Page 28 of So I'll Know
My father sighs likeI’minconveniencinghim. “Marcus, be reasonable. You’re not in a relationship anyway. If you marry Sabrina, at least it furthers your career.”
The hint of a headache is now a throbbing roar. “No. No fucking way.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Can you stop with the profanity?”
This fucking guy. Fuck him. I’ll say fuck as much as I fucking want.
“I’mbeing dramatic? I’ve given you control over my professional life, Dad, but I can’t give you my personal life, too.”
His face hardens. “And I said it’s nonnegotiable.” He gives me a look that makes me feel like I’m a little kid in trouble. “Do I need to remind you that this Seattle location exists because ofme?Ioutbid every other offer for the property.Ifast-tracked your building permits for the remodel.I’mon the fucking deed. Maybe I should have a chat with your brother. We can tell him how Skynet is financially involved in the instrumental success of his ludicrous career.” My father places his phone on the table between us and pulls up Sebastian’s number, his finger hovering over the Call button. “You can bet that Skynet withdrawing its support because of shady business practices would be a big reputation hit for your brand.” He makes an exaggerated sad face. “In fact, your little brother’s career may never recover.”
Anger vibrates through my whole body. “Jesus, Dad, you’re talking about one of your kids.”
“The one who failed. He would be nothing if not for us.You’d do well to remember that.” He gives me an appraising look. “Your stepsister is in the same precarious situation. One call and Rosewood Publishing will cancel her book deal.” He gives me a sly smile. “She’ll hate you when she finds out you’ve tied her to me. Probably more than she hates me.”
His finger twitches closer to the Call button, and fear mingles in my gut, cooling some of the anger. “Fuck. Fine. But can I at least meet this Sabrina before we make this public? Give me a chance to make sure she’s on board with everything?”
My father’s grin brightens his whole face, and there’s a hint of pride in the expression. I hate the little surge of dopamine that still hits my brain when I please him. “Of course! I’ll set up a meeting after the Thanksgiving holiday.”
“Great,” I growl.
Our food arrives, and we eat in silence for a few minutes before Dad speaks. “I know originally we agreed on a July soft opening for the pub, but all this needs to happen by April instead.”
I grimace. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“I should also warn you that Ryan is extra paranoid right now.”
“You don’t say.”
“You just need to be careful. He said he was going to put a tail on you.”
I pause, the burger halfway to my mouth. “A tail? Are you serious? Why?”
“Like I said, he’s paranoid. He thinks I’m trying to force him out.”
“Youaretrying to force him out,” I deadpan.
“Just don’t do anything stupid, Marcus. He’ll find some excuse to cry nepotism if I try to get you onto the board after he digs up some dirt.”
“Sure, Dad, I’ll try to keep my meth lab on the down-low. Got any old trailers I can use?”
“I’m serious, Marcus.” My father looks at me like he’s a fucking king and I’m a lowly peasant. “Keep your nose clean.”
I grunt in reply, but the idea of Ryan tailing me gives me pause. I could have led him right to Jeremy’s apartment last night.
The idea of tangling Jeremy in this mess makes my stomach burn, and I drop my french fry. If Ryan or my father even suspects that we mean something to each other, Jeremy will become a target, and my relationship with him would certainly be a scandal, especially if Sabrina and I are engaged.
I waituntil I get to my truck and climb in the cab before I pull out my phone and scroll down my contacts to John Evans.
He picks up after the first ring. “Hey, Marcus. What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, there’s just been a hiccup in our plans. Can we move the investigation up to April?”
There’s silence for a minute, then “What happened?”
“My father wants to stack the board against Ryan by merging with Pine Investments.”
“Ben’s company? How’d he swing that?”
