Page 4 of Why Not Forever?

I don’t speak as I wait for Richard to continue.

“So that leaves me with no one to hand the reins of my company to.”

I blink. “Wait a second. What about Vic?”

“Victoria? I can’t give Sterling Properties to her.” He says the statement like the very idea is ludicrous, then takes a sip of his very expensive scotch.

“Why not?” I ask, mirroring his sip with one of my own. I don’t usually like scotch, but when the boss buys it for you, you drink it. “Blue Vista has been doing great. They bought a second location earlier this year, and from what I hear, it’ll be open in August and is already fully booked for the rest of the summer. They’ve been growing and making excellent dividends.”

Over the years, I’ve tried not to pay attention to Vic’s personal life, even though her father mentions her to me frequently and I see her at the Sterling family dinners that I’ve been required to attend since my last promotion. But I follow her business carefully, cheering her on from afar as it grows.

It’s funny how things work out. I got the position she always wanted, and she’s out there living my dream of entrepreneurship.

Richard rolls his eyes. “Sterling is not the same as some wedding venue. We are positioned globally. What would it look like to have a woman at the helm?”

“It would look like you have faith in your daughter,” I say, my voice flat.

“I’m sure she can run her little business just fine. But I’m not giving her Sterling.”

Vic hasn’t spoken more than a handful of words to me over the past seven years, despite the family dinners I’ve attended. But the rage that fills me on her behalf is indescribable. A rage that stutters with what he says next.

“I’d like to give it to you.”

I catch myself before my mouth can drop open. “Excuse me?”

He smiles as he takes another sip of his scotch.

I don’t mirror him this time. “You wantmeto take over Sterling?”

“You’ve become like a son to me, Tanner. You’ve done incredibly well, and you could be great in the role of CEO. I won’t lie. Your promotion a couple years ago was to see how you fare in a leadership role at Sterling. I’ve been impressed. I had actually thought it would take at least another three years before I might be comfortable handing the reins to you, but you’ve exceeded my expectations in every regard.”

I’m under no illusions thatlike a sonis code for he knows how to control me because I’ve let him think he can. Admittedly, I’ve allowed Richard to manipulate me sometimes because he knows how to make it worth my while. But I also know every time he’s doing it. Like right now.

“So would I be CEO? Or owner?” I ask, because I’ve learned a lot from Richard Sterling. Not the least is: the devil’s in the details.

“Both,” he says with a grimace. “Karen insists I take a full step back. I figured you’d be promoted to CEO, and I’d transfer fifty per cent of the shares to you. This would make you majority shareholder.”

“You have seventy-five per cent shares,” I point out.

He chuckles. “You can’t expect me to give up everything.”

I lean back in my chair and consider the man across from me. I really have learned a lot from him over the years. Don’t fidget when you’re nervous. Mirror the person you’re speaking with to put them at ease. Never show emotions on your face. And, if a deal sounds too good to be true…

“What’s the catch?”

“Ah, yes. The catch. Well, you see, Tanner, the name of the company isSterlingProperties. NotMarcusProperties. Before I give you my company, I need you to become a Sterling.”

I set my elbows on the table, adjusting my glasses before I clasp my hands in front of my face. My body language is supposed to portray interest, but I really need to do something to keep myself from clenching my fists.

“What exactly are you proposing?”

“Interesting choice of words,” Richard says, taking another sip of his scotch, drawing this out for his own amusement. Sometimes, I hate this man. “You know my daughter’s choice of significant others has been…” he hesitates even though I’m certain he doesn’t care if he’s being polite or not. “Less than what her mother and I would hope.”

What he means is Vic has been mostly dating women for the past several years. Or at least she’s only ever introduced women to her parents. They pretend to accept her in front of people, but I know what Richard says behind closed doors, and it makes my rage burn a little hotter. There are many reasons why I’ve wanted to quit Sterling for the past five years. Richard Sterling is a big part of that.

He leans forward as though we’re conspiring together. I fight not to lean backward.

“Marry my daughter. It’s what’s best for everyone. You’ll become majority shareholder. The business stays in the family. And she’ll get a stable man in her life, put all this bisexual nonsense aside. Win-win.”

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