Dare: A M/M Sci-Fi Romance (Mindset Duet Book 1)

33. Chapter 33

Jason was already up when Dare woke. It was barely oh six hundred as the empath blinked at the empty side of the bed, wondering why his lover was up so early. Shrugging, Dare used the bathroom, dressed, and went out into the main living area.

Jason was hunched over his comp, reading, then typing. Obviously not hearing the younger man come in, he jumped when the Mindset touched his shoulder as he sat next to him.

”Woah, J. It”s pretty early to be so wound up. Is everything okay?”

Stravetta shook himself, then leaned in for a kiss. ”Sorry. I was concentrating so hard I didn”t notice you. I”ve got a lot to do before I speak with my father, but at least I heard from the captain. The crew is thankfully ”on board” with this ship going private and off the Stravetta brand. None of them want to leave the ship, which is also a plus. That”s an enormous weight off my mind, not that I couldn”t have replaced some crew, but that I actually like all of them and didn”t want to disrupt their lives.”

Dare leaned into his shoulder. ”I know you”re a brilliant businessman, but how did that happen when you”re so nice to the people who work for you? I”m happy everyone”s staying, don”t get me wrong, but I”ve been wondering about that for a while.”

Jason frowned a little. ”Do you think that doing business means I have to be a bastard? Acting like an asshole only attracts other assholes. Being thoughtful and nice attracts allies and those who actually want to work with you. You may have noticed that I”m not a bastard or an asshole–except on rare occasions. I don”t like being that way and refuse to do business in that manner. I thought you knew that.”

The empath ducked his head. ”I do know that, but I guess my experiences with businessmen have been pretty crappy–even when they were clients. I think that made me question how being good equates to being successful. I get it now, so thanks for explaining.”

Stravetta shook his head slowly. ”Once again, we are washed up on the shore of our different backgrounds. I shouldn”t have assumed you”d know or understand what I do, or how I do it.”

Dare gave him a gentle poke in the side. ”Stop. It”s way too early for apologies, and it won”t be the last time one of us doesn”t understand something. You explained, I get it, and we”re good.”

”Okay then, crisis averted. Want to go have some breakfast in the mess? I”d like to mingle with my new employees.”

”By all means, Mr. Stravetta, let”s go review the troops.”

”Snark, all I get is snark.”

The Mindset grinned, took Jason”s hand, and led the way to the mess.

At Jason”s request, Captain Arends slowed the Gambit to a position just outside of Pluto. He knew Stravetta did not want to get too close to Earth for a variety of excellent reasons, and he concurred. Notifying his soon-to-be employer they were in position, Jason thanked him and signed off.

The businessman took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It was currently mid-afternoon on Earth. His father would be in his office per his public schedule. He let his anxiety wash through him, leaving only his resolve.

Accessing his holographic display, he tuned it so his image was crisp and absolutely clear. Inputting his father”s communication code, he stood up, keeping his body as relaxed as possible. Showtime.

His father, Edward, answered after only a few chimes since this number went directly to him, bypassing his staff. Jason”s hologram formed, standing with deceptive ease.

”Father.”

”Jason? I thought I”d be hearing from you soon. Are you in orbit?” He made an irritable gesture. ”No matter. Get down here with Derek and that Mindset. I have work here for them both, and it can”t wait.”

Jason shook his head, a slow, sharp smile forming on his lips. ”Father, you must be thinking that you can still tell me what to do. You cannot. If you wish to continue the Stravetta family business, then I urge you to listen to me now without interruption. If you choose not to comply, I will close this call and complete what I have set in motion.”

Edward narrowed his eyes, frowning. ”Are you threatening me?” He gave a mean chuckle. ”Just who do you think you are?”

Jason met his steely glance. ”I think I am the one who knows every illegal business deal, every suspicious death, and where every body is buried in the Stravetta Corporation. I have compiled a dossier and sent it to all the news outlets, my attorney, and various other trusted individuals to be accessed upon any injury to myself, the Mindset, or our deaths under suspicious circumstances. In order to prevent the destruction of the Stravetta family fortune, you will sign over this ship, Gambit, to me, leave my holdings and investments untouched, and forget you ever heard of the Mindset Dare Munro.”

Jason”s voice hardened. ”I will not be returning to Earth. The Mindset is in a safe location, and Derek has gone missing and is presumed dead. I did not kill him, or have him killed because, Father, I am not you. You placed him with me to spy on and undermine me. He tried, but again, failed.”

His father huffed, rolling his eyes. ”You think you can leave this family? We have cared for you, given you everything you have. This is how you repay that kindness? With betrayal?”

The younger Stravetta clenched his jaw, then made himself relax. ”You have used me my entire life, culminating in sending me to war with empty promises. When I returned, disfigured, and in pain, you ostracized me, finally sending me out on the Gambit for four years. Don”t pretend to care about me or have any feelings regarding my well-being. I am nothing to you other than a pawn in your despicable games.” He narrowed his eyes. ”Don”t talk to me about betrayal. This is justice, Father. You will give me what I ask, or you will fall. I will still have the ship, and my fortune, so whatever you decide to do doesn”t matter to me. I”m giving you this choice because I am the better man. Take it or leave it. Decide quickly.”

Edward”s expression was murderous. ”Your mother should have aborted you. If you do this, I will disown you, and blackball your name. You will be nothing, which is what you have always been, an ineffectual, puking milksop without backbone or spirit.”

Jason laughed softly. ”You prove my case, Father, by being honest with me about what you feel. If you think to hurt me, think again. I feel nothing for you but contempt. You have never been a father to me, and I am happy to leave you and this poisonous family behind. What is your decision?”

His father was silent, face red, his expression a rictus of hate. He typed furiously on his comp for a moment, hitting the ”send” hard enough to crack the key.

Jason checked the pad he was holding, seeing the title to the Gambit come up. He looked up into his father”s fulminating glower.

”Take that goddamned ship and leave this system. You are not welcome here and I declare you disowned by the Stravetta family. I know you have protected your assets, and your little fuck buddy, the Mindset. Take him and be damned, as he will probably kill you. If you release the information you have, I will not rest until you”re dead, and your Mindset along with you. Get out of my sight.”

The younger Stravetta gave his father one last bitter smile. ”I”d say it”s been a pleasure, but it never has been. Rest well, Father, knowing I hold your downfall in my hands. Fortunately for you, I have no desire to have anything more to do with you unless you force me to. However, your influence does not encompass Earth. The Gambit will stop there when needed, and you will leave her strictly alone. Remember my terms, even as I forget you.”

Jason disconnected the hologram transmission, walked over to his desk, and sat down carefully. He was shaking, but at least part of that was elation. It was over. He”d done it. They were safe and free. He sat quietly for a moment, thinking of his family, the price he”d paid, then let it go. Dare was his family now, as were those on his ship. A chosen family, connected by love.