Page 20 of Takeover
"So, you're getting married."
I eyed Micah over the rim of my scotch glass as he leaned against the window in the living room overlooking Central Park.
"Do you have any advice to offer?"
"Other than this is madness?”he laughed.“No.I'm good."
I shrugged."Ever helpful."
His chuckle was soft."Do you have a plan?Because last I checked, you walked into Becks Incorporated with a plan, and then you disregarded it.Which again, is fine.But tell me you know what you're doing."
I nodded."Yes, I'm in control here."
That was a lie.
Tonight's dinner had been a shit show.Becker had thought I would marry his younger daughter.Which was horrifying enough.But what I’d expected even less was for Gwen to offer herself up instead.
Which you're not upset about.
I pushed to my feet to pour myself another drink, because if drinking wasn't on the table, then I had a bleak outlook indeed.
"How the fuck was I supposed to know she would volunteer?How was I supposed to know Becker would bargain one sister for the other?"
"I did try to warn you he wouldn't let it go,” Micah reminded me.“When you told me what happened in his office, I tried to tell you to be careful with that.So now we're stuck.If you say no, he goes to Jacobson."
"You think I don't fucking know that?"
All this was made worse by the fact that Micahhadtried to warn me.I didn't usually miscalculate.I'd been going for the tidiest deal possible.And if it meant Becker wanted to tie his daughter to me, I would do that.And I would bury his legal team in so much paperwork they’d never find the loopholes I'd slide in there.Like a one-year marriage, leaving her with enough money that she would go away quietly afterward.
Liar.You want her.
Fucking hell.I did want her.But that was not the point.
I needed to be married before my thirtieth birthday thanks to a little clause in my grandfather’s will.It had been buried under a mountain of legalese.And our family lawyer had neglected to highlight that little point.If I didn’t, my voting shares would be distributed amongst voting members of the board.
"I got the job done, didn't I?We have what we want."
Micah stared at me."And you’re telling me this has nothing to do with the sparks between you and Gwen Becker on the balcony at the Hearts and Hope benefit?"
I shrugged."I admire her fire."The lie tumbled easily off my tongue.
"Her fire.Is that what we're calling it?”he asked with a smirk.
I turned to scowl at him before taking a large sip of my drink."Don't be a dick."
Micah just shrugged."I'm a Price.Dick is an explicit part of the job description.You're not supposed to make this shit more complicated."
I drained my glass, letting the amber liquid burn all the way down."You think I don't know that?"
My brother frowned at me, watching me closely."If you’re sure you know what you're doing, then I'll follow your lead.But if you don't, you will burn and we'll all go down with you.Everything you built and everyone you love.That includes your Mum."
I glared at him."That's a low blow."
He shrugged.
“You know exactly what would happen if I didn't make a deal."
"Yes, I do.But is this marriage worth the fight with Jacobson and Dad?You were supposed to be laying low.This is going to be like waving a giant red flag in front of their faces."
