Page 128 of Entwined (Monarch)

Matthew brought our presentation up, synced it to the projector. “Welcome to Monarchessa. A Blaire Brothers Hotel.”

“Blaire Brothers?” my father asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. After doing a lot of research on the area, Michael and I—mostly Michael—have revamped your original idea, creating a hotel we feel reflects the people and ambiance of Monarch.”

My brother flicked through the images Mosby had recreated as I continued, “We want to build on your enterprise, our enterprise. Our name. But we want to branch out on our own.”

“I see. And does this vision include the winery?”

“Allan, I told you to leave the winery out of this,” Stephanie cut in.

“I know. But I know how much you loved it.”

“And I told you that it would be part of the hotel’s appeal.”

“I wanted to surprise you . . . A gift.”

“And I told you no. I wasn’t being coy when I told you I didn’t want it, Allan. The hotel is already more than enough.”

“But—”

“We’ll discuss this later,” she cut him off with a raised eyebrow. The look she gave him dared him to rebut.

He looked like a fish gulping for air until he finally shut his mouth. He clasped his hands and sat back with a proud grin. “You can see who’s really in charge around here.” He chuckled, daring a glance at Stephanie.

Her stance didn’t falter for one instant.

Knowing she had him by the balls, he cleared his throat. “Please, continue.”

“As you can see, the new design uses a more open concept. This design merges the luxury of the E Hotels our patrons expect with the Moretti Vineyard. We plan to use Italian inspiration to unite our properties.”

Matthew presented our ideas with expertise and confidence. I stepped in occasionally, expanding on his words, demonstrating our alliance.

“I love it,” Stephanie said, a quiet sense of awe in her tone. “I’ve always thought there should be a different feel for this property, but I just figured,what do I know?You know?” She shrugged with a chuckle.

“I’m glad you like it,” I said.

“I do. You captured what I loved about the area.”

“Everything ties together now. The properties complement each other, and there’s a smooth transition from one to the other.”

“You’d never know they weren’t connected.”

“Exactly,” I agreed, my frustration with her from earlier completely purged. I was relieved that she could see what Matthew and I envisioned. The potential we anticipated.

But our father held all the cards. If he didn’t like it, we were screwed. “Dad?” Matthew asked.

I sent up a silent prayer for his approval.

“I’m impressed. I’ve been hoping you would do this at some point . . . for a long time.”

“You did? You have?” Matthew and I asked in unison.

“Yes. Why do you think I sent you to properties that weren’t your first choices?” When we didn’t answer, he continued, “To get you to open those stubborn minds of yours and realize the potential you had. I didn’t think you’d come up with something like this, a subsidiary of E Enterprises. But I like it.”

“You do?”

“Yes. But—”

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