Cherished (Masters and Mercenaries #7.5)(45)

Will slid an arm around her waist and smiled readily. “Yes. I’m so glad to finally meet her family.”

Her mother sighed and then she was off again, likely in search of another bottle of Pinot.

Chris shook his head. “She’s as sweet as ever.”

Will shook his head. “Did I miss something?”

“I don’t think he speaks our language.” She could explain to him that her mother had insulted her, but she was trying to stay positive. “It’s okay. Hey, is that Mitch? What’s he doing here?”

Surprise registered on Will’s face as he stepped away. “No idea. Do you want to go say hi with me?”

She shook her head. “Go on. I’m going to get a drink and start trying to figure out how to tell Amy her stud isn’t interested in her plumbing situation.” Will walked away and she turned to Chris. “He could be bi, right?”

“Oh, I doubt it, honey.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m going to go get Jeremy. He sent me a text saying he’s in the lobby and can’t find the place. I’ll introduce him to Frankie and see if he agrees, but I think you’re screwed.”

Because her sister wouldn’t ever be if she married Frankie.

She walked up to the bar. Alcohol was so needed. “Could I get a rum and diet? Heavy on the rum, please.”

The bartender nodded.

“So you decided to come,” a low voice said behind her.

Her father. She was going to be calm. She was going to be a lady. She forced herself to turn. Her father was standing there in what had to be a three thousand dollar Italian suit and Ferragamo loafers. Amid all the lush relaxation of the islands, he still looked like a captain of industry, but then image was everything to George Slaten. Bridget couldn’t miss the way he took in her maxi dress and sandals with a frown. “Yes. I wouldn’t miss Amy’s wedding for the world.”

He gestured to the bartender, who immediately pulled out the good Scotch. “She’s a good daughter and a fine executive, if she would just get those stupid notions out of her head. She needs to nurture the bottom line, not those idiots who are always looking for a handout.”

Her dad was a giver. “I believe she would call them employees, Dad.”

He shrugged. “They’re replaceable, but she forgets that. So are you still peddling smut?”

Ah, so the pleasantries were over. “Are you still screwing the general public six ways from Sunday?” Damn it. She was supposed to be ladylike and turn the other cheek. She’d promised. “I am still writing if that’s what you’re asking. I make a good living at it, too.”

“Enough to buy yourself a boyfriend, I see.” He nodded to the place where Will was talking to Mitch. Ian Taggart and Jake Dean had joined them. Jake had what looked like a baby carrier strapped to his chest. Yep. Tristan’s fat baby legs were hanging down.

She was going to take the high road. Will was right. Her father wasn’t worth fighting with. Not when she could get baby cuddles from Tristan and hunk cuddles from Will. Maybe if his arms were around her she could forget she was surrounded by sharks. She picked up her drink. “If you’ll excuse me…”

Her father reached out and grabbed her arms. “No, I will not. I want to talk to you. I know you came out here to f*ck up your sister’s wedding, but I’m going to stop you here and now.”

She really hated him. “Why would you want her to marry him? He can’t love her. Not the way she deserves.”

“I don’t give a crap about your sister’s love life. I do, however, give a shit about my business. You see that shiny prick over there? The one your sister is marrying? His family owns one of California’s largest real estate companies. When they get married, we’re going to merge and Slaten is going to have the final piece to the puzzle we’ve needed. Our stock will soar and then I’ll sell this f*cking company and be done with it.”

He wanted to sell the company their grandfather and great grandfather had built? Her granddad had been one of the only members of the family she and Amy could stand. She often thought they’d survived their childhoods because of long stretches spent with their grandparents. “I’ll tell Amy. How could you do this? That company is her birthright.”

“That company is mine to do with as I please. I’m going to get everything I can out of it and then retire. Amy can inherit what I don’t manage to spend, but don’t think you’re going to get a dime. I told you when you walked out of the house that you wouldn’t get a single cent from me. You made your choice.”

Because she hadn’t been willing to fall in line. She’d never regretted it once. She’d held down two jobs until she’d started making enough to support herself with her writing. She’d built her life and it was good, but Amy had always loved the company. Amy had been preparing to take over the company from the day she’d been born. “I’ll stop it. The only reason she’s stayed with the company is to protect the workers. She’ll walk away from this wedding. She won’t do this.”

Her father leaned in, his voice taking a distinctly nasty tone. “You could tell her. But then I’ll make sure your boy toy over there doesn’t work again. Did you think I wouldn’t have time to check him out? I work fast, sweetheart. I have connections at the hospital where he works. It’s owned by a large conglomerate, one whose CEO happens to be at this wedding. How is he going to take it when I start talking about your boy’s sexual proclivities? Did you think I wouldn’t know about that? I’m not surprised you turned out to be such a slut. Did you know his mother’s in prison for dealing drugs? Do you think he’s involved in that, too? I bet the hospital will wonder. How about the fact that he was involved with a serial killer? He’s done a fine job of keeping that out of the press, but I assure you I can make it national news. Brain doc doesn’t have a brain in his head. How’s that for a headline?”