Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Dexter
“I don’t know what your problem is,” Patton continues, snagging a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “This is a big night for us and Parisian Oasis. Looks like I’m celebrating alone.”
“You want to know my problem? You’re my fucking problem, Pat-”
“Guys.” Archer shoves a glass of champagne at me. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but Pat’s right, Dex. This isn’t the time or place. We’re here to kick off a success, never mind the quirks. Let’s not blow it over personal shit.”
The man is right, but that doesn’t make me any happier about my little brother’s fuckery.
“Yeah, okay. It’s all good, wiring aside,” I say.
Patton frowns. “Wiring? Oh, we’re not just going to roll with it?”
“This is a win,” Archer continues, ignoring him like the ass–clown he is. “And we’re toasting it, all right?”
“Fine,” I say, throwing the champagne back. “Look at me, celebrating.” “As for you, Pat,” Archer says, turning to Patton, who frowns,
disconcerted, “you need to stop letting your big mouth get you into trouble.”
“Oh, so it’s my big mouth that’s the problem?” Archer raises an eyebrow and glares at him.
“Fuck,” Patton says, good natured all over again. “I guess you’ve got me there.” He sends me a quick, unrepentant look. “Sorry for telling Mom you’re engaged and getting you in waist–deep shit, I guess.”
“The engagement is as real as your half–assed apology,” I snap.
“Oh, right. Sorry for telling Mom you’re fake engaged and getting you in deep shit.” The smile slides from his face as he grabs a martini from a passing tray. “Man, this Haute deal is a giant pain in my ass.”
“Don’t you know it,” Archer says.
“A pain in all our asses,” I agree, setting my empty glass down. “If we didn’t need Haute to sign off on this, I’d be tempted to find one of his old friends and have him bumped off.”
“Dex, not funny,” Archer snarls, gesturing to the growing gaggle of people milling around a short distance away.
“Bad joke. Sorry.”
We should be milling, too, but I’ve never been less in the mood for casual conversation with strangers.
I roll my eyes and Patton grins at me. I don’t grin back, but it’s something.
Almost like we can share the same oxygen again, or at least band together against Archer when we need to.
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Love Betrayed: A Journey of Separa
Chapter 44
“You know,” Patton says, “if I could do it again, I might have thought a little harder about the whole deal.”
I try not to snort.
That’s about as close to humility as Pat gets.
My family doesn’t do big apologies. Not like most people.
We’re all stubborn as fuck–Mom included in her own bless–your–heart way–and a genuine apology is rarer than a visit from the goddamned tooth fairy.
Archer swings his attention back to us.
“You might’ve been right to go for it,” he says, folding his arms. “I’ve been combing the public records, tax records, anything on Haute that’s out there. Went through it all and I’ll admit, I can’t find shit.”
Am I getting a two–for–one?
Two almost–apologies from my terrible brothers in one night. I should’ve bought a lottery ticket with this luck.
“My gut says I should see it, but there’s nothing there. Just the same old rumors that Haute climbed into bed with the mob for some casino somewhere in the Ozarks. A lot of shady business goes down there, but it’s not our turf.” Archer shrugs. “Didn’t mean to add to the stress about this whole deal, but I had to be sure.”
Half of me doesn’t want to accept it’s just this easy, even though there’s nothing to be uneasy about if Archer hasn’t found anything.
Het it go.
Although I won’t be happy until I’ve got a signed contract in my hand and no more uncertainty.
Soon, one of our main investors comes over to talk with us. Showtime.
I force a smile I don’t feel while I take another good look around this place. We had the whole thing gutted and revamped, right down to the gold- edged glass doors that lead into the lobby.
Everything about it screams money. Passersby on the streets look up at the building and peer inside with yawning curiosity and sometimes a little jealousy.
This isn’t even close to the grandeur we have planned for the Mill, if we can just push this damn thing through. And the revenue from these condos will certainly help jumpstart us there.
I grab another drink and let it douse my guts with flames.
After what feels like forever–and Archer gets a good–to–go text from James–we guide the guests through the elevators leading to the top floor.
The setting sun glows orange against the winding Missouri River and the edge of the nearby market through the large picture windows.
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This is a view people will pay obscene money for.
It’s also a nice–sized unit, fully furnished with a large kitchen with all the modern name–brand bells and whistles.
I made sure of that. Kitchens are one of the first things people look for in a place these days, even if they barely
intend to cook.
As the guests move to the window and admire the view–admittedly, spectacular–Patton clinks his glass on mine.
“Cheer up,” he says.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” I throw back the rest of my wine.
He holds up his champagne like he needs to prove it to me. “I’m toasting your success, Dex. And, because I’m the world’s best brother, I’ll even come with you to Mom’s art thing this weekend.”
“What art thing?” I frown at him.
“Oh, you know.” He waves his hand vaguely. “The River Art collab.
She does it every year.” Shit.
Now that I think about it, I knew it was this weekend, but I hadn’t given it much thought. He’s confusing me.
“What does that have to do with you being a good brother?”
“Oh, she didn’t tell you?” Archer arrives on my other side, a matching glass of champagne in his hand. “That’s when she’ll be meeting your fiancée.”
“Junie?” Now I’m confused. “Stop being so fucking obtuse. Why would Junie be there?”
Patton smirks. “Oh, Junie, is it?”
“Shut your mouth before I shut it for you.”
He rolls his eyes and wanders back toward the window. Archer slaps me on the back.
“I thought you knew,” he says with forced joviality. “Mom went to the bakery today–Sugar Tongs or whatever it’s called–to meet your lady and invite her in person. Pretty sure she’s on her way right now.”
“Now?” My mouth goes desert dry. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Of all the times Mom had to strike, this is the worst. She’ll be as overly excited as a damn dog with a bone. And Junie doesn’t have any warning.
She’ll probably be pissed at me, and for good reason. The art show she’s supposed to attend is this weekend with basically no notice.
“I need to go. Make my excuses,” I tell Archer, shoving my glass at him and charging out the door. The elevator will probably take too long, so I barrel down the stairs, throwing myself around corners with the help of the handrail so
Chapter 44
I don’t go crashing down and breaking my spine.
Goddammit. One day.
I leave Junie alone for one day and my overexcited mom has to come along and ruin everything.
I just have to hope I can still get there in time.
Chapter 45
Chapter 45
