Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“You want us to hang out and give you a lift out of here?” he asks.
“I’ll hire a service. Thanks, man.” I incline my chin and exit to the street, stopping at the doorman’s post. “I need a car in fifteen minutes.” I palm him a large bill, and I’m already entering the building.
During the ride up the elevator to the top floor, I scan the proof Adam has emailed me and it’s solid. My brother is in trouble and he wants to drag us all along for the ride.
That ends now.
Chapter Nine
Ethan
Once I’m on the restaurant floor, in the foyer, the hostess stand is to my right. “Mr. Dalton,” is my familiar greeting by the mid-forties brunette who is often here. “I didn’t know you were joining your father and brother today. I can take you to the table.”
“I’m fine. His normal spot?”
“You know it. Enjoy lunch.”
I cut through the clusters of round tables surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and spy my destination almost immediately. Anger tics in my jaw. What the hell is wrong with Grant? And why does he think the stupid stuff is the good stuff? It’s like he’s not even a Dalton. I arrive at the table, pull back a chair and sit down.
“Ethan,” my father greets, a light in his eyes, that says he’s still oblivious to how unlikely I’d freely sit with Grant. Or him for that matter, as of late. “Good to have you join us,” he adds.
“I doubt my brother is going to agree. Aoes. That’s the name of the company Grant wants us to invest in.”
Grant sits up straighter. “That’s right. They’re solid.”
“Are they now?” I almost laugh. “I hired Walker Security to look into them. If you don’t know Walker—”
“I do,” my father surprises me by saying. “They own a private airline I’ve chartered in the past. I know someone who used them for personal protection. They’re highly thought of and respected. What did they find out?”
“The people involved in Aoes are scam artists. And Grant here isn’t just trying to get us all to buy into them. He already did, but they sheltered the purchase, so the board won’t know he’s double dipping. This is the kiss of death for anyone involved.”
“All lies, Dad,” Grant says, the heat of his temper biting into his words. “There’s another Aoes. It’s not them.”
“It’s them,” I say, meeting my father’s stare. “I have the paperwork. I’ll send it to you.”
My father’s attention shifts to Grant. “If this is true, we’re out. And you need to figure out how to end your relationship with them.”
“I’m working on that,” I say. “It won’t be easy.” I glance at Grant. “But as usual, I’m taking care of you. I’ll let you know your next best move.”
“I don’t need, or want, your help. I’m in this to win this.”
“This isn’t a reflection on you, Grant. Walker is the best of the best. They find what the naked eye cannot. You shouldn’t have double dipped, but right now, what matters is you get out. I’ll send you the paperwork and let you make your own decision.”
“Listen to your brother, Grant,” my father urges. “He’s trying to help.”
“He’s trying all right,” Grant snaps. “But with his own agenda.”
I shake my head at my father. “And you wonder why I avoid him.” I push to my feet and head for the door.
Exiting the building, I find the doorman at his post, and he motions to a black SUV, where a fifty-something man is leaning on the car. The driver straightens and opens the rear door for me. Once we’re both inside, Sofia is instantly on my mind. There is so much fucked up shit with my family that I don’t think about when I’m with her. I want to see her. I dial up Harper. “What happened?” she asks. “Did Walker help?”
“It’s handled. It’s not what we thought but still shitty. I’ll give you details later. What’s going on with Sophia's deal?”
“We just talked about this. I’m a miracle worker, but not God himself. I need a few days to get it done.”
“I’m going to see her. I’ll get it done.”
“No. You are not. You sit on the board. You cannot be knocking boots with her while in negotiations. No. That won’t just hurt you with Moore’s, it will hurt your reputation if it gets out.”
“No one will know.”
“You can’t say that for sure. Wait until it’s done.”
I grit my teeth. “You have seventy-two hours. I’m headed to Denver on day three. When I land, I expect the contract to be executed.”
“Ethan—”
“End of topic. I need to go.” I disconnect and charter my flight to Denver.
I don’t know what it is about Sofia that does me so right, but I’m pretty sure it’s everything about her.
And I need that right now. I need her.