Roger that, dearest Daddy.
After nearly thirty minutes of preaching and mindless gibberish, I miss the approach of Harrison. “Harrison. Great to see you again. How’s the wife? Doing well, I hope?” Nathaniel stands to greet him while Lionel turns into a fly on the wall. I, however, stand back and watch.
“As well as sunbathing in the Hamptons can do for her. It’s a pleasure, Nathaniel.” Harrison Hartwell shakes my pathetic excuse of a father’s hand.
“That’s what I like to hear. Us leaders can’t do our jobs to the best of our capabilities if the housewives aren’t happy. Isn’t that right?”
Harrison chuckles, and I want to vomit. “We’re going to make a great team.”
Fake. Fake. Fake. All of them.
I know all about the bigwig business guru in front of me. Stories that would make my deceased grandmother cry from her grave. Betsy helped me uncover all we could find on the embezzlement case that Harrison somehow came out on top of a few years back. Not to mention the multitude of tax evasions and money laundering. When the media caught wind of the company he worked hard to build from the ground up, a multi-million-dollar motorcycle automotive brand, if I might add, customers went into a frenzy, and his empire damn near fell.
Makes sense why it would be a smart move to pass it down to your son. Nothing sayscowardlike avoidingaccountability for your own wrongdoings by passing the burden to others.
A tall man behind Harrison comes into view, and now it’s my turn to fake it. He greets my poor excuse of a father, “Mr. McIntosh, it’s wonderful to finally meet you, sir. My father has told me all there is to know about the great Nathaniel McIntosh. I’m well taught on your business endeavors from start to finish, and I’ve gotta say, you’re brilliant.” I examine him closely. His dirty blond hair, faded on the sides with minimal length on top, makes him appear young. He reaches out a hand. “Austin Hartwell.”
Nathaniel turns toward Harrison while shaking Austin’s hand. “Fine young man you’ve raised here, Harrison. I look forward to potentially working with you.”
It’s like I’m not even here.
“And who’s this beautiful lady?”Austinshifts toward me. If I weren’t seconds away from dying inside, I might find the guy attractive. He’s got big brown eyes, is clean-shaven, tall, and slightly muscular.
However, it’s his arrogance that smells like shit.
Play the part, Cove.
Mustering up as much enthusiasm as I can, I hold my hand out to greet him. “Cove Davenport.” I smile wide for added effect, knowing it’ll have Nathaniel rolling his eyes. I barely know the guy, and he’s already become predictable to me.
If only I had video footage of every shake of the head and nail tapping he’s granted me already. The asshat didn’t even see me to the hotel check-in, dismissing me with a shallow “goodbye” and making Bryan escort me inside.
“Ah.” Austin reclines his head in understanding. “Keeping your independence with the last name. I respectthat. Hopefully, you won’t be holding onto it for too long now.”
I catch the underlying message, and it makes my skin crawl. There’s no way in hell I’m marrying the guy, but he’s not supposed to know that. Nathaniel taps my hand slightly beside me, reminding me of our deal.
Couldn’t forget it if I tried.
I clear my throat and lift my shoulders with confidence. “I’ve never been more ready for the change, Austin. Especially with a man as handsome and successful as you.” The words taste sour on my tongue, but Nathaniel and Harrison seem pleased, smiling at each other knowingly.
Austin’s father faces me, hand reaching out to cup my shoulder. I fight back a flinch, wanting his slimy hands off me. He gives me the ick.
“There’s no doubt in my mind Austin will make a great heir to my empire,” Harrison says proudly. The formality of this conversation is exhausting. Do people actually talk like this? “And you hopefully standing beside him as his wife.”
I gulp, the seriousness of the lie striking me straight in the chest.
Do it for Mom, Cove. One week. That’s it.
“There’s nothing I want more, Mr. Hartwell.” I smile softly, telling myself I can overcome this. I can do it and walk away with the money. Mom will have the funds to fix her house, and if we’re lucky, enough to take care of her indefinitely.
This will all be worth it.
But at the same time, why does my mind instantly think about Stetson? Nathaniel and Harrison are huge names in the automotive industry. Will Stetson get word of my relationship and supposedly upcoming marriage with Austin in as little as a week? Stetson lives in Texas, too. Although Imay not know the proximity to where we are, I’d imagine word travels fast in the millionaire world.
Or is it billionaire? Trillionaire?
Either way, I feel sick at the thought of him finding out without me telling him myself. I want to tell him. But first, I’ll get settled here. Find out where we’re headed for the next six days. Then once I know the game plan, I’ll communicate discreetly. I have to. Waiting a week will do more harm than good.
I don’t want to ignore him, but at the same time, I know there’s nothing I can offer him at the moment. And after him opening up about everything he’s worked for: the ranch, his family, his legacy. The letter he shared with me.
