Page 69 of The Bourbon Bride

“Do you know much about my business dealings, William?”

“You have a nightclub in town that Paige seems to be obsessed with and some new liquor distributor.” He waves his fingers dismissively at the liquor part, clearly unaware of how lucrative my new business already is.

“Those are two of my personal endeavors, yes, but it barely scratches the surface. What keeps me busy on a day-to-day basis, and the conglomerate I’m CFO of, is Olympus International. My brothers and I run the company and we want to branch off in a new direction with the acquisition of several small hotel groups, uniting all of the properties to become the largest luxury boutique hotel chain in the country.”

“You shifty bastard.” William’s eyes narrow as he puts it all together. “You’re the damn fools who want to buy out the Xenios Group. This is why you married Paige so fast. I should throw you out on your ass and have your shotgun marriage annulled right this minute.”

“But you won’t. I didn’t marry Paige for the hotels and that’s the honest truth. I really do love your daughter, whether or not you believe it. Aside from being head over heels for her, you and I both know I can give her the life she deserves. As for the business, I can take the Xenios Group to new heights, far beyond what y’all may have envisioned.”

“She will never forgive you when she finds out about this manipulation. You understand that, right?”

My chest constricts at the thought, but I press on.

“She will see in time just how right this is. I don’t expect her to understand right away, but I’m doing this for her.”

“How can stealing the very legacy she’s prepared her whole life to rule over even remotely be in her interest?”

He gives me a calculated look, but he’s not outright refusing me, a good sign.

“I have my reasons and my plans, but know Paige is the driving force behind everything I do now because I want to make her happy. I would give my soul to make sure she has everything she wants, and my very life to keep her safe.”

I mean every word. I just hope Paige will understand, eventually, and not hate me for what she thinks I’m doing to dismantle her legacy. She’s destined for even bigger things than what the hotels would bring her, and I will make sure she finds her realm to rule over.

“God knows she will give you hell when she finds out.” He shakes his head and nails me with a practiced look of parental concern.

If I were any other man, I would be quaking in my leather Prada Oxfords. Instead, it incentivizes me to win him over and get the hotels I want.Bring it. I level my own stare back at him. “I’m prepared for that possibility. Though I believe I can make her understand.”

“Her mama may never forgive you, even with the nicepresentI’ll be delivering on your behalf.” He sighs deeply and leans back in his chair, giving me a measured look. “But, for some miserable reason, I actually believe you have decent intentions where Paige is concerned.”

“She’s my reason for breathing, now. I know what I have and I’m not about to let that go.”

“You just better be prepared for the fallout when she finds out. Your cloud nine feelings will come crashing down around you both and you may lose her in your quest to take over everything you see at the very expense of the woman you claim to be doing this for.”

I ignore the words that sound fit for an oracle and temper the hope that rises in my chest. “Then you’ll agree to sell?” This is not a done deal, even if he does believe me where Paige is concerned.

“You’ve made quite a generous offer for the Xenios Group, and now this gift of the manufacturing capabilities my wife has been coveting for years. It’s a hard bargain to walk away from. I’ll run it by my team and we’ll entertain the negotiations at the very least, but this is in no way my complete acceptance.”

“I understand, and I appreciate your time. Shall we get the Daniels Industries transfer taken care of now so you can get back to your lunch?”

“You could join me for lunch and we’ll get legal pulled in to make sure everything is as good as it seems.”

“Smart man.” I offer him a smile and my respect. Having William Fairchild for a father-in-law may not be so bad after all. My mother-in-law, on the other hand, is an entirely different story.

“Maybe you can lend me some hard-earned secrets on how to make Caroline thaw a little toward me while we’re at it.”

“Son, that woman is an enigma of high-strung emotions and venom wrapped in a pretty package, but good luck to you. I’ll give you a few pointers I’ve picked up through the years and we can hope for the best on that front. She’s a woman of actions, so you keep treating my baby girl with the respect and love she deserves, and Caroline may eventually thaw a little toward you.”

I think that means I just earned his respect and maybe even his blessing. This impromptu meeting was worth every minute and million spent to acquire Daniels Industries just for that alone.

twenty-eight

Hayes

It’sdone.Itmayhave taken days of hard-fought negotiations that required every ounce of control and planning Olympus International put into it, but we now own the Xenios Group. William and his team finally signed off after a late day ensuring the proper exchange for the legacy that’s been in his family for over 150 years.

“You’re one hell of a negotiator, Hayes.” William clasps my hand firmly in his.

There is a sadness that permeates his countenance despite the incredible wealth he just gained, along with the new industry he and his wife will be able to utilize to turn another family business into an empire.

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