Chapter 4 #2
April frowns, but her pursed lips tell me she’s not happy with my answer.
I may be the number one architect in this field, but there’s a reason Kat hasn’t approached me or my firm. As she has told me many times over the past sixteen years, she’d rather stick pins in her eyes than be forced to spend any length of time in my company.
“I don’t know what you did to piss my sister off, but she really knows how to hold a bloody grudge.”
Caleb tuts, his unasked question clear.
I ignore it.
“You used to be such good friends before Kat got together with Zach. I always assumed it would be you she shacked up with, not him,” Elijah adds.
I concentrate on the mouthful of food I’ve just eaten, but it catches in my throat, causing me to choke.
Caleb whacks me on the back.
Across the table, Pen’s gaze locks on mine, and for the first time, I wonder what she knows.
“That was a long time ago,” I say quietly.
“She could really do with your help,” Caleb says, clearly choosing to ignore my previous comment.
I turn to face him. “Cal, I’m the last person Kat would accept help from, or agree to work with, for that matter. You’re wasting your breath.”
“She wouldn’t be working with you. Her team would be,” Caleb says, his expression brightening. “This would really get her out of a hole, Jax. She needs some good fortune, and as you said yourself. This is your area of expertise.”
“Caleb’s right,” Elijah says, and I scowl at him.
“Not you as well,” I say, running a hand down my face. “Listen to yourselves. This is your sister we’re talking about.”
I look around the table and grimace inwardly.
“Caleb, have you forgotten about your housing project, the new development we’re supposed to be working on?”
“Of course I haven’t,” he says. “But I know we can shuffle a few things around. The plans for Lofton House are near enough perfect, as for the new project, you were telling me earlier how you’re all about delegation these days.”
I roll my eyes and groan. Trust Caleb to use my words against me.
“Look, April and I can go through the plans for Lofton this weekend and make notes. As for Frazer Development, this might be the perfect time to bring Simon, your protégé, up to speed. He can take the lead, and I can help him. I’ve worked on enough of these projects with you over the years.”
I scowl at my close friend and business associate, who is quite happily reshuffling my work schedule.
“That frees you up to help Kat.”
Problem solved clearly.
I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he broaches his plan with Kat.
“Kat didn’t even invite Lockwood Associates to tender for this job. She’s not going to want me anywhere near her project.”
“What?” Caleb frowns as if this is news to him.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and inhale.
Did Kat tell him something different?
“Okay, how about this?” Caleb says, and I know instantly I’m not going to like it. “If I ask Kat and get her agreement, will you be open to a discussion with her?”
All eyes turn to me.
Fuck! Ground swallow me up.
“She really needs your help. You’re the only one we trust.”
I inwardly cringe at their words, knowing they wouldn’t if they only knew.
“Kat’s a grown arse woman, gents,” Pen says, scowling at both Elijah and Caleb. “She’s not going to take too kindly to you sticking your nose into her business, any more than you did Eli when Gabriel got involved in yours.”
Elijah turns to Pen.
“Yes, but he was right in the long run. Even I’m man enough to realise that. And look at me now.”
The grin Elijah gives Pen has her rolling her eyes, and I chuckle. I’ve missed seeing these two interact.
“Pipe down, big boy. All I’m saying is, Kat might have this under control. You storming in, and with Jax of all people.” She shoots me a look. “No offence, Jax.”
“None taken,” I say quickly, glad someone is finally speaking some sense. “I’m with you, Pen.”
“I’m worried about her.” Caleb’s brow wrinkles as he runs a jerky hand through his hair. “She’s not Kat. She looks and sounds like Kat, but there’s something missing. It’s like—” He sighs. “It’s not like the board goes easy on her. They’ve been after her blood since Dad died.”
I’ve known Caleb a long time. This is the first time I’ve seen him like this about one of his siblings.
“What do you mean?”
Caleb and Elijah drop their chins to their chests.
What the hell?
Caleb looks up. “After Dad died, several of the board members came to see Mum. They wanted Gabriel or me to take over from Dad.”
I frown.
What?
“But Kat had been working with your dad for six years, worked her way through the various departments learning the ropes, attended all the board meetings,” I say.
We may not have been on speaking terms, but I listened when Kat’s name was mentioned.
“She had. Dad was training her to be his successor, and that’s why Mum told them to turn around and walk away before she said or did something that, as the majority shareholder, they would seriously regret.
Unfortunately, Kat wasn’t born with a penis and, therefore, in their eyes, was incapable of running the Frazer Hotel Group.
Mum might only be small, but she will fight tooth and nail for her children.
You really don’t want to cross her if she feels any of us have been wronged. ”
Go Francesca!
Pen growls. This is clearly the first time she’s heard this.
“Kat knew about this?”
“She did. Our sister is no pushover, but she’s had to fight to both claim and maintain her position. Why do you think she’s been so driven to take the company further than any of her predecessors?”
I swallow, knowing I’m probably going to regret my next words.
“Fine,” I say. “If Kat agrees, I’ll speak with her about the project. But Caleb, only if she agrees.”
Caleb grins like the Cheshire Cat, while Pen tilts her head, her eyes locking on mine.
I shrug.
There’s no way in hell Kat will agree to this, so why am I worried?