Page 25 of Until Daddy

Jamison waited a few long moments before he decided that was all he was going to get. And should he be surprised? His father was never one for long-winded explanations and was evasive more often than not.

“What other investors have you lined up?”

“The usual, but I don’t want them. I want you and Garrick. I want this to be our project, I don’t want a board of stuffy suits to answer to.”

“I can’t bankroll this sort of project,” Jamison said, patting the folder on his desk.

“I don’t want you to. You’ll buy shares, just like you do with the other companies you have. You and Garrick will both have the same shares, and I’ll have the majority. We’ll use investors for the remaining nine percent.”

“Nine percent?” Jamison closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Where had his sensible father gone?

“I’m putting everything into this venture. You and Garrick will own twenty percent each, the investors will hold nine percent, and I will hold fifty-one percent.”

“Sir. You have a call holding on line three. It’s Carissa McAllister. She says you asked her to call you?”

His girl was learning. And, thankfully, had good timing. Another minute discussing this harebrained idea, and he might lose his temper.

“Thank you, Janet. I’ll take it.”

“I’m doing this with or without you, son, but I’d rather it be with you.” Sincerity dripped from Barron’s tone, and his expression.

“I have to take this. Can we talk more about it this weekend? I’ll make a trip over to the space tomorrow and talk with Garrick. We’ll have an answer for you at dinner on Sunday.” He reached for the phone.

“That’s fine.” His father flashed him a grin and pointed at the phone. “Your newest conquest?”

Conquest. The idea that that was all that was going on with Carissa made the hairs on the back of his neck stand at attention. She was a hell of a lot more than that.

“She’s my girlfriend,” he said, picking up the receiver.

“Bring her on Sunday.”

“I don’t know…”

His father’s mischievous grin fell away and his eyes grew serious. “On Sunday, or I’ll just track her down.”

A statement Jamison had no doubt was true.

“Very well. I’ll bring her by on Sunday.”

“Tell Garrick to bring his lady friend, too. I know he’s seeing someone.”

“I will. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Jamison waved the receiver at him.

Barron nodded and took his leave, but not before giving him a playful wink on his way out. His father didn’t wink. And he never did anything in a playful manner. When was the last time his father had a full physical?

The phone buzzed, signaling the call was still holding.

He pressed the button and waited for the line to click live.

“You have the best timing, Carissa. Thank you.”

* * *

Jade answeredthe call on the fifth ring. “What’s up, Carissa?”

Carissa nibbled on her fingernail. “Oh, not much. Are you working today?” She had the day off, but she couldn’t remember Jade’s schedule that week. Having rotating shifts was a pain in her ass. She couldn’t plan much of anything

“No, thank fuck. I’m off today and tomorrow. One more day taking orders from Doctor Douche and I’d be shoving my stethoscope up his ass. Are you okay? You sound wound up about something.”

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