Page 89 of The Unwanted Wife

Holdonasecond, is that why Arthur asked Quentin to return? Another way to bring the brothers together? No matter that it might be at the cost of Quentin losing whatever relationship he has with them? Or is it a chance for Quentin to redeem himself with them?

"Nathan, you should find the confirmation letter of your position as Group CEO on your desk."

My husband inclines his head. This is something he’s been working toward for a while, but there’s no change in expression on his face. How strange. I’d have expected him to be happy, even excited, but his forehead is furrowed. It’s as if he’s not quite sure how to react to the news. He also doesn’t seem surprised to see Quentin here. Apparently, he knew his uncle was coming today.

"As for you, Quentin"—Arthur looks him up and down—"I assume you accept my proposition?"

Quentin nods slowly. "Do I have a choice?"

"You always have a choice." Arthur’s smile is sly.

"More like a non-choice." Quentin rubs the back of his neck.

"You in or out, son?"

"Don’t fucking call me son."

Arthur sighs. "Can we leave the emotions out of this discussion? You are my son. It’s a fact of life; deal with it."

"And I’m in, only because it’s a way to make amends with my nephews; deal with it," Quentin snaps back.

Arthur nods. "I do have a condition."

48

Nathan

"So, you agreed to get married." I top off the whiskey in Quentin’s tumbler and pour sparkling water for myself. We’re seated on chairs, which have been set to one side of the room, with our drinks on the coffee table between us. The condition Arthur imposed on him… To marry within the next six months, and to a woman the old man approves of. What a shocker, eh?

When Quentin didn’t protest, Arthur seemed to relax. I thanked him for confirming me as group CEO, but he waved it off. He told me I deserved it, that I should make sure to collaborate closely with Quentin, then he took his leave.

None of my half-brothers protested seeing him leave early. If anything, the tension in the room reduced with his departure. Edward saw him out before leaving with Mira.

Starling wanted to check in on her bakery to make sure her employee had closed up properly, and Edward and Mira offered to drop her off. I didn’t want her to leave, but it’s important she focuses on building up her business, especially with the funding flowing in and a new team to onboard. So, I kissed her hard and told her I’d pick her up in a few hours.

Which left Quentin and me, and the rest of my half-brother clan. Knox broke out the liquor, and everyone accepted a glass like it was the answer to all of their problems. Which I know from experience, it isn’t.

I pour some of the sparkling water into a glass and take a sip.

"You don’t drink?" Quentin asks.

I look at him in surprise. Only my wife noticed I abstain from alcohol. None of the other Davenports have noticed, or if they have, they haven’t mentioned it to me. But nothing escapes Quentin’s gaze.

"You sure you don’t want to vie for the role of Group CEO?" I joke.

"Not a chance." He swirls the amber liquid in his glass. "That’s not what I returned for."

"No, you came back to make peace with your nephews." I gesture toward the other end of the room, where Knox, Connor, Tyler and Brody are gathered around the bar and talking in low voices. You know what I said earlier about Knox being a loner? Strike that; it took a threat to one of the brothers for them to close ranks. Which is a positive thing. It’s going to stand the Davenports in good stead when I break down their companies and sell them off, except the info-communication division, since Quentin’s leading that now.

"I suppose I should make a start by going over and talking to them." He shoots a sideways glance toward his nephews. "But then I think, I’m not a masochist, and there’s going to be enough time to take them on in the future. Besides, to begin, I’d rather face them one at a time."

"Good strategy." I drain my glass of water and pour myself more.

He clinks his glass with mine, before taking a sip. "Why did you get out?" he asks me.

"It’s the same ol’ story.” I rotate my neck. “Mission gone wrong. We were ambushed. I made it out alive.”

He swallows another mouthful before he asks, "Was that a good thing?"

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