Page 119 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

I loved that Jess got to him. Fucking bastard. I still hadn’t forgiven him for kidnapping my sister or terrorizing my girl and didn’t think I ever would. It didn’t matter that it’d only been a day, twenty years from now I’d still hate him.

“About those shares Jareth,”

“I’m still not planning to sell to you, Jess.”

“Jareth, come on.” She pounded her fist against the console.

“If your fact-finding mission turns up nothing, you still need me and my shares.”

“I’m not letting you destroy the company my grandparents built.”

“Then we’re at an impasse I suppose.” Jareth steepled his fingers.

I was getting sick of looking at his face and ended the call.

“What the fuck, Alden?” Jess’s eyes widened.

“He wasn’t going to change his mind.”

“Not when you hung up like that on him. Alden, I need those shares. Without them my parents are still majority shareholders. Maybe Jareth would be willing to sign a contract with me and we can work together.” She turned to look out the window, her arms wrapped around her middle.

I hated that the console was between us and ran my hand down her arm. “We’ll figure something out. I’ll apologize to him if I have to,” I choked out. I’d only do that for her.

My phone rang.

“Is it, Gage?” Jess asked, her body straightening as she looked at the face of my phone.

I nodded and made sure the phone was on speaker when I answered.

“Good news or bad news?” Gage asked.

“Why is there always bad news?” Jess groaned.

“Good,” I answered for her.

“I have a bank location where the number on the key matched a box associated with the company.”

“No fucking way,” Jess whispered. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

I stayed silent.

“The bad is that neither Jess’s name or Jareth’s is on the rental agreement.”

“Fucking shit.” Jess slammed her hand down on her leg.

“Jess, do you know a Lynette Bradberry?” Gage asked.

“Uh, yeah. She was my grandmother’s secretary for years. She stayed on the first year after she died and then retired. Why?”

“In addition to your parent’s names, hers is also listed.”

I hated even voicing this. “Is she still alive?”

Jess squeezed my hand and grinned. “Yeah, she is.”

“Do you think she’ll help?” I asked.

She nodded. “I know she will.”

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