Page 38 of Just My Luck

Beside me, nerves rolled off his shoulders in waves. I squeezed his arm once and gave him a reassuring nod.

“As you’re aware, Abel’s Brewery continues to expand and be more profitable than we initially anticipated. You were an integral part of getting the brewery off the ground, and I will always be thankful for that. Moving forward, I would like to buy out King Equities’ shares and carry it forward on my own.”

Pride swelled in my chest, and I smiled as Abel stared ahead at his father.

JP scoffed lightly to my right. “With what money?”

I resisted the urge to sneer in his direction.

“I’ve been saving,” Abel said. “That, in addition to Sloane’s family money, would be enough to outright purchase the brewery.”

Russell’s index fingers tapped together as Abel’s words settled over him. “I don’t know, son. A total buyout is a bold move. Maybe the firm should stay on for a while as a minority shareholder... just in case.”

Abel tensed beside me. It was clear he didn’t want his father involved with any part of Abel’s Brewery. “When the brewery was purchased, we’d agreed the firm’s money was a loan. As the brewery has grown, those repayments have been made regularly.”

Russell’s chair groaned as he shifted in his seat. “I understand that. You’ve surprised everyone with what you’ve done with the business, even me. Still...”

“The terms of the loan were clear, Abel,” JP interrupted. “King Equities provided the initial loan but remains a partner, even once that loan is repaid.”

“You don’t want King Equities involved?” Russell sounded deeply wounded, though I suspected it was simply a guilt tactic.

Abel jerked his chin. “It’s not that. Land and business acquisition has been the primary goal of King Equities. Now that Abel’s Brewery is established, there is no residual value outside of profit shares. I would think it would be far more beneficial to use the buyout to acquire other businesses in the future.”

A lighthuhescaped JP, and a tiny twirl of victory zipped through my belly. Abel had done his own research, and I couldn’t have been prouder.

Russell’s hand moved across the pad of paper as he scribbled more illegible notes. “I’ll have to mull this over, of course.”

Feeling a skittering of panic, I licked my lips and sat up. I smiled widely at Russell. “Thank you, sir.” I leaned into Abel,resting my head against his arm. “Owning the brewery with the man I love has been a dream of mine, and Abel has been doing everything he can to make my dreams come true.” I blinked up at my husband’s shocked face. “He really is a teddy bear.”

JP sneered and Russell laughed. “My, my. I see you’ve got your hands full with this one, Abel. I’m sure we can work something out. I will think it over and get back to you.”

I stood, seeing our exit and taking it. Russell, JP, and Abel all stood. Quickly, I rounded the desk, wrapping my arms around my new father-in-law. “Thank you, sir. I am so honored to be a part of this family.”

Russell King’s patronizing eyes looked down on me. I knew a man who liked a pat on the ass when I saw one, and Russell King took the bait. His hand dipped far too low on my back as he returned my embrace, and my stomach soured. Still, I beamed up at him before I retook my position beside Abel, who was frozen in place.

His shoulders bunched, and he didn’t seem to move as he stared at his father. “It’s time to go. My wife and I have afternoon plans.”

My wife.

There it was again. Two words that sent a dull ache straight between my legs.

Confused by the sudden darkening of Abel’s mood, I leaned into him. His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against his side. He dropped a soft kiss on the top of my head, selling our farce to his father, I assumed.

Russell smiled in an oily kind of way that made my skin crawl. He sighed. “It’s a good day to be the king.”

I swallowed back the bile that rose in my throat and clung to Abel as we exited the stuffy, too-dark office.

JP followed us out, closing the door behind him. “Abel,” he called, stopping us both in our tracks.

We turned to see JP frowning and pointing his finger between us. “I don’t buy this bullshit for a second... but it seems he does. I’ll talk to him. He’s got his eye on a failing law firm office over in Bloom County. The funds from the brewery buyout would clear up some red tape and make a hostile takeover of the building much simpler. It might take a few days to get everything in order, but if I can make it work, I will.”

Abel nodded, revealing nothing. “Thank you.”

The men shook hands, and Abel headed straight for the door with me hot on his heels.

Once outside, I exhaled in relief and trotted beside Abel as he walked toward my car. Hoping to break the ice, I said, “Your brother seems a little frosty, but kind of nice.”

Abel yanked open the driver’s-side door for me. “He’s not. If there’s an angle JP can play, he’ll play it. But our hands are tied. We’ll have to trust him.”

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