Page 57 of Tempest

“Isn’t that what you have, Stuart? I don’t remember you being a very dedicated student. In fact, weren’t you put on academic probation junior year?”

“None of that matters. My family has been in the oil business for over fifty years.”

“I heard the company lost a lot up in Barnett. I don’t know that you have the financial wherewithal to be a serious contender in the bid for Bellows Energy,” Colin stated.

The waitress delivered their drinks, and Stuart grabbed his and took a healthy gulp. “The oil business isn’t just about having cash; it’s has a lot to do with who you know. A lot can happen to a company if you don’t have the right alliances.” Stuart sat back and smiled. “Making sure things run smoothly can be guaranteed if you have the right people in your corner.”

Colin sat forward in his chair and stared at Stuart. “That sounds like a veiled threat, which I’m sure isn’t what you meant.”

Stuart shrugged like he didn’t have a care in the world. That set Ryan’s temper on fire. What the hell kind of game was he playing? Phoebe had given them some initial intel, and he knew the family company had nowhere near enough money to purchase Bellows Energy. “What are you offering?” Ryan asked. It seemed like a good idea to get as much information as they could. Colin threw him a look, and he stared back and prayed to God that he kept his cool.

Stuart sat up, gave them a gratuitous smile, and spread his hands out. “A merger.”

“A what?” Ivy sputtered.

“A merger. The Reardon Company has contacts all over the state that can ensure Bellows Energy never has a problem at the wells down in Midland. We know the right contractors to hire that will ensure the oil that comes out of the ground gets where it needs to go.”

Ryan saw Ivy’s face get red and knew she was about to blow. They didn’t need to tip their hands, so he rested his hand on hers. “Tell you what, Stuart. We’ll keep your idea in mind and let you know in a couple of weeks.”

He felt Ivy stiffen, and he hoped that she didn’t lose her temper. If they played it cool, then Stuart walked away thinking he had a shot. The last thing they needed was him to be more desperate than he was. Standing, Ryan pulled out his wallet and threw some cash on the table. “We have plans, so please excuse us.” He held out his hand to Ivy and silently willed her to cooperate. When she slid her hand in his, he let out a breath. “Ready, Colin? I think Phoebe’s waiting for us.” He knew that would get Colin’s feet moving faster than anything else. “We’ll be in touch,” he called, as he led the group away from the bar. Ivy strode ahead of him, and he knew by the way she held her shoulders that she was pissed. Which was fine…as long as the blowup happened in the car.

Leaning over, Colin murmured in his ear, “What the fuck, man?”

“Stuart is full of shit and desperate. That was the saddest shakedown I’ve ever seen. It tells us that he and his father are reckless. Desperate people do stupid shit. Let’s not give him fuel to blow himself and us up. In that little pea brain of his, he thinks he had a win, and we want him to think that until we figure out what he’s up to and how far he’s willing to go.”

“You’re right.” They walked out to the valet, and Colin shoved his hands in his pockets. “The guy is an asshole, and I let him get to me.”

“It’s personal for you, so it makes sense,” Ryan responded as he handed the attendant the ticket for the car. Leaning over, he looked at Ivy’s face. “You can yell at me in the car.”

“I’m not going to yell, because I’m too mad.”

“Are you sure? I think if you got it out, then you’d feel better.”

“You made me look like a fool in there. Like I wasn’t capable of speaking my mind.”

“I did no such thing.” He tried to take her hand and she shook him off. “I didn’t want you to annihilate the guy in public. We need him to think that he has a chance at whatever harebrained scheme he’s cooked up.”

Their car was delivered, and Ryan held the door and helped her in. When she was seated, he leaned in. “You’re the smartest person I know, and I want to keep you safe. People who are as stupid as Stuart are dangerous. I want to figure out what he’s up to so I can protect you. I’m sorry that I hurt your feelings.”

“Thank you.” Buckling her belt, she sat back. “Just don’t ever make me look stupid again.”

“Honey, that’s impossible to do, because you’re smarter than all of us.” He kissed her cheek and then closed the door. Running around the front, he handed the valet a tip and climbed into the car. “I guess we need to see what Phoebe has dug up on the Reardon family.”

“I thought they were out of the game,” Colin said from the back seat. “When Nelson was being escorted out of the restaurant, I thought that was the last we’d ever see of him.”

“Apparently, the Reardons have one desperate last shot in them. I hope no one gets hurt while this plays out,” Ivy said quietly. “Whatever happened between Daddy and Nelson isn’t over yet.”

***

Stuart pulled out his phone and dialed the number that he knew would ensure Colin and Ivy took his suggestion seriously. When the call was answered, he gave his instructions. “It’s time. Make sure there is substantial damage.” He pressed the button and ended the call. A current of satisfaction rolled down his back. It had been far too long since he’d felt that. No one believed that he was capable of bringing the Reardon Company back to life, and he couldn’t wait to prove them all wrong. His father was on the brink of mental collapse, and he knew if could revive the family fortune, then his father might fight for a full recovery. As far as he could tell, this was all Bill’s fault. He owed them this, and it didn’t matter how it happened. Colin and Ivy would soon learn that.

There was a commotion at the end of the room, and he turned around to see what was happening. A woman with bright red hair was arguing with someone who worked for the hotel. A bad feeling blew up in his stomach, and he prayed to God that it wasn’t who he thought it was. No way was she that stupid. Turning around quickly, he hoped she was here for someone else. He lifted his drink, took a calming sip, and then studied his phone. If he was lucky, she wouldn’t spot him, and he could avoid the inevitable confrontation. The unholy alliance that he’d created with her was causing more problems than he cared to deal with. A couple of minutes passed, and he hoped that she had left. He kept his eyes focused on his phone until a pair of red pumps came into view. Shit on a shingle. Raising his eyes slowly, he looked into Sherry Lane’s angry green gaze and knew she wouldn’t go quietly. “Hey, Sherry. Long time no see.” He lifted his mouth in what he hoped was a sincere-looking smile.

“Cut the shit, Stuart. I’m not buying it.” She sat in the chair next to him and crossed her legs. “Had a hell of a time getting in here. The bar manger didn’t want me to proposition any of the customers. No one treated me that way when I was with Bill. I was shown some respect.”

Letting his eyes run up her showgirl legs, he let out a breath. It wasn’t respect for her. It was respect for Bill Bellows and his bank account. Everyone understood the power of oil money, and Bill had managed to amass a ton of it over the last ten years. “Things change, Sherry. What can you do?” Ideally, she would say her piece and then leave without making a spectacle of herself. “So, what brings you to the Four Seasons?”

“Your secretary told me where to find you. I decided that I’ve been ignored for long enough.”

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