Page 38 of Tail, Dark and Handsome: Celestial Mates
“Sales—”
“Are down in every sector. We need the investors. We need this infusion of credit if we’re going to survive,” Chase said.
He had not paid attention to finances. Credits were deposited into his accounts without interruption. He assumed all was well. “Is it that dire?”
“We’re not closing up shop, but we need a success. The new generation of consumer-class ships have more than the usual problems.”
Winter did not want to admit that the quality of CayneTech’s products had little impact on sales. They were affordable, comfortable ships with few competitors in that end of the galaxy. They were one of a handful of major manufacturers on Corra, and the only one specializing in high-end luxury ships. How bad did the problems have to be to impact the company?
Instead, he said, “Those problems were documented. You said those were fixed.”
Chase looked away from the camera. “Well—”
“You did not fix the known issues and launched a faulty product.” Not a question, because he knew the answer.
“They were already produced.”
“You. Skipped. Quality. Control.” Winter wanted to reach through the screen and throttle his cousin.
“Loans were due! The new facility cost credits. If you paid even a little bit of mind to the company your father built—”
“Do not speak of my father,” Winter snapped.
“Thankful was my uncle and I will speak of my uncle however and whenever I please.”
Winter’s grip tightened on the table. Claws scratched the casing. When the family fled Talmar, Thankful took in Chase, who was near the same age as Winter. He raised both kits as brothers, but it had been clear early on that Thankful favored Chase.
Winter told himself that he did not care. He no longer lived for his father’s approval and did his bidding. He had his kit, who he loved unconditionally, and even if Winter had more kits—though the idea seemed vague and improbable—he knew he would love them all with the same, equal devotion. No favorites. No pitting the kits against each other to foster competition or ambition.
His lips curled at the memories of Thankful doling out tokens of affection. A smile. A scratch behind an ear. Each gesture came as a prize to reward the victor of Thankful’s heartless games.
“The female,” Chase started.
“Is no one.”
“Make her someone. The investors like family.”
“We are a family.” Fractured as they were.
“Whole families. No whispers about deceased mates.”
“And you think a new mate will fix this? Fix our faulty products? Bring us customers?”
“I think if you show up with a pretty human on your arm, smile at the damn cameras once in a while, and not growl at anyone in public, then yes. That will squash rumors about the…” Chase frowned, as if the next words were difficult for him to utter. “About the unpleasantness with Rebel and keep the investors happy long enough for them to give us credits.”
“As long as they give us currency,” Winter said bitterly.
“Do not take this as a joke. This company is Zero’s future.”
Those words sent a chill over him.
“Yes. You are correct. We will return to Corra as soon as possible. I will endeavor to be respectable in front of cameras,” he said.
“With the female?”
Winter nodded, not sure how to make that promise. He did not want a new mate, but if he had to pick, Marigold had a certain appeal.
“I don’t care what you do. Just get here and try not to growl at any more photographers,” Chase said before disconnecting the call.
