Page 52 of Dominant

Chapter 13

Tender Offer

Jordan

There was a letter from Abbott Holdings waiting for me when I got home, which wasn’t usual, since my paycheques were automatically deposited into my account. When I opened up the bulky, officious-looking document inside, I didn’t understand it.

I had to sit down to give it my full attention. It was an offer to purchase my shares in Chateau Andilet winery at an above-market price, and none of it made sense to me. For one thing, I didn’t own any shares in anything - not that I knew of. And I didn’t understand why the offer would be coming from Abbott Holdings. Alexander already owned almost fifty percent of the company, plus I saw him every day. Wouldn’t he have explained something like this to me?

When my roommate got home later that night I went over it with her. Stephanie was in law school, and I thought maybe she could read some sense into the legal document that I was missing.

She studied it for a long time and went over the facts with me. Did I own shares of Chateau Andilet? No. Did I have reason to expect an offer from Abbott Holdings? No. Eventually she said, “This is a pretty straightforward offer, taken objectively. This is one company trying to increase their shares in another company - presumably to take it over. Isn’t it possible that your parents have given you shares in their company?” She asked.

I shrugged. “I guess so. I’ve just literally never heard anything about it.”

The next day at the office, Mark called me into his office before I had a chance to call my parents about the letter.

“Just wanted to check in,” he said kindly. “I know things have changed around here and between us and I want to make sure we keep an open dialogue. Is that okay?”

“Yes, Sir,” I said with a smile.

“Oh, please.” He held up his hand. “You don’t have to do that. If that’s a role you and Alexander want me to play, that’s no problem. But right now, you and me, this is two friends talking, all right?”

“Okay,” I nodded.

“What happened yesterday,” he continued. “What happened at the club. Fuck, Jordan. You blew my mind. You’re unbelievably sexy.”

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I answered flirtatiously, and then grew anxious about it. Would Alexander mind me having this conversation without him? Was this permitted?

Mark smiled. “I hope we have an opportunity to play again - that it’s something you, and Alexander, want. Because it’s up to you, and I hope you know that. I would never step on Alex’s toes. And he’s made it pretty clear he’s claiming you. I’ve never seen him like this before, about anybody.”

“You call him Alex?” I asked, my mouth quirking into a smile.

He grinned. “Yes, but don’t tell him that. He never liked it, even as a child.”

A question popped to mind. “Just how far back do you two go? I noticed he calls you his brother.”

“Yeah,” he answered. “We are brothers. Basically. We met in foster care when we were both in the system. Alexander has fought for me more than anybody ever fought for me in my life. I would probably be on the streets without him. We’re the closest thing to family either of us has.”

I was shocked. “You were both in foster care?”

“Yup. We both aged out of it too. My mom died when I was fourteen. I had no one else. I was put into a home with Alexander. He entered the system when he was six. His mom was a drug addict. Always cleaning up and coming back for him and then falling apart again. Pretty sure that’s why he became such a control freak.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. Going through what we did, it’s made us closer than brothers, really. And --” he turned bright green eyes to me, a smile dancing on his lips, “-- we share almost everything.”

I flushed involuntarily, remembering what had happened in Alexander’s office only yesterday.

“You’re Alexander’s,” he continued. “He has let me be a tool within what you and he have together, does that make sense?”

I nodded. It did. I loved Mark, but it was different from the love I had for Alexander. When I was with Mark, it was for Alexander.

“I would never come between you two, but girl,” he whistled. “I am fucking hot for you. Please know that. You are fucking out of this world hot.”

“Thanks,” I said with a smile. It felt good to have Mark in my corner. Warm, loving, affectionate Mark. He was like Alexander’s softer side.

“How are you adjusting to life after the House?” he asked. “I know it can be a tough transition.”

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