He leans back, catching himself. “Worst-case scenario, of course.”
I study my distant cousins. So they make the grade, huh? While Nico is only twice removed, the Winters are far, far removed. “I take it you’ve been vetted?”
“Of course,” Nico says. “Connection to the crystals lives in the blood. None of us are as charged as you, Alana.”
“All right,” I say. “I’m absolutely fine with the possibility of more family members sharing the load here. In fact, I like the idea of others charging the aquamarines.”
Of course, my father dashes my idea of more free time. “Nobody has your affinity to the aquamarine crystals, but in a pinch, we could all combine to charge or protect the servers if necessary.” He straightens his tie. “The more the better, right?”
As I have no intention of being kidnapped ever again, I see no reason to worry. Nonetheless, I flash a smile at all of my cousins. As far as I know, they’re nice enough, but my father has always kept a tight rein on Aquarius Social.
Nico looks at me, his eyes burning. “I just found out about the changes that might be coming,” he says shortly.
“Yes, I can see that.” I narrow my gaze and then look at Father. “What’s the new breakdown of ownership?” Apparently, Nico doesn’t like it.
My father clears his voice. “I have the documents for you all to sign. After this transfer, I’ll own sixty percent, and the four of you will have ten percent each.”
A deep crimson creeps into Nico’s face. “I absolutely do not agree with this plan.”
My father shoots him a look that could ice over the Sahara. “I am not asking your opinion.”
The phone buzzes in my purse, and I freaking know it’s Thorn calling back. Somehow, the buzz holds a demanding weight. It has to be him. I swallow and stiffen my spine. “I’m with Nico,” I say, crossing my legs.
My father slaps a hand on a file folder, and the sound echoes around the room. “Excuse me?”
With Nico watching me as if he’s caught a lightning bug in a jar, I partially turn to face my father. “I’m with Nico,” I say slowly and clearly. “We’ve dedicated our entire lives to Aquarius since before either of us could even type, and decreasing our shares to ten percent is an insult. It isn’t fair, and I’m not signing anything that reduces our interests.”
“I don’t recall requesting your approval,” my father says, his voice low with a thread of anger darkening the tone.
I cast a quick glance at my cousins. “You never do. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that I have the crucial connection to the aquamarine stones. That alone gives me a say.” Not to mention that I’d have to sign the documents to give up part of my interest, and I’m more likely to run headlong back to Thorn than I am to do so. I wink at Nico. “Give us your take on this.”
He blinks twice as if he’s been slapped upside the head and can’t believe the words flowing from my mouth.
Frankly, neither can I, but in the last week I have been kidnapped, devirginized, enlightened, and heartbroken. Right now, I’m just pure and simply ticked off.
Nico visibly relaxes. “It appears as if Alana and I are united here.”
I look at my father. “I agree you have every right to retain a controlling interest in Aquarius. However, you may accomplish that by keeping fifty-one percent interest in the stock.” I look at Nico. “Nico and I will remain at an ownership level of twenty percent each. We’ve done nothing to lose that. Period.”
My father sits back and it appears as if his chest widens. “You’re not going to dictate the future of this company to me.”
I shrug. “I’m not trying to dictate, but I won’t agree to any proposal that isn’t fair.”
Scarlett leans forward. “I didn’t crawl out of the basement to take a measly four and a half percent.”
I’m impressed she did the math so quickly. “Even a minority stake will make you millions of dollars a year. Feel free to return to your basement.” I focus on my father. “Not only that, you still have a controlling interest, so even if we all decide to gang up on you, you’ll still win.”
Nico flattens both hands on the table. “I’m in agreement.”
Yes, I bet he is.
My father exhales loudly, and he sounds like a furious bear. “I’ll take this under advisement. Everyone please excuse my daughter and me.”
The Winter siblings file out, while Nico remains in place. My father looks at him.
Nico shrugs. “Whatever you’re going to discuss, I want to take part.” Look at Nico growing a pair.
“I agree,” I say. It doesn’t hurt to have him in my corner.
My father looks from one to the other of us. “I don’t like where either of you are taking this.”
I try to keep my knees from knocking together. “That’s not my concern.”
My father glowers. “Nico, you will excuse us now.”
Nico winks at me and then stands, smoothing down his perfectly tailored suit. “Very well. Alana, if you require me for anything, call.” With that, he turns and strides from the room, shutting the door quietly.
My father pushes away from the table. “What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing. I’m just tired of being pushed around. What you were about to do wasn’t fair, and you know it,” I say, meeting his gaze directly. As usual, he looks away. I throw my hands up. “Why can’t you even look at me?” He swallows, and it hits me. All of a sudden I know. “It’s because I look like her, isn’t it?”
He still has a picture of my mother above the mantelpiece. Even though I’m not allowed in his room, a while back, I needed something, I can’t remember what, and I tiptoed in there to find her side of the bed just as it had been when I was young. Even her lotion is still in place.
“Yes,” he says, the sound tortured. “Don’t ever fall in love like I did, Alana. The pain isn’t worth it.”
I barely keep myself from laughing, because it’s probably too late for that. “Did you court for a long time?” Please say yes. For years. It took years to fall in love.
“No. It was love at first sight.”
