Page 2 of The Rebel

We were about to get another earful.

“One day, I’ll hand over the reins to the four of you—Jenner, I’m not leaving you out. I just know I’ll never be able to drag you over to our side.” Walter offered a rare smile. “And when you all run this business, you’ll know exactly the kind of pressure that’s involved on a daily basis. In the meantime, don’t tell me not to stress—stressing is my fucking job.” As he exhaled, his nostrils flared. “If I want the company to stay on top, I have to continue growing it, but it has to be the right kind of advancement, for the right dollar amount, and I need the right people running the operation.” He nodded toward the monitor in the back of the room, which showed aerial footage of the land in Alberta. “You all know Canada has been on my radar for a long time, but the land and price were never right.”

His stare returned to me. “I’m counting on you, Cooper. Don’t fucking let me down.”

I nodded.

Walter then glanced around the room. “Anyone else have anything to contribute?”

There was silence.

Until Jo said, “There’s something I need to discuss with you. I’ll walk you to your office.” As she got up from her chair, sheclasped Jenner’s shoulder, waving at me and my brothers before she followed her father out of the room.

The moment the door shut, Jenner said, “Don’t fuck this up,” in a voice that was meant to sound like Walter’s. He placed his hands behind his head, his elbows bent, leaning back in his chair like he was in a goddamn recliner.

“Come on, my man. Everyone in this room knows I’ve got this. This is what I’m good at.” I circled the air, pointing at my brothers. “What we’re all good at.”

Macon had done the same thing in Hawaii, and Brady, in Florida.

My brothers and I weren’t meant to sit behind a desk and push paperwork. The three of us needed to be out in the field, overseeing the design, build, and changeover of our properties, making sure things ran according to our standards.

The Spade standards.

We didn’t do it for higher titles—we were already part of the executive team. We did it because we loved it, because this was what we had been born to do.

And when situations like this occurred, it came with a rush.

A surge of adrenaline.

A level of control that we all strived for.

Like laying a woman on her back and thrusting into her cunt.

Fuck, there was nothing better.

“You know I’m just giving you shit,” Jenner said. “You’re going to crush this, and then I’ll take care of things on my end.”

“And then we’re all going to celebrate on Christmas,” Brady added.

Jenner chuckled. “Another Dalton and Spade celebration.” His arms dropped, and he shook his head. “You should see the amount of wine and booze Jo had delivered to the house last night in preparation for the party. Do you know the mayhem that’s about to ensue?”

Since our families had melded, the Spades now spent the holidays with the Daltons. Birthdays were celebrated together.

This year, the newlyweds had requested to host Christmas, and no one had put up a fight.

“All I know is that I won’t be the first one to pass out,” Macon said.

We all laughed.

Macon had fallen asleep at the last get-together after drinking way too much, and Ford’s daughter, Everly, had drawn all over his face with a marker.

Of course, she hadn’t come up with the idea on her own. Camden and I’d had a little something to do with it.

Still, he’d never live it down.

“I ordered three bottles of tequila just for you, brother,” Jenner joked.

“Tequila and I broke up after that night.” Macon shoved his hands through the sides of his hair. “Never again, do you hear me?”

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