Initiative

  His minuscule share was firmly in her hands, meaning she now owned the majority of the dealership, no matter how that pissed off the Costellos. Before, John said he always assumed his parents thought they could rally everyone to their side to, at the very least, effect a stalemate.

  Until little Jackass went off the reservation without consulting them first.

  Deep breaths. Maybe they don’t want to talk about that.

  But when Marcus pulled Susie’s office door closed behind them and practically marched over to her desk, she knew.

  That was exactly what they wanted to talk about.

  Marcus wasted no time. “You need to return Jack’s shares to him.”

  Susie leaned back in her chair and templed her fingers in front of her in her best impersonation of Grant that she could muster. “I beg your pardon?” she coolly asked.

  “Don’t you start with me. You cheated him out of what was rightfully his!”

  “Oh, like he cheated me out of a long life and children with my husband by killing him?”

  Marcus’ face went red, but he didn’t respond to that. He deftly ignored and side-stepped it. “John left those shares to Jack. They’re his.”

  “And there was a stipulation that I could buy him out, if I wanted to. I can buy out any of the shareholders. I have the right of first refusal, as a matter of fact. If you’ll read the fine print, if anyone tries to sell or transfer their shares to anyone but me, and I protest the sale, the shares will dissolve and automatically revert to me anyway. That’s in the share agreements and in the will. You agreed to all of that when you signed the loan paperwork. I exercised that right of first refusal for an extremely generous amount, all things considered.”

  She channeled Grant some more and let one corner of her mouth slide up a couple of degrees in a smirk. “What’s the matter, Marcus? Pissed off that there’s no way in hell for you to ever set a fifty-percent roadblock like you thought you could after John died? Mad that you didn’t read a little more carefully before you signed on the dotted line when you loaned John the money in the first place? Upset that John proved to be far smarter than you and set up a safety net you didn’t spot until now? Or does it piss you off that Jack actually grew a spine and did something without asking your permission first? He got far more for those two shares than he deserved. Mainly because he couldn’t sell them anywhere else and he knew it, just like you know it.”

  Marcus looked enraged, making Susie suspect she’d hit multiple bull’s-eyes with that observation. “That’s not the point!”

  “Then what is the point? Enlighten me.”

  The point was, and she damn well knew it, if they’d ever remotely managed to amass a full fifty percent—damn near impossible due to the way it was structured, but more a lure to get his father’s help with the initial financing—it would trigger a clause that would then allow them to have a money stake in the company.

  That’s what Marcus had believed for all these years, anyway.

  John had been extremely shrewd in how he’d set up the shares. All the original stake loans—with interest—had been paid back a couple of years earlier, rendering the actual cash value of the shares completely worthless. In fact, Ed hadn’t lied. In the month before he died, John and Susie and Ed had started discussing buying out the shareholders for token amounts to return the company to their sole control on paper, knowing full well his parents might be the only ones reluctant to hand their shares over otherwise.

  John hadn’t trusted his parents, sad to say. Which was exactly why he’d set up the unorthodox arrangement to start with. He’d loved them, but his father was a cold, shrewd businessman. John had no doubt if his father had a chance to take over, he would.

  The shares were only secured as a money stake as long as the loans were outstanding, to help guarantee they were paid back. Once they were paid off, they converted to voting rights only. His father was well aware of that part.

  What John counted on—and had happened—was that Ed and Kaden had buried it down in the middle of the share agreements, easy to miss, about not being able to resell or transfer the shares without a right of first refusal.

  And yes, until after the fact, Marcus Costello had missed that little detail. Or if he hadn’t missed it, he certainly hadn’t mentioned it to John, or realized the impact it might later have.

  Susie suspected, based on Marcus Costello’s current reaction, that he’d finally taken the paperwork and read through it again overnight, this time paying far more attention than he had before.

  No matter what John’s father did now, there was no way in hell he could ever get his hooks into the company for money.

  Ever.

  Not as long as she was alive, and even then, nope. She was already working with Ed, discussing how to proceed with changing her will. He’d had quite a bit of experience dealing with unorthodox relationship issues as of late in terms of setting up legal contracts that would protect everyone involved in a poly relationship.

  She wasn’t sure if she would ever get married again. Now that gay marriage was legal, she really hoped Grant and Darryl could one day tie the knot once Darryl wasn’t paralyzed in limbo by worrying about his job or partial custody of Kyle.

  But she damn sure didn’t want John’s parents or brother to ever be able to have the business. She’d shut it down, or sell it to someone else, before she’d ever let that happen.

  “The point is, our son started this company. Not you. By rights, it should be ours. We were investors in it when he started.”

  “Let’s see, John was in the process of opening this when we met and got married, so in reality I helped him start it. And yes, you were investors in it, but we paid you back. I have certified copies of the notes where you signed off on it, and the others signed off on theirs, if you want to see them.”

  He jabbed a finger at her. “You have until noon today to hand those shares over to Jack.”

  She scoffed at that. “He signed a notarized agreement and cashed the check. Uh, nooo.”

  Marcus leaned in. “At noon, I have an appointment to stop by and talk to my old friend, Reverend John de Papio. You know who he is, don’t you? He’s the head of the Sarasota First Evangelical Christian Church of God, and its private academy.”

  She forced herself not to react even though she inwardly blanched. “So? Is that supposed to mean something to me?”

  Even though she and John hadn’t been churchgoers, the reverend had conducted John’s funeral at Marcus and Joanie’s request. Susie had been too grief-stricken at the time to argue about it, and John hadn’t left specific instructions other then he’d wanted to be cremated, leaving the details up to her.

  He sneered as he whipped out his cell phone. “No, but it might mean something when I show him pictures of their head pianist and head of their music department for their school having sex with you in your pool. A woman who is also apparently involved with the man’s roommate.” He held out his phone.

  Fucker. From the looks of it, the pictures had been taken a couple of weeks ago, at least, from the property behind the house. Actually, to get the angle he had and view over the areca palms around the lanai, it looked like he’d had to almost climb a tree or something. There were some of her and Darryl, and some of her and Grant. None of the three of them together, fortunately.

  She channeled both Grant and John as she arched an eyebrow and glared up at Marcus. “Is that supposed to mean something to me?”

  “Oh, you think you’re so smart, don’t you? I know you’ve been seeing him and that other guy. Bet they’d both be interested in finding out you’re seeing both of them, wouldn’t they? Especially since they’re friends and roommates?”

  At that she had to fight back giggles.

  She finally smiled. “I think it’s illegal to spy on people and take pictures of them in their home without their permission.”

  “Oh, I was simply taking a look at a lot for sale near the back side of your property. And you weren’t in y
our home, you were in your pool.”

  He grinned, swiping through pictures to show her yet another one. “I did a little research. Darryl Holman has been, poor guy, going through a nasty custody battle with his ex. I’m sure losing his job because of this salacious affair will not go over well. I know for a fact the morals clause in the employment contract the church uses prohibits their employees from engaging in…unseemly behavior.”

  His grin sickened her. “I’ll be at Rev. de Papio’s office at noon. I know for a fact Holman will be in attendance as well. I told the reverend that I needed to discuss a matter of urgency with him.”

  He put his phone away. “Show up with the paperwork, or Darryl Holman gets shit-canned and I make ruining his life my hobby. Don’t fuck with me, honey. I’m older and wiser than you, and I’ve eaten people far better than you for breakfast.”

  She forced herself not to move, not to react, as Marcus stormed out, Joanie silently trailing in his wake.

  He wants to play that fucking game, huh?

  What Marcus wasn’t aware of was that she’d been schooled by the best in combat strategy—Grant and Darryl, and, later, John.

  Okay, D and D wasn’t exactly real battle, but close enough.

  She refused to panic, forced herself to remain seated and think it through. She couldn’t call Grant over this. His meetings that morning were too important. And Darryl would be in classes. She could text him, but why worry him? She’d rather him be surprised by this, too.

  It would look more realistic that way.

  It might mean a spanking later from Grant for not even sending either of them so much as a warning text, but she knew they’d forgive her.

  And any spanking would be worth it.

  Because she would enjoy taking the fucking wind out of Marcus’ sails for good.

  * * * *

  Susie also couldn’t wait until Kristin got in to leave and set everything in motion. She had too many stops to make to pull this off and make it to the church before Marcus and Joanie. As it was, she hit the county office off Ringling, then raced to the mall, startling the salesperson with the easiest sale of their life, probably. Three florists and two bakeries later, she headed to the church’s administration building, which sat between the church’s sanctuary and the building that housed the school and social hall.

  It was eleven forty, and Marcus Costello’s car was nowhere to be seen.

  Feeling a slight pang, Susie switched her wedding and engagement rings to her right hand, donned her newest purchase, and scooted inside to where a receptionist sat behind the front desk.

  Putting on her winningest smile, and with her arms full, Susie beamed at the woman. “I’m sorry I’m early. We have an appointment to talk with Rev. de Papio at noon, but I’m so excited, I just couldn’t wait. Is he available now, by any chance? Last name’s Costello. Susan Costello.”

  The receptionist looked a little puzzled. “Mr. Costello didn’t say anything about why he needed the emergency meeting with the Reverend. I think Mr. Holman isn’t available until noon.”

  Susie held up her left hand and eagerly waved it, then showed the armful of brochures and sample books she’d accumulated during her harried dash through Sarasota’s florists and bakeries that were on her way between the mall and the church.

  Fortunately, the woman was a quick study, her face brightening. “I think he’s free.” She stood. “Follow me.”

  It was all Susie could do not to mutter, “Muwahaha, motherfucker,” under her breath as she followed the clueless receptionist down the hall and toward the man’s office.

  Marcus might think he’s older and wiser and eaten better people than me for breakfast, but he’s never played against Grant as a DM. And his own son drilled into me what a shit-weasel he is from the moment I met John.

  Fucking amateur.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Darryl wasn’t sure why he’d been asked to meet with Rev. de Papio at noon, but he made sure, as soon as his third period class was over, to hurry his ass up and hustle down to the admin office. He was five minutes early, and had hit the reception area just in time to see an older man, and a woman he suspected was the guy’s wife, being led down the same hallway he was heading.

  “Oh, good,” Ruth said. “Perfect timing.”

  The man smiled, and something about his expression chilled Darryl. “Yes, perfect timing, Mr. Holman.” He looked predatory.

  The guy looked really familiar, but Darryl couldn’t place him.

  So Darryl was thrown even further off his game when they were ushered into the reverend’s office and found Susie sitting there, having a rather animated discussion with his boss.

  The other man and woman seemed a little put off by this as well.

  Susie beamed. “Darryl!” She jumped up and raced over to him to give him a huge, full-on kiss on the lips. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t wait. Can you forgive me?”

  He caught her wink. The same one she’d given him countless campaigns before when they were trying to do something without Grant knowing it and throwing DM weight at them to stymie them.

  He played along with it, almost feeling like they were kids again. “What’d you do, sweetheart?”

  “I was just talking with Rev. de Papio about everything. Marcus and Joanie came by this morning and—well, I goofed up.” She batted her eyes at him like she’d made a major boo-boo, and he fought the urge to laugh.

  “What’d you do?” he sternly asked, apparently in character, based on her seemingly over-caffeinated, practically manic lead.

  “I couldn’t wait to tell them!” She wheeled around and waved her hand at a pile of brochures and papers covering the reverend’s desk. “I know you wanted to tell Kyle next even though we already told Grant, and I’m sorry, but…well, they were John’s parents. I knew they’d want to know, and they’re so happy for us!”

  Darryl didn’t understand what, exactly, had prompted this, but he could easily follow her train of thought. He’d get the details later and suspected it had something to do with her buying Jack out.

  Darryl sighed. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I understand. I know how much you love them. Under the circumstances, I can’t be aggravated at you about that.”

  “Even better!” She squealed, making him wince. “Marcus and Joanie agreed to pay for the whole wedding! Isn’t that amazing?”

  She threw her arms around Marcus, then Joanie, who both looked just as stunned as Darryl now felt.

  Only Darryl’s long back history and hours of D and D allowed him to stay in character. “Wow…that’s just…wow. Thank you.” He hugged the older couple, too.

  Rev. de Papio finally spoke up. “I tell you, Marcus, you and Joanie are absolutely amazing people. I am so honored I’m going to be performing this wedding for these two. No two people are more deserving of happiness than this young couple, especially after everything poor Susie here has been through the past couple of years. I remember how devastated your whole family was when you lost John.”

  Darryl had to chew on the inside of his lip to keep from laughing. The head start Susie had gotten on derailing whatever conniving plot Marcus had up his sleeve had let her fucking bury the guy.

  They’d deal with the rest of this later, but for now, he was enjoying the hell out of the older man’s obvious discomfort.

  Marcus appeared to be at a loss for words. “Umm…”

  “We were discussing the schedule,” Susie said. “Trying to find a good time when the church would be available and that they’d be able to spare Darryl for Sunday services, as well as time off from teaching at the school for our honeymoon.”

  She returned to the reverend and touched his arm. “I have absolutely no words to describe what Marcus and Joanie mean to me,” she said.

  Darryl had to move, to step around the other couple and pretend to stumble on his way to the other chair in front of the reverend’s desk, next to the one Susie had occupied when they walked in.

  It was that, or he was going to s
eriously lose his shit laughing and blow whatever this was out of the water.

  “You know,” Rev. de Papio said, playfully chiding Marcus. “You could have just told me what was going on when we talked earlier. From your tone of voice, I thought it was something serious.” He laughed. “I am so happy for these two, you have no idea. And you, my friend, to offer to pay for the wedding for them? That’s…that’s the wonderful spirit of Christ flowing through you. I am honored to call you my friend.”

  He shook with Marcus, who still looked like he’d had his nuts kicked clean up into his body but hadn’t fallen over yet.

  Darryl noticed that Susie had made a pointed effort not to look him in the eye following the initial wink.

  If she did that, he knew they’d both be laughing their asses off.

  Marcus pulled his cell phone out, as if he’d just received a call. “Excuse me a moment. I need to take this.” He stepped outside the door, closing it behind him.

  That left Joanie standing there, uncomfortably silent as Susie hooked an arm through hers and started animatedly chatting about flowers and cakes and…

  Darryl didn’t even know what else. He tuned it out and kept a placid smile plastered across his face and studied Joanie.

  She looked nearly sick to her stomach.

  Marcus returned a moment later. “Sorry, but I’ve got a business emergency I need to take care of. We’ll have to talk another time.”

  “Oh, that’s okay,” Susie said. “I understand. I hope it’s nothing serious? We’ll handle the initial plans today with Rev. de Papio and I’ll fill you in later.”

  She let go of Joanie and flung her arms around Marcus to hug him. Darryl noticed the man was slow and very uncomfortable to finally pat her on the back as she whispered something in his ear.