem to mind. “Who could it be?”
“Dom would be my first guess,” I said.
She paused her path and stared at me. “Dom?”
“He’s always hitting on you!”
