Page 32 of The Billionaire and His Driver
All three brothers hesitated. And then they smiled and laughed. Perry shook his head. “Good move, big brother,” he said. “Good move!”
“Okay you got me on that one,” said Zack, smiling too.
“I got a call from Governor Grisham,” said Sully.
Ronny looked at him. “And?”
“He’s waiting for you to put a ring on Fallon’s finger. He wants a marriage before he agrees to any collaboration.”
Ronny wanted to take a glance over at Brina when Sully mentioned a ring and marriage, but he kept his composure.
But Brina was a little shocked. Was Fallon that young woman that stared her down at that country club three months ago? Was she Ronny’sgirlfriend? Somehow it never occurred to her that he would have a steady lady in his life, or she neverwould have slept with him! She somehow got caught up in believing him to be her great rescuer that she never even thought about it. He didn’t glance at her, but she was staring at him.
So much so that Sully noticed her stare.
“I’ll give him a call,” Ronny said to Sully. “If he phones you again, tell him I’ll be in touch.”
“What are you waiting on?” asked Zack. “Just give her a ring for crying out loud. You don’t have to marry her. Old Man Grisham will give in if he knows you’re at least trying to do your part.”
“That’s horrible advice,” said Perry. “You don’t play with people’s emotions like that.”
“A way to an end,” said Zack. “And shut up, Perry.”
“You shut up!” Perry fired back.
“Both of you shut up,” said Sully, and they both stopped the conversation. Although Ronny was the head of the family by age, Sully, only one year younger than Ronny, was the enforcer: What he said went. Even with Ronny. “Call him today,” he suggested to his older brother. “He seems desperate to me. Ready to make a deal. If you play ball.”
“He desperately wants to get his hands on that Ronny Bradshaw fortune,” said Perry. “That’s all that’s about.” Then Perry smiled. “He’s willing to put Ronny in the White House to get there too.”
The White House?As in President of the United States? Another shocker for Brina. She slept with the future President of the United States? She looked at Ronny as if she was staring through the looking glass. It felt just that bizarre.
But Ronny dared not look at her. He moved on to other topics as the assistants seated with Brina kept meticulous notes for their individual boss at the table. But Brina kept staring at Ronny. So much so that she had no idea Sully and Zack were staring at her. That both of them wanted to know what it wasabout her that a man like Ronald, who did not suffer fools well or women at all, would have her tagging along with him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
After the meeting and after Zack and Perry and their assistants were gone, Sully ordered his assistant, the only black lady in the group, to go back to the office, and he ordered Brina to wait on Ronny out in the corridor.
Although Sully behaved as if he was the boss of all of the other brothers, including Ronny, she knew who buttered her bread. She looked at her boss.
Ronny knew his brother too well. “She can hear what you have to say.”
Brina could tell Sully was surprised that his brother would defy him, but she also could tell he was a man who knew how to pick his battles. She stayed put, and he moved on.
“What’s this I hear about extra security around Bradshaw Manor?” Sully asked.
Ronny frowned. “Who told you that?”
“I have my spies.”
“Like Elvira Dash? Like Tex Graylin?”
“Just answer my question. Is it true?”
Ronny stared at his brother. A little taller than Ronny and far more muscular, he was the epitome of elegance and sophistication. He also had some nerve. “You have no problem delving into our personal business when you won’t let us so much as think about mentioning yours.”
“Stop deflecting and answer my question, Ronald.”
“Who the fuck is deflecting? Are you married, Sully? Do you have children, Sully? Where the fuck do you live, Sully?”
