Page 3 of A Billionaire Gentleman

I was half-tempted to ask if, because it was my party, I could decide whether or not I wanted to mingle, but I knew it would be pointless to ask. All it would do was point out another way I wasn’t cut out to be part of Holden Enterprises.

I knew all too well that no one in the family thought I was cut out for any business, let alone something that had the excellent reputation this particular business had. Grandad had built it himself, using the money he’d gotten from his inheritance and his parents’ life insurance to create a billion-dollar company.

I pulled my attention back to the present as Cynthia excused herself to let the caterers know it was time to eat. While we waited, Grandad steered me to the next group over and introduced me to the people standing there. I knew them by sight and name, but I hadn’t really talked to any of them before. I’d never been the heir apparent, so there’d been no point until I’d followed through with schooling.

“So, Deklin, it looks like you’re following in the family’s footsteps like Davin, not going your own way like Damon.”

Lindberg Shreve was a big man with an even bigger presence. He’d known Grandad for years and was one of the best-known conservative judges in the area, even if Grandad didn’t always agree with his politics. They played golf together and had the occasional dinner. Every time they were at the same event, they shook hands and asked how the other was doing, even if they’d seen each other the week before at a different event.

Networking.

Grandad had technically retired eight years ago, but he was still involved, at least as much as he could without driving everyone completely crazy. Networking was one of the areas neither Dad or Davin liked, so they were more than happy to pass along that particular responsibility and focus on the more concrete aspects of the business.

“Yes, sir,” I said to Lindberg. “It’s what I’ve been working toward.”

“Were you at Texas Southern?” he asked. “My alma mater, you know.”

I shook my head, my smile tightening. “University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.”

His bushy eyebrows shot up. “You didn’t want to move there? Didn’t meet anyone who tempted you to become an East Coaster?”

To my even greater embarrassment, I flushed, my ears growing hot. I’d had a girlfriend a couple years back, but we’d broken up after eight months together. There hadn’t been anyone since. “No, sir. Never met anyone who would’ve made it worth leaving Houston.”

“Good to hear. Play the field as long as you can. Wish I still was.” He let out a loud belly laugh and then clapped me on my shoulder hard enough to make my knees threaten to buckle. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I see the good Scotch is being brought out.”

“That’s the key to Lindberg Shreve,” Grandad said. “Good Scotch and bragging about women.”

I could handle the first. The second would be an issue. I didn’t really have anything to brag about.

“This is how you handle public relations,” Grandad said, his tone even and matter-of-fact. “You find out what they like, where they go to school, all those sorts of details. It gives you something to talk about, so they don’t think that you’re only talking to them for business reasons. A lot of companies can brag about education, financial backing, that sort of thing, but what I built our business on is personal relationships.”

I’d heard this speech before. Dozens of times, in fact. Sometimes, it had been for Dad, sometimes for us kids. Davin had probably heard it more than anyone except Dad, who I was pretty sure had heard it along with his bedtime stories. Not that it’d done much good. Both Dad and Davin sucked at personal relationships. Davin could at least fake it with business contacts. Sort of.

Cynthia clapped her hands, and everyone quieted. “Jude and I would like to thank everyone for coming to help us celebrate Deklin’s college graduation. I know we’re all hungry, so we’ll save any speeches or toasts until after we eat.” She gestured toward the now-full food table before stepping out of the way.

I felt bad for her at things like this. She knew that people looked at her and Grandad and thought she was just after his money. Grandad was important enough that no one would dare say anything to her face, but there was plenty of talk behind her back. People could be real assholes.

Maybe the main reason I liked her was because, in our own ways, we were both outsiders through no faults of our own. No one took either of us seriously. Some younger wives and youngest sons might’ve loved the idea that they didn’t need to be responsible for anything important, but that wasn’t us. All we wanted was for people to see us the way we really were, and not what people assumed we were.

“Is something wrong?” Grandad asked, frowning at me.

“No.” I gave him a partial smile. “Just thinking about how different it’s going to be, working with Dad and Davin, rather than going to school. It’s been a long time since I haven’t been on a school schedule.”

“It’ll be good to have you here,” Grandad said. “I’m sure Walter and Davin are looking forward to working with you.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” I muttered. When he gave me a look, I explained, “I think they’re more worried about finding something for me to do that I can’t mess up.”

“We all have our strengths and weaknesses, Deklin,” he said. “Once you find your niche, you’ll excel, just like your brothers.”

I didn’t mention that I had no idea what my niche would be. No need to shake Grandad’s faith in me so soon.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get something to eat. I’ve got more people for you to meet.”

Maybethiswas actually my beginning at Holden Enterprises. I really hoped I didn’t fuck it all up.

Three

Sofi

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