A Pound of Flesh (A Pound of Flesh #1)(197)

“It’s not an excuse for my behavior. And I never meant to hurt you, or smother you. You’re so much stronger than I am, and I don’t give you enough credit for that. I’m sorry. I know it’ll take time for you to trust me again. I just hope you can. It’s hard for me to let go for so many reasons, but I want you to be safe and happy, Katherine. That’s all your father and I ever wanted.”

“I know, Mom,” she croaked. “I am. I’m happy with Carter.”

Eva kissed her daughter’s forehead softly. “I know, sweetheart. I know.” Leaving all of her hope in Katherine’s hands, Eva stood up. “I’ll send Carter back out so you’re not alone.”

“Mom?”

She turned slowly, her hand on the door. “Yes, love?”

“I’m sorry—and I love you, too.”





34


Two weeks later, Austin Ford was summoned to the offices of WCS. The board wanted a word.

After Ben Thomas’s visit, he’d spent days and nights contacting every * with an outstanding debt to him. But it seemed nothing could dig his ass out of the cavernous pit Carter and his lawyer had found for him.

Austin approached the boardroom now with poise, ignoring the wary look from Helen, his office secretary, when he stopped at her desk.

“The board should be arriving at—”

“They’re already in,” she said, avoiding his eyes.

Austin cocked an eyebrow. “They are?”

“Yes, sir.”

Well, that was … odd.

He took a breath, pushed the large mahogany door open, and immediately wished that he hadn’t.

Fuck. Me. Sideways.

He stared incredulously at his cousin, who was standing at the head of the board table in a four-thousand-dollar tailored Dior suit. Standing straight and smiling as if he knew the meaning to life itself, he looked infinitely different than the bedraggled ex-con Austin had seen only months before. Austin instantly wanted to wipe the smirk off his face with a swift right hook.

“Morning.” Carter gestured to the empty seat to his left. “Won’t you take a seat?”

“I’d rather stand,” Austin replied, eyeing the fifteen people around the table, including Adam. “Isn’t this f*cking cozy?” Austin dipped his chin in an effort to keep his temper. “I guess this is what they mean when they use the phrase ‘hostile takeover.’ ”

“Perhaps,” Carter replied. “But this isn’t hostile, nor is it a takeover; I’m simply reclaiming what was already mine. The board members have unanimously agreed that the contracts signed by our grandparents clearly show that I am rightful CEO and majority shareholder of WCS Communications.”

“Have they?” Austin growled.

“Yes, they have,” Adam answered. He stood and took a step toward Austin. “And they would have done so sooner, had you not hidden it from them. We need you to sign over your rights. I’ve done mine. Legally, we have to do it in front of the board.”

Austin narrowed his eyes at Adam. Where was the f*cking loyalty? “I know,” he hissed through gritted teeth.

“Don’t worry,” Carter interrupted. “I’ve made sure that you still have shares, and the payout you will receive is more than enough to keep you and yours secure for two lifetimes.”

“It’s not about the money.”


“Exactly,” Carter snapped. His voice lowered to a harsh whisper. “It never was about the money, Austin. It was about the f*cking principle, a word that continues to elude you on a daily basis.”