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“I’m not important right now.”
“Because you want me to invest, too?”
“I wouldn’t be opposed. Besides, my childhood was mostly about school. It’s not relevant to this conversation.”
“What about all the people he’s cheated out of their savings? It’s three billion dollars. He’s likely going to prison.”
Bethany wrings her hands for a moment before she seemingly catches herself and stills. For whatever reason, she’s nervous.
“Allegedly cheated. It’s a giant misunderstanding. Which is actually why I need your help. You see, he invested the money for those people, like he promised. He can produce it all and clear up this mess quite easily. And he will.” She shifts, crossing her legs and clasping her hands. “But Lund is a thorn in his side.”
I rear back. “Douglas Lund?”
“The same one trying to buy Stratus, yes.”
“That’s an unconfirmed rumor.” I frown.
After the waitress sets down our coffee with a quick murmur, Bethany leans across the table. “We both know it’s true. Lund wants his hands on Stratus. Have you figured out why yet?”
I’ve been trying to understand that for weeks, but so far…nothing. I’m loath to admit that. It would be giving Bethany the upper hand. The woman might be my half sister, but she’s all Reed, which means she’s part shark. If she thinks there’s blood in the water, she might treat me like chum and come at me, teeth bared.
“I have some guesses,” I bluff.
“Let’s say I believe you.” But clearly she doesn’t. “The truth is, Lund’s number one goal is to bring Barclay down.”
“Because?”
“Barclay has a wandering dick. The fact that we’re both sitting here is a testament to that fact.” She sighs. “Earlier this year, his latest perky, young assistant gave birth to a baby boy. When I realized he’d zeroed in on her, I told him to leave the girl alone or get a vasectomy. At least wear a condom. But obviously none of that happened. So Amanda gave birth. Did I mention that Lund is her last name and Douglas is her father? He’s absolutely pissed that Barclay knocked up his baby girl, so he’s on a personal vendetta to tear our father down. Right now, Lund can’t do any further damage—beyond framing Barclay, of course—so he’s going after one of the man’s children.”
What? I peer at her. That’s so twisted it barely makes sense. “Lund framed him?”
“From everything I can see, yes. Lund contorted the evidence to make Barclay look guilty.”
Is that possible? “Even if that’s true, why come after me? It accomplishes nothing. My biological father barely knows I exist.”
Besides, why would Lund have offered me an amount of money for Stratus that’s more than fair if he’s merely screwing Barclay through me?
“I don’t think that matters to Douglas Lund. Barclay may not acknowledge the slight, but there’s no way he won’t take notice. They both know it. As soon as he can prove Lund is full of hot air, he’ll be out of jail. Then he’ll set everything straight.”
“Why tell me all this?”
“I’m trying to be a decent human being and warn you.”
“So you’re doing this for me?” I say skeptically.
“And for Barclay,” she admits. “You’re crucial to not letting Lund win. You can’t sell Stratus to him.”
“Because he’ll have revenge?”
“Exactly.”
I sit back and cross my arms over my chest. “That’s not a compelling reason for me to turn down a billion dollars.”
When I toss out that figure, I see her repress a wince. “Think of your family.”
“Maxon, Griff, and Harlow are my family.” I take a sip of brew. “Tell me why you think I should save a man who screws his assistants and—”
“Aren’t you screwing Nia? Isn’t that her name?”
