Page 26 of Moonlit Colorado

“Dane,” my father warned.

“I’m all ears.”

There was a brief pause, and Kip went on. “As I was saying, it sounds like the grand-opening party last weekend went well. But several of our clients had hoped to speak with you there, and they couldn’t find you. I invited the most important people from our network on the assumption that you would do your part. These people are very important to our business.”

Your business, I thought, since Kip’s guests were all bankers and potential investors inotherprojects. Ones I had nothing to do with. But the Silver Ridge resort was small potatoes in the world of Knightly Global.

“Yes, Kip, I know the meaning of VIP.”

“Like the Penningtons. I’m close to getting their buy-in on the property development in the Bahamas, and I need you to make them feel special. They’re at the ski resort for one more day.”

“Then I’ll be sure Tobin sends them some free spa treatments and comps their dinner tonight.”

“Tobin? Who’s Tobin?”

I gripped the skin between my eyes. “The hotel manager. And you claimI’mnot paying attention.”

“The Penningtons can get free shit anywhere. You’re supposed to be offering a personal touch.”

“That sounds like ayouproblem. If you’d wanted topersonally touchthem, you should’ve flown out here yourself. I’m not interested.”

Kip made a choking sound.

“Boys, that’s enough,” my father said. “Dane is going to take this seriously and see that our guests have a good time at the resort. Because he knows how much is riding on the success of this pet project of his. Correct?”

My jaw clenched. “Yes. I do.”

“I’ve given you six months, Dane. If I don’t like the results at the end of that period, we sell and then you go whereIsay.”

“I know.”

Because, at the end of the day, I didn’t really own the resort. Knightly Global did. My father would get to make the final call. And if it wasn’t for the massive cloud of guilt hanging over my head when it came to my mother, I wouldn’t be working for him at all.

“We must present a united front,” my father said. “We’re a family. You both need to act like it.”

I held back my sarcastic comments. My brother tried complaining for a bit longer, but soon we were off the phone. I tossed my device onto the desk, and it skidded so far it fell onto the plush carpet.

Then it started ringing again.

Bending over, I picked up the phone and answered it. “Hey, Margot. Warning you, I’m in a shitty mood. Just got off the phone with Dad and Kip.”

“We’re in the same boat then. I just heard from your father’s assistant.”

I groaned. “What now?”

“He wants to know your plus-one for Kip and Bristol’s wedding.”

“That’s weeks away!”

“Dane, you seem to have no grasp for how formal events are planned. Calligraphic place cards take time.”

“I don’t even know what the word calligraphic means. Nor do I ever want to. But when you talk to Dad’s assistant next, check on the scheduling for Kip’s surgery to remove the stick up his ass. I have to think that would improve the wedding night for his fiancée.”

Margot snickered. “Shush. You’re going to get us both into trouble. Why don’t you think of a memorable toast for the reception instead.”

“Why? I’m not the best man. I was saved from that privilege.” Not like Kip would want me planning his bachelor’s getaway. I’d been able to skip all that crap. Dad hadn’t been happy about it, since he wanted to present the fiction that the Knightlys were aunited front. But there were a few things Kip and I did agree on.

“You’re his big brother. Have a toast ready. Your father will expect it, even if nobody else does.”

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