His breathing stopped. Is it true? Am I using Stephanie as a security blanket? He’d spent thirty years proving his independence. He covered his panic with anger. “Maybe you’re sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Again.”
“I’m worried about you. Okay? All three of us are. This whole engagement thing doesn’t make any sense.”
Bran blew all the air out of his lungs. “Fine, I’ll tell you the deal, but it stays between the two of us. I own thirty-five percent of Parker-Aston Pharmaceuticals. Carina’s agreed to sign over her shares. That gives me fifty-one percent.”
The phone went quiet as this information sank in. Parker-Aston’s ground-breaking new cystic fibrosis drug would be under Branson’s control. “Are you telling me you’re going to control the company that makes Decolyde?”
“That’s right. Hopefully, we’ll be able to reduce the price to something the insurance companies can stomach.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“Satisfied, now?”
“Not quite.” Finn dragged the two words out like he was thinking hard. “I suppose you already tried every other source to gain the majority stocks?”
“Yep.”
“Here’s the obvious question. Why get married? Why not just buy her out?”
“Believe me, I tried. It’s the only way around her father’s stipulations on the Parker family shares. She can’t sell them. On paper, she’s giving them to me as a wedding present.”
“Out of the goodness of her heart?” was Finn’s droll question.
“She’ll be getting an equally nice wedding present from me—ten percent of Escapade Resorts.”
“What comes after that? A divorce?”
“Can’t. Not for three years, anyway. My ownership is only provisional. I can’t sell them. If we divorce or she dies, her family has the right to buy back the shares for a third of market value.”
“You’re really going to marry this woman?”
“On paper. Yes. You sound like I’m walking the plank. I’m getting married to a beautiful woman.” A woman who’s willing to play the part of blissful bride, blinded by love to her husband’s physical appearance.
“Bran, we can find another way. Don’t sacrifice your happiness for me.”
“Not just you. Steph’s daughter, Ellie. And the other 15,000 kids with CF, in this country alone.”
Finn was silent again.
“Don’t think too hard,” Bran jibed. “You’ll hurt yourself.”
Finn answered with a chuckle. “I only have one more question.”
“I feel like a genie who’s already granted you way more than three wishes.”
“Just one more. I promise. It’s about Stephanie. You plan to keep her on as your personal assistant indefinitely, even after you’re married?”
“Yes,” Bran pronounced, with a tone of finality he hoped would end the conversation.
Finn let out a low whistle.
“What now?” Bran barked.
“Wonder what’s going to happen when Carina gets jealous of Stephanie.”
“Why would Carina be jealous of a paid employee?”
“Branson Knight…” Finn said his name like he was speaking to a child. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe you have an IQ of 165.”
When Stephanie finally arrived, an hour before lunch, Bran could tell something was off. She seemed quieter than normal, only answering direct questions.
His irritation at missing her for most of the morning had faded in the wake of a new worry, emerging from Finn’s earlier line of questioning.
Am I really dependent on Stephanie?
“How was the move?” He closed his laptop and leaned forward, turning his face directly toward her so she would know she had his attention. “Sorry about Carina and the room change.”
“Our rooms are great. Don’t worry about Ms. Parker. It was no big deal. The furniture is finer than anything I’ve ever had.” The conversation drifted into an awkward lull, until she spoke again. “Congratulations on your engagement, by the way. I didn’t say it Saturday night. Sorry, I made a scene at the party. It’s none of my business.”
The tense muscles in his shoulders relaxed as he settled against the back of his desk chair. That’s why she was so quiet. She felt awkward about their argument, and they hadn’t cleared the air yesterday. In fact, yesterday had been business as usual, as if nothing had happened. Exactly the way Bran wanted it. “No problem. I’ve already admitted I shouldn’t have surprised you like that.” He stopped short of telling her the wedding might never happen.
“About Ms. Parker…” She shifted in her chair, her pants squeaking against the leather.
Here it comes. She’s going to criticize Carina. To prove he wasn’t dependent on Stephanie, he should threaten to fire her in response to any criticism. His stomach churned at the thought. I only have to threaten—I don’t have to go through with it.
“What about Carina?” He kept his tone and his posture neutral, taking a sip of water from his thermal cup, his muscles tense, as he waited for her response.
