Page 24 of With This Ring

Charlie waves me off as Kai approaches. “I would never. His materials are cheap, and he cuts corners. I’d rather use someone reputable.”

With a snarl, I step into Charlie. “What the fuck is your problem? Why are you so against letting your fuckingsonhelp you? What kind of fuckingfather?—”

Kai steps between us, facing me with his face twisted in irritation. “Chill out, Carter. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

Anger builds inside me as I stare at Kai. How can he take his father’s side, knowing he’s not only a shitty father, but a shitty businessman? He’d rather take an opportunity from his son than allow him to help him out. Who does that? Charles St. fucking Clair, that’s who. Why my father thought it would be smart to attach ourselves to that fucking snake is beyond me. “Why are you letting him talk to you like that?”

From behind his son, Charlie says, “I’m just telling the truth. Kai knows it and I know it. The sooner he hands me over that debt trap, the better for this family. Or you can sell it and put money back into this family and stop wasting your fucking time with a venture that’s not paying off.”

I know for a fact that’s not true. I saw the account ledgers. I know what Kai has and doesn’t have, and that construction company is a fucking gold mine.

Kai swallows roughly before turning to Charlie. “I’m not selling. To you or anyone else. St. Clair’s Construction is mine.”

“Well change the fucking name and stop embarrassing this family with your failures.” With that, Charlie stalks away, standing with my Dad and other men as they discuss what our next steps are.

“Kai,” I say, reaching out for him.

“Don’t.” He snatches away and walks over to the gathering. I growl in frustration before I walk over and join the discussion.

Kai is a fucking idiot. Father or not, I wouldn’t allow anyone to talk to me the way Charlie talks to him. Dad and I have gone toe to toe a number of times, but he’d never talk shit about meto the fucking enemy. Charlie takes some sort of sick pride in feeling like he’s knocking Kai down a peg or two. I swear I hate that fucking cocksucker.

From what the waitress saw, a white man with dark sunglasses and shaggy brown hair threw the Molotov cocktail. That’s not much to go on, since there are probably hundreds of men that fit that description from the Fensters and the Russians. Gavin and I didn’t see anything worth noting, so we’re all at square one.

The only thing we can do is meet with the Fensters and the Russians to try to sus out which one it might be. Dad and I still have our reservations about Juan and his family, but less so than the other two. We don’t trust anyone, but the Reyes family seemed the least likely to encroach on our territory.

“I’ll keep reaching out to try to get in touch with the Fensters and the Russians,” Dad says when no one has any bright ideas. “Hopefully by the time we figure all this shit out, we’re all still above ground.”

We disperse, not having anything else to discuss.

When I spot Charlie heading out, I walk behind him, catching up to him when he gets to the burned out restaurant. It’s covered in soot, most of the wall on the far end caved in from the height of the flames. It still smells strongly of smoke, so much so that I have to wave a hand in front of my face to get clear air.

Charlie glances over at me with a frown. “And you think my son’s shitty company can fix this? You’re fucking delusional.”

“No, you’re a fucking snake.” Charlie turns to me with a venomous expression. He doesn’t scare me. I meet his glare. “You just want his company for yourself. I see what you’re doing. Keep disparaging him so he’ll hand it over and you can take all the profits. How can you do that to your son? What, him being gay is that much of an issue that you don’t think he deserves anything else?”

“He deserves to burn in hell for embarrassing me with his perversion. My son, a fucking queer. How can any father stand to look at their kid when he turns out like that? All I’ve given him, and he likes dick.”

I rear back, looking at him incredulously. “You’re a fucking idiot.” His face reddens further, and his hand goes to the inside of his jacket. But I’m quicker. My gun is out and aimed at his forehead. Charlie freezes. “Don’t you fucking dare. You listen to me, and you listen good. Kai is mine. You will not talk to him anymore. You won’t come near him again. You’re done.”

“Too fucking easy,” Charlie snarls. “You can have him.”

“I already do.”

Kai chooses that moment to round the corner. “What the fuck? Carter, put your fucking gun down!” He rushes over and pushes my hand away, standing in front of Charlie. “What the fuck!”

“Your husband is just showing me who’s in charge, that’s all,” Charlie says easily. “Think about what I said, Kai. Give me that company and I’ll turn it around for you.” Then he saunters away without a backwards glance.

“You’re out of line,” Kai snarls, stepping into my space. “You don’t get to threaten my dad because you have a bug up your ass.”

“Well, excuse me for making sure your father doesn’t snatch your company from under you. Newsflash, Kai, he’s trying to take your company because it’s profitable.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” he whisper shouts. “I know him better than you do.”

“Yeah? Then you’ll know no matter how much you kiss his ass and try to be the perfect son, he’ll never fucking love you. Why do you insist on trying to get his approval when you’llneverget it?”

Kai rears back as if I slapped him. Hurt flashes in his eyes, and he’s not quick enough to cover it.

“Shit,” I say, my heart squeezing for a reason I can’t pin down. “Kai?—”

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