Chapter 22 Callisto #2
“You’re right, but that kind of shock is exactly the reasons shareholders might agree to a takeover.
” He spreads his hands, smiling innocently.
“A reputable family with over fifty years of operations moves in to shore up a giant financial institution. Panicked investors will beg us to return stability to the company.”
I stroke my jaw, studying him. It’d take an enormous gamble on our part, but Lector seems confident he can recover the losses.
He tips his head and points to the phone. “How about we call the big boss upstairs and see what he says?”
I nod mutely.
He hums knowingly and dials the phone again. His brother, Simon, CEO of Wren Enterprises, answers. “Hey, little bro. Are you calling about the quarterlies?”
Lector holds my gaze as he says, “Something better than that. How do you feel about finally going into the finance sector? I just had a door open wide for us.”
“Which one?”
“Alpha Cash.”
Simon whistles. “You really know how to tempt a man.”
Lector laughs. “Well, you can thank our son for that. He brought me a worm too juicy to resist.”
“Calli did?”
“Yeah, he’s sitting right here with me.”
“In your office? Calli?” He sounds so surprised, like he expects Lector to be playing a prank on him.
“Now you make me feel like a complete asshole,” I grumble.
“Hi, Calli,” Simon says, a smile in his voice. “Maybe just an incomplete one.”
Lector swallows a guffaw before saying, “Be nice. Like I said, this job will be thanks to Calli.”
“Okay, spell it out for me.”
“Aggressive takeover. I’d say we have three months or less. This will be rougher than the Palmear incident.”
Simon whistles. “Then we’ll shelve the summer expansion project. Capital?”
“First estimate, 150 billion.”
“Shit, Lector. You’re talking about an all-in? You sure it’s worth it?”
My stomach curls in on itself. Even for someone raised in affluence, these numbers are insane.
Lector’s talking about staking the entire Wren net worth, plus more, on this takeover.
I sip my coffee, letting the bitter black drink ground me.
I shouldn’t panic. The savvy CFO wouldn’t buy a single stock unless he was sure it would move in his favor.
Lector across the desk leans back and grins. “Well, I’d say that’s about the right amount to celebrate the first time our boy steps foot in the office.”
I choke, spraying coffee all over my sleeve.
Lector laughs as I scramble to contain the coffee running down my mouth and suit. He slides his chair back and fetches me a handful of tissues.
Simon chuckles too. “You’re adorable, Lec, and I’d say you’re right. I’ll call the board meeting for the day after tomorrow, so you’d better work overtime running the prelims.”
The way they talk flows so naturally, like a river running its course.
These brothers trust each other, and the reminder makes me miss Ricky something fierce.
We used to be like this, finishing each other’s sentences and knowing what the other thought with just a look.
But somewhere along the way, I left him behind, and we lost our sync-step.
I lost my way.
And then that moment in the Omega Center suite happened where I had him naked in my arms and everything felt right again.
“He’s so shocked he can’t speak,” Lector says, smirking.
Heat blooms on my neck. How did I go from multi-billion-dollar boardrooms to Rickon Jones?
I clear my throat. “Lector, I’m not sure this is the right move. The guy we’re chasing—”
“Let me stop you right there.” He puts his hand up. “First, don’t go talking about details. And second, when’s the last time you ever did anything personal? For a few years there, Simon and I feared your soul had shrunk right up.”
I wince.
He ignores my discomfort. “But in the last few months, it’s like you’re coming back to life. Son, you’re the only heir to a multi-billion-dollar company. Everything Alistair worked so hard for is yours. If you want to flex some muscle, and it’s for a good cause, that’s why we’re here.”
My throat constricts.
Lector grins, that gleam back in his eyes.
“Plus, it was already on my list. I’ve run a lot of numbers, and I believe it’s a good opportunity.
” He knocks his knuckle on the acquisitions list. “Otherwise it wouldn’t have been top three on my radar.
” He scoots his chair back from the desk and swivels side to side, gazing at me. “What do you want, Calli?”
Something I want? I want to squeeze the oxygen from Ray’s fires one by one. Let him see my name on his handiwork, and Red’s name on anything that’s left. And this way is legal. Well, more or less.
I scrub my hand over my face. “Yeah.” I suck in a shuddery breath. “Let’s shut that bastard down from every angle.” I lift my gaze, meeting Lector’s with full intensity. “You’ll be raising capital, right?”
Lector nods.
“Well, I want in; I want a big share.” Just watch. I will strangle that son of a bitch with my own hands.
He grins. “That’s the spirit. Alpha Cash will never see us coming.”
He gets up and comes around the desk, and I rise, giving him a hug before even thinking about it.
I’m halfway to the door when I remember something.
“It’s not Alistair’s money,” I tell him.
“It’s your money too. I know how hard you worked here, and I never once doubted that you’d do an amazing job. ”
Lector’s smile wreaths his whole face. “Thanks, son. It’s nice to hear you say so.”
I nod and leave, feeling lighter than when I walked in. Piece by piece, we’ll dismantle Ray’s assets and shut off his money taps. As his empire burns to the ground, he’ll curse the day he ever laid his hands on my omega.
Now I’d better go liquidate some assets. And I should get in touch with Dodge and see if I can use the hitman fee for information instead.
But first, I’m gonna call Rickon. Never again will I ignore the impulse to text or call.