Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
And, as soon as my mama’s boy brother extricates himself from Mother’s side, I’ll lay into her and find out.
“That’s why Perry will never get married,” Keaton mutters under his breath. “He’s such a pussy sometimes.”
Perry catches us watching him, and he does a stupid chin lift, never slowing his conversation with Mother.
“Who says Perry even wants to get married?” I throw back at my little brother.
“It would please Mother; therefore, it would please him.” Keaton smirks at me. “Oh, I found out some stuff about the triplets.”
I lean over in my seat, interested in what Keaton’s discovered. “I’m listening.”
“They care about three things.” He glances over at Perry again. “Their mommy, their cars, and lacrosse.”
“Hmm.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Take it all away and watch them cry.”
Keaton chuckles. “Evil bastard.”
“Says my protégé.”
“I’m not your protégé.” He slouches in his chair and starts texting, effectively ending our conversation.
“I like her,” a voice to my left says.
Arching a brow, I smirk at Tinsley. “Get your own assistant.”
“But I like yours.”
A smile tugs at my lips as I ignore the baby of our family. I was a grown-ass man when she was born. Since she’s the precious princess of the Constantine family and I’m tasked with keeping everyone fed, we don’t cross paths much aside from our occasionally required meals with our mother and other functions. I do know that when it’s time for her to date, I won’t have to ward anyone unworthy off because Keaton will handle that just fine. He takes his protective role over her seriously. I envy their closeness.
Since fucking when, Winston?
Since Ash started poking at my frigid heart. The girl has figured out a way to get under my skin. Not many people are able to do what she’s accomplished in just a few short weeks.
She gave me a damn coupon book.
I’m biting back a grin when Mother calls my name.
“Hmm?” I lift my gaze, wiping the smile off my face. “Did I miss something?”
“We were talking about my badass new car,” Perry says, a goofy fucking smile on his face.
Keaton snorts, and Tinsley giggles. From across the table, Vivian smirks and even the perennially coked-out Elaine grins.
Mother is not amused.
“No,” Mother says with a heavy sigh. “We weren’t. I asked Perry why you sold the Baldridge building.”
The table goes silent, each of my siblings curious of my answer. Only Perry knows why. I realize now he must have been trying to distract her from this conversation, because he seems exasperated at having failed.
“Business, Mother. Nothing to worry over.”
“That’s an evasive answer,” she bites out. “Elaborate.”
“I just felt like it,” I growl, pinning her with a glare. “Drop it.”
Her lips press together as anger flashes in her eyes. “I’m not one of your employees or one of your siblings, young man. I am your mother. Do not ever disrespect me like that again.”
“And I would urge you not to disrespect my business decisions, Mother. This company wouldn’t be exploding with growth if it weren’t for the choices I’ve made. Even if you don’t understand them.”
Naturally, my answer isn’t good enough based on her disappointed frown. It’s as though she enjoys trying to make an ass out of me in front of my siblings—to remind everyone she’s the queen of everything and we’re merely her silly children.
I fucking own this city, and it’s high time she realizes it.
“That was the only Constantine-owned building on that block,” she continues as I knew she would. “Imagine my surprise when Anthony divulged to me you sold it to a Morelli.” Anthony, my loose-lipped attorney and old friend of Dad’s, will get his ass chewed out for tattling to my mother.
Elaine nearly knocks over her glass of water. “You sold our building to a Morelli? Which one?”
I briefly study my sister, curious as to why she’s so fucking interested. Usually, she can’t be bothered to look up from her phone.
“It doesn’t matter. And in case you all forgot,” I drawl out, turning my attention back to Mother, “I’m the CEO of Halcyon. That requires certain strategic moves. Have I not proven myself capable of taking care of this family?” She’s seen the financial reports. She already knows the answer.
Mother’s nostrils flare. “It’s a simple question, Son.”
“Mother, enough,” Perry barks out, making everyone go quiet with shock at his outburst. “Winston knows what he’s doing. Just trust him.”
Her hardened exterior seems fractured at having been put in her place by the golden child. She frowns as she turns to Perry. Absently, she picks off a non-existent piece of lint from his wrinkled shirt. My mother is the proverbial ice queen, and like a queen, she chooses her battles wisely.
“You’re right,” she says to him. “Winston knows what he’s doing. I would hope, though, that if he were ever in trouble, he would come to me. I have my ways.”