Page 32 of Point of No Return

Jamison is the one to finally fess up. “We’ve bought Charles Orlova out of the company.”

My face reveals nothing, but something in my gut drops. From what little I do know about the deal my father made in exchange for Charlotte’s hand, I know that part of it relies on Charles Orlova getting shares in the company.

I look to my father, but he just carefully drops his hands to his cane, watching the scene unfold.

My father is planning something, that’s for sure.I just made the mistake of thinking that it had anything to do with actually working with the Orlovas.

“Why?”

Tyson’s smile is vicious. “I think you’ll find there’s more money in… other areas.”

“Explain.”

“It means that getting close to your future wife is against your long-term interests.”

Chapter Sixteen

Charlotte

Dinner was tense to say the least. After changing, it was a task to slip past both Liv and Josie unnoticed, but I made it to the dining room and overheard snippets of conversation:

“We’ve bought Charles Orlova out of the company.”

“Getting close to your future wife is against your long-term interests.”

I left in search of Liv before I could hear much else. I knew that my plans to go out to eat died as soon as Tyson came through the door. And when we both came back, Skar’s hands fisted the table throughout the entirety of dinner.

He hardly spared me a glance after he kissed me, and when the group left, he said goodnight before retiring to the study alone with his father. If the tense line of Skar’s shoulders was any indication, I knew it wasn’t an easy conversation.

But I haven’t seen him since.

Avoiding me again, it seems. It only makes it easier to tell my mother the new information at our last lunch before the rehearsal.

We dine at another restaurant along the river, and while Liv and company arrange to have a few tables put together, I whisper, “They sold Papa’s shares in the company. Tyson’s planning something.”

My mother tenses, frowning for all of a second before relaxing again. She plasters on her most saccharin smile. “The Benenatis are always planning something, dear. Not to fret.”

And then she strolls right on toward our table like I hadn’t just told her our plan could be ruined.

Tonight at the rehearsal, it will be more difficult to pass information, but that hasn’t ever stopped us before. Lunch is quick and uneventful, and other than a few last-minute tasks Liv reminds me about, it passes by easily. We agree to meet at the venue for the rehearsal later, and it isn’t long before Skar arrives to pick me up. I’m only half-surprised to see that he’s in the driver’s seat, but I don’t comment on it as I climb into the car next to him.

The drive to the venue is silent. Damn near deafening. Neither of us speak until the car pulls into the lot of the venue: It’s a gorgeous estate of dark mahogany, Calacatta marble, and golden detailing. The venue wasn’t my choosing, but I can’t deny that the entire day is likely to be beautiful.

Skar slides his phone out of his coat pocket as he parks, checking the time. “I’m sorry about dinner the other night. I try not to bring work home.”

I unbuckle, unruffling my dress as I reach for the door. “Are you apologizing about work or your father?”

It’s a rhetorical question, and I can tell he’s not going to comment on it, so I step out of the car.

“Charlotte,” Skar calls, and I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes as I twist toward him.

He holds up the shawl I left, the cream colored silk a perfect complement to the dress I wear tonight. It’s an effort not to move away from him as he drapes it around my shoulders, fingers brushing my skin.

“I know how to handle him.”

If the other night is any indication, Tyson is used to getting what he wants. Whether Skar knows how to handle him or not, I doubt it matters.

My smile is forced. “I’m sure you do.”

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