Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
My anger rises. Chloe is a part of Sidney’s life. Cane knows nothing about her, but his comment still sets me off. Clay’s decision will bring Chloe into my world one way or another.
“I’ve been studying Sidney and her life for almost a year and a half. I know all about her and the people in her life. You just focus on getting lost so Dad doesn’t speed up your time line,” Clayton replies. “Gregor, this is what we need to do.”
I shake my head. This is all nuts. I have no right to do this, but now the idea is rooted in my brain. I release a breath.
“That’s easy for you to say. My options aren’t as promising. Honestly, you really think I should offer someone a million dollars to marry me?”
“Make it promising. What’s a million to you? Make an offer. It’s less than we stand to lose if we don’t do something. For now, it’s a proposal. I know you have someone in mind.”
That I do. I’ve wondered not once if Chloe’s lack of progress has anything to do with me, with us. I noticed the change when I left. Yes, I’ve kept an eye on her all these years. As soon as I was able to, I started to keep tabs on her.
I was frustrated those first few months, not knowing, not having the means to be sure she was okay. It was what I feared most, not being there for her if she needed me.
There had been a point where I didn’t think my brothers and I would pull it off. Then Clayton closed a deal that yielded us millions. Things seemed to catch fire from there. I sealed the deals I was working on, and we were building our net worth hand over fist.
I wanted to run home and claim my woman, but I’d hurt her, and I couldn’t bring myself to see that hurt again. So, I’ve suffered. I’ve held so much regret.
Not anymore. I’m getting older and I want more out of life. I’m no longer wet behind the ears, wishing I could be my own man. I’ve become my own man and I want the one woman who has always owned a part of my soul.
Do I think this is going to be easy? Fuck, no. Chloe has a temper, and she has a right to it when it comes to me. I also know I have the right touch to smooth the feathers I plan to ruffle.
“Okay.” I nod toward the closed files on Clay’s desk. “Her, it’s her. Make the contract. I’m in.”
Clayton smiles at me and I swear in this moment he looks just like our father. Anger rises inside me. I can’t believe the old bastard is forcing our hands like this.
“I’ll take care of everything. It’s only an engagement. I’ll make the agreement for six months. I should be able to figure things out before time is up,” he says.
“I think we’ve both lost our minds.” I pull a hand down my face.
“You damn sure have.” Cane snorts and storms from the office.
Clay waves him off. This is typical Cane behavior. Clayton catches my gaze and holds it. My little brother sees too much sometimes. I shut down before he reaches for the secrets I’m not ready to share.
He opens the file with the information on Sidney and everyone close to her, including my Chloe. Picking up the photo of Chloe, he holds it up, facing me.
“I don’t know your story with her, but I know this is the way to get what we want,” he murmurs into his glass of brandy. He takes a sip. “At least this is how to get what I want.”
He drops the photo and picks up the one of Sidney. I knew Clayton had plans to go after Sidney James. I also knew about the money he planned to offer.
At first it was half a million, not his usual quarter of a mill. A million is the most he’s ever offered in one of his arrangements. Which tells me that my brother for once in his life, may not be thinking clearly.
“You really think tossing a million dollars at this woman is going to get you what you want?” I ask, nodding at the picture in his hand.
He drops the photo and leans back in his chair, eyeing me on the other side of his desk. I sit back in my own chair, pondering my little brother. His darker-red hair gives him more of a brooding look, but he’s still as handsome as I am.
I honestly don’t get why he’s going this route. I tilt my head to the side and change my mind. I do know why he’s choosing this course.
My brother is in love with the chase. The chase is what caused him to step out from under Dad. He worked hard to build something more than what Clooney Hennessy Sr. has.