“You would, if you didn’t have a criminal record.”
Carter hid the flinch of rage that pricked at his throat when Austin interrupted him. In truth, Carter couldn’t have given two shits about the money. He never had. What he cared about was that he was the rightful owner of the shares of which Austin spoke. Adam, who placed a very formal-looking document in front of Carter, broke the game of stare-down between Carter and Austin.
“You haven’t brought any legal representation,” Adam said pointedly. “It would be better if—”
“I can read, Adam. Just explain what it says and cut to the chase,” Carter barked, making his cousin flinch. “My lawyer can peruse that shit at his leisure.”
Adam fiddled with his cuffs and exhaled. “Upon dilution of your current shares, the money you receive monthly would be tripled. For life,” he said. “Instead of paying for an acquisition with shares, we’re offering you new shares in the firm. Shares worth in the region of five million—”
Carter snorted in derision. “Five million? Are you shitting me?”
He looked incredulously from Adam to Austin and back again. Both men remained silent. Carter rubbed his face in disbelief, aching for a smoke. “We all know the shares I own are in excess of five hundred million,” he scoffed. “I was expecting to be impressed with your offer, not insulted.” Carter pushed the papers across Austin’s desk and slammed back in his seat. “Try again.”
Austin visibly bristled and took a deep breath that made his shoulders lift. “For someone who claims to not give a shit about the business, you sure seem to be protective and knowledgeable about it all.”
“Austin,” Carter fumed. “There is a huge fucking difference between not giving a shit and not appreciating being handled and played by an asshole who thinks he’s God’s gift because he wears an expensive suit. I went to prison, not fucking dunce school. Your offer is shit. You know it. I know it. So, like I said, try again.”
The silence was deafening. “Fine,” Austin murmured. “I’ll get my law team and finance team to reevaluate, and we’ll get back to you.”
“Can’t wait,” Carter retorted. “May I be excused?” he asked with his hands on the arms of his chair.
Austin didn’t answer but dipped his chin minutely, his stare fierce and angry.
“Thank fuck,” Carter grumbled. “I have a literature session to get to.”
As Carter stood, he noticed both his cousins react instantly to his words. Adam, who was still standing to Carter’s left, shifted nervously, while Austin rubbed his palms together.
“Oh yes,” Austin said as Carter began walking across the office. “How is Kat?”
Carter froze with his hand on the door and gripped the cold steel in his fist. The question hung around the room like a putrid smell. It was, to anyone who didn’t know better, a simple, polite question. To Carter, the question reeked of a possessiveness that nobody but him had any right to feel. How the fuck did he know Kat?
Carter’s heart pinched. He turned slowly, attempting to keep his expression neutral. Still, as soon as his eyes met Austin’s, Carter knew he was on thin ice. Asshole knew. What exactly wasn’t clear, but he knew something. Carter’s eyes darted to Adam, who was now apparently fascinated with his shoes.
Carter took a breath. “Kat,” he replied through a tight throat, “is just fine.”
Like a snake ready to strike, Austin smiled. “Oh, good,” he said with too much enthusiasm. “I was hoping she was.”
“Were you?” Carter seethed. His right eye twitched and his nostrils flared.
“Absolutely,” Austin replied, standing from his seat. He moved around his desk. “Oh, didn’t you know? Adam’s engaged to Beth, who’s known Kat for years. We’re friends, Kat and I. I knew she had family to see in DC and Chicago, so I haven’t seen her since her birthday party.”
Carter swallowed and bit his tongue so hard he could taste blood. “Birthday party?”
It was then that Carter noticed the absence of Austin’s wedding ring.
“Oh, yeah,” Austin answered. “We had dinner. Then I drove her home. We had a great time.” He fucking grinned. “She loved my gift. She’s a great girl. Beautiful, too, but I guess … you know that.”
Carter shook with ferocious violence.
Austin and Kat had dinner? She’d been with him. In his car. Alone? Had she invited him up to her apartment? Did that mean they’d …?
Bile rose in his throat at the same time an agonizing pain hacked through him.
Austin continued. “I’m planning to take her out again, you know, go on a date and get her mind off work and less important matters.” Austin gestured toward Carter and grinned. “Like her students.”