Page 32 of Devil May Hunt
But she probably didn’t.
The second he’d told her and his father he wasn’t going to inherit the company, the two of them had mostly washed their hands of him. They kept up appearances for the sake of their reputations, but that was the extent of it.
“Right now?” Brennon frowned. He was never called to the office. “Why?”
“We’ve decided to sell the business,” she replied curtly. “Since your grandmother left you shares, you’re technically a member of the board. You don’t need to be here for the meeting, but I need you to sign a few documents in person.”
“What?!” Brennon shot up and wavered on his feet, catching himself with a palm against the table. Holy shit. Rin was right. He was way too sick for this.
“Don’t be so surprised,” his mother stated. “With no heir to take over, it doesn’t make sense for us to continue slaving away at the company, not when there’s a better offer. Just get here as quickly as you can. I know you don’t have classes today,so don’t bother making excuses.” She hung up without giving him the chance.
Brennon stared at his device for a moment, trying to process what he’d just been told. Cree Cosmetics had been in the family for three generations, and they were selling it? Just like that? On a whim? As far as he knew, they hadn’t listed it and weren’t intending to give it away.
If they sold it…what about him?
He’d keep his shares, but there’d be no chance of him ever changing his mind and taking over. He’d always hoped…
Fuck.
“I have to go.” He rubbed at his temple, fingers coming back damp from sweat.
“Like this?” Rin frowned and stood. “At least let me drive you.”
He stared at him. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
“I’ve always treated you this way.”
Brennon shook his head. “Not for a while you haven’t.”
“You said it yourself, you’re over it.” Rin shrugged and motioned toward the exit. “Come on. I’m guessing your mother summoned you or something like that. I’ll drive. If you try to get anywhere on your own, you might pass out in the streets. I’m already down two friends.”
Oh, that explained it. Rin was trying to act like everything was normal because right now there was no one else to hang out with.
“Stop that,” Rin scolded, and when Brennon frowned, he rolled his eyes. “I was never mad you developed a crush on me. I was mad you tried to kiss me when I was wasted and clearly already into someone else. Now that you’ve basically experienced the same thing? I’m guessing you’ve realized how crappy it feels.”
“Pretty sure Gunho took things further than an attempted kiss,” he said, “but I’m seeing your point. So, we’re…okay? Just like that?”
“If you ever hit on me again, I’ll shove your head into the toilet and let you choke on dirty water.” He put his hands into the pockets of his black commando pants. “You’ve been different all week. Distracted. Sila claims to have had good intentions, but my brother can be seriously misguided. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Just sick.” He smiled reassuringly. “It’s not like it was my first one-night stand.”
Rin gave him a look.
Okay, it had been. But so what? That didn’t mean it had any significance.
“Are we going or what?” He picked up his tray and headed to the drop-off station, using the excuse of not wanting to keep his mother waiting as a way to end the conversation.
He didn’t want to think about the alpha right now.
Not when it made the odd cramping in his lower belly more persistent.
Chapter 10:
“What are they feeding you at the Academy? You look awful,” his mother’s voice came through the holopad set on the wide desk in her office on the forty-seventh floor of Cree Cosmetics' main building.
She’d stepped out by the time Brennon had arrived and had video called him to walk him through what needed to be done.
At least she hadn’t left it up to her secretary.
