Page 10 of Worth Every Penny
“It’s different now.”
“How? How is it different? He’s still the same ambitious bastard he was back then. He completely screwed Dad over.” The pitch of my voice is rising, but I can’t stop. “He might as well have murdered him with his own hands—”
“Kate, please. I don’t want to fight about this. Be reasonable.”
Be reasonable? I might not own the company like Jack does, but I am his sister. Doing the deal behind my back feels like a betrayal. And doing it with Nico Hawkston? That’s the worst.
I cross my arms to contain the heat expanding in my chest.
“I’m not denying that this is hard.” Jack reaches out to touch me, then decides against it and lets his arm fall. “He was my father too. But if there’s one thing I know about Nico, it’s that he’s incredibly loyal—”
“Are you joking? Because I don’t see that at all.”
Jack’s eyes swivel to the door, where the first guests are trickling in. I can tell he wants to tell me to keep it down, but instead he steps closer and lowers his voice. “Can you just trust me on this?”
“Is it about the money? Because—”
“No. It’s not the money, although I’d be lying if I said it didn’t matter. The money represents what we’ve done. What we’ve achieved. We aren’t in opposition here. Can’t you see that? This is how we honour Dad. You with the spa project, and me with the sale. Dad wanted both of those things. You know he did.”
I take a moment to consider this. Dad did want the sale, but if he had known how it would play out, I doubt he would have pursued it. “The spa project didn’t fucking kill him, though, did it?” Bitterness spills from my words.
Jack lowers his head, rubs the back of his neck, then looks back at me. “Let’s discuss this later. When you’ve had time to digest it.”
“I don’t need time,” I snap. “Do not sign the company over to that man.”
“I’m not asking your permission.”Of course, he isn’t. “Here.” He takes a rolled up sheaf of papers out of his pocket and holds it out to me. “Take a look at the contract.”
There’s already a contract? I stare at it but make no move to take it. “How long have you been in negotiations?”
“A few weeks.”
An unpleasant sensation throbs at my solar plexus.They’ve left me out.“Why didn’t you tell me? Didn’t you trust me?”
A tiny muscle on Jack’s jaw clenches and relaxes. “I had to make the best choice for the company, and Nico is it. This is business, and I knew you’d get personal.”
Itispersonal. Not telling me until the last minute feels calculated… but I don’t want to ruin Jack’s party by throwing a full-on tantrum.
The crowd of people by the entrance has grown. They’re spilling into the room. We’ve got seconds to bring this conversation to a close before the swarm of well-wishers reaches us.
Jack forces the contract into my hand. “Read it over. It’s a lot of money. Too much to say no to. We won’t get better than this.”
My fingers cinch around the paper, crumpling it. I’d tear the damn thing up if I dared, but as much as I would love to deny it, I want to know how much money Nico’s laying on the line for the business.
“What about my spa project?” I breathe. “I had news to tell you about it.” I’d been so happy about my progress, but what with Mum dismissing it and now Jack telling me he’s selling the company, I feel foolish. Childish, even. Out of nowhere, my throat gets a little choked up.
Jack leans towards me, looking concerned. “What news? Tell me?” His voice is gentle.
The urge to cry is so fierce that I’m sure my eyes must be wet, but when I wipe them with my fingertips, they come away dry. “I’m finally getting traction. I had a meeting with David Webster earlier and he’s agreed to do it. We’re building Dad’s spa.”
Jack’s face breaks into a smile of genuine warmth. “Oh, Kate. That’s incredible. Well done.”
I swallow back the lump that’s sprouted in my throat. “Does it even matter now that you’re selling everything?”
Jack pulls me into another hug, and for a few moments, I soak it up. “Of course it matters. This is huge.” He squeezes me, then pushes me away, his hands clamped to my upper arms. “You’ve worked hard for this. Dad would be so proud.”
This is the recognition I wanted when I told Mum earlier, and finally hearing it from Jack only intensifies my emotions, which are already running riot tonight. By the time I extract myself from his hold, my throat is completely choked up. “Thanks,” I croak.
“You’ll get to keep the project,” Jack adds. “Nico will let you manage it.”