Page 60 of Succumbed

His shoulders relax as he laughs at my exaggerated impression of our mother. “Fuck, how do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Just…drain the tension. There’s so much between us, but most of the time it’s like it doesn’t even phase you.” He studies me, expression open. “Why is that?”

I rock on my feet, hands still in my pockets. “We’re family, Nate. Always will be. And I don’t have our father in my ear every day, reminding me of all the manufactured reasons I should distrust you. Contrary to what he might think, we’re not enemies. Hell, we’re not even rivals.”

“Oh, come on, there’s rivalry here.” He gestures between us.

“There’d have to be a threat for there to be a rivalry.”

He shakes his head, his expression pinched as though he’s warring with whether to laugh or scowl. “You’re something else.”

“You’re not the first to say so.”

Nate moves over to lean back against his desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “Alright, then. You’re here for a reason. Let’s hear it.”

I purse my lips briefly as I look down. “I need you to keep an open mind, Nate. And remember what I said–I don’t see P&L as a threat. Never have.”

His brow lowers. “Okay…”

“We’re working with a startup in the green building sector, Solum Technologies. The founders have history with someone in Greenstar Labs’ portfolio.”

Nate’s expression shutters as I explain about Procerus, then Solum. I’m vague on the details, not fully trusting what he will do with them, though I make the connection between the two businesses clear. When I mention Anne-Marie and her ties to the Solum founders, he straightens and uncrosses his arms.

“I saw the news about you and Greenstar, and–”

“Why are you telling me this?” he interrupts, holding up a hand. “Get to the point.”

“I am.” I cock a brow at him. “There’s a lot you–and I have to assume Greenstar–don’t know about Anne-Marie’s tech.”

“Of course. I don’t need to understand the minutiae to recognize a worthy investment when I see one.”

“Sure, I feel the same way. But I have reason to suspect you should dig deeper. Take nothing at face value.”

His eyes narrow. “What aren’t you saying?”

“I can’t go into the details, you know that.” I sigh, leaning a shoulder against his window. “You might not believe me, but I don’t wish you or P&L any ill will. I’m just saying you need to go through things with a fine-toothed comb. Consider bringing in an objective third party for testing.”

“You haven’t given me anything to go on here. It’s just vague speculation.”

I give him a hard look. “It’s not. I’m telling you–you’re missing something. Greenstar is missing something. You need to look closer, and I suggest you do it before the Green Innovation Summit.”

His expression darkens. “What do you know about our plans for the Summit?”

Blinking, I straighten. “Your plans? Nothing.”

“How did you know I’d be there?”

I gape at him. “Are you serious? I didn’t know you were going to be there, Nate. This has nothing to do with you or some covert spy operation. I saw the article about you joining the Greenstar board and wanted to do the right thing.”

“What, by making vague threats?”

Holding my hands up to placate him, I scoff a laugh. “You’re shitting me. I haven’t threatened you once. I’m here because I know something you don’t, and I don’t want you getting caught in a shit situation if I can help it.”

“So, what, I have to leave the Greenstar board or you’re going to do something?”

Dumbfounded, I shake my head. “Wow. You’re just like our father, aren’t you?”

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