Page 67 of Ireland

Their gazes locked. For a heartbeat, they just looked at each other, so many emotions flickering across his face. And likely hers. Then Ronan’s mouth curved in that slow, easy smile that made her pulse leap because it revealed so clearly that he was happy to see her. She could only stare back, longing for andresenting him in equal measure. He winked at her, and it struck her suddenly that he must not yet know about her mother’s shares.

Then again, neither did her brother.

“So, what else do I need to know?” Christopher prodded just as she refocused on him.

Everything in her recoiled against saying anything that might cause pain or anger. It went against her ingrained nature to disturb the peace in her family. “Well… with Mom gearing up to marry Daniel, she mentioned wanting to cut all financial ties with Dad. So” —she said the rest in a rush— “I’ve bought Mom out.”

Christopher stared at her unblinking for an endless minute. “What do you mean you bought Mom out?”

He had to have understood what she’d said. He just couldn’t believe it.

“I’ve bought the shares she was given in the divorce,” she restated. “I now own twenty-five percent of Vidal. McCaffery had been courting Mom, trying to buy the shares from her, which would’ve given them the majority. This way, McCaffrey and I are even. And you’re the tiebreaker.”

His gaze narrowed dangerously. “So, Dad is out? That’s it?”

“Yes, although I suggested he continue working with our artists because we need his magic touch, and he’s agreed. We worked out an appropriate salary, although if we don’t find a way to start making money, we won’t be able to afford him.”

“You’ve taken a majority position and made Dad anemployee?Am I hearing that right?”

Ireland rubbed at her increasingly upset stomach. She’d hardly slept or eaten since leaving Ronan’s hotel suite, only picking at the orange chicken Alina had brought her for dinner. Her stomach was an acidic mess, with a pot of coffee being theonly thing she’d had so far that morning. “It’s the only way to keep Dad here,” she said simply.

Sitting back, Christopher ruffled his hair absently, his thoughts clearly running through everything he’d learned. “When did you find out about all of this?”

“Sunday morning.” She looked at Ronan as he moved away from the reception desk and headed toward the conference room. He settled on the far side of the conference table, with her in his direct line of sight. Knowing he was watching her increased her nervousness to an unbearable degree. She hadn’t forgotten that reading lips was one of his talents.

“Two days,” Christopher snapped. “You’ve known about this fortwo days? And I’m just now hearing about this?”

She wanted to point out that she’d felt precisely what he was feeling after discovering the entire family—except possibly their mother—had known about Graham for days before she was told. However, her primary focus was keeping them all connected and working together rather than against each other. Her childhood had been fraught with ruptures in the family, a pervasive sense of bitterness and resentment, all glossed over by her mother’s need to keep up appearances.

Ireland could only shrug helplessly, unable to accuse their father of failing to keep them both in the loop.

Christopher leaped to his feet, filled with restless energy that worsened her anxiety. “You guys all saw the deadline coming and didn’t tell Gideon or me? You just let this McCaffrey group seize Dad’s shares?”

“Gideon has already bailed us out before.” It felt like she was vibrating inside, so violently she might rattle into pieces where she sat.

“So what?” he countered angrily. “Way better—waaay—to have family running things than some outside outfit! Now we’rerelying on some equity group with no clue about the music biz to get us back on track?”

The room tilted a little as Ireland looked up at her brother with a pounding heart. “McCaffrey doesn’t want to turn Vidal around. They want to shut it down. Permanently.”

He stared at her with the kind of hot, mean look he used to reserve for Gideon. “Are you fucking kidding me?” he yelled, drawing the attention of their receptionist. “We had the chance to shut these guys down, but you all just decided to hold the door open for them? What the hell were you thinking?”

“Christopher—”

“Dad couldn’t afford to buy Mom’s shares, soyou’resweeping in to save the day? Is this supposed to demonstrate that you’re ready to step up? Or have you been thinking that you can run things better this whole time?”

“I’m trying to save the company for you!” she argued, her throat so tight and dry it ached. “For your kids and?—”

“You could’ve told me what was happening and let me help!” He threw up his hands, and the violent motion made her recoil back onto the sofa. “We’d be solid now.Ihave zero problem talking to Gideon about saving this company. Running a business doesn’t mean you do it all yourself. You have to ask for help when it’s needed!”

It was so painful to look at her brother’s furious face that Ireland’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I’m not afraid to ask Gideon. But he’s got his own problems. If you and I can’t save Vidal, maybe we’re not meant to have it.”

“Jesus Christ!” He stood over her, casting a shadow that deepened the chill inside her. “So, you’re good with letting the company go under rather than ask your brothers for help? Wait until Gideon finds out about this. As pissed as I am, how do you think he’s going to react?”

“I hope he respects my intentions.”

“Really? What was the point of buying Mom’s shares if you’re unwilling to do everything possible to save Vidal? Whatever you think you’re proving, you’re missing the mark by a mile!”

“I’m not trying to prove anything,” she said curtly, staring at the laces on his chestnut oxfords. “I’m trying to keep the company afloat.”

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