Page 71 of Making It While Faking It
Yes.
Max sits up straight, zips his lips, and tries hard not to look in Lake’s direction as she takes a seat beside Treasure.
Feeling the victory, I wink at her. It was brave of her to show up.
“So, Dad, Uncle Leo, it works,” Paisley says.
“What you did was illegal,” Leo says.
“You were never going to get it to work without me.” Paisley taps the tip of her finger to the side of her head. “The know-how is up here. Because Grandfather told me everything he knew about the light sources that can collect and solidify molecular particles and a brilliant team of scientists, programmers, Hercules, and myself figured out how to bring it to life.”
“Damn it, Paisley, how could you?” Xan mutters, shaking his head and glaring at her as if he’s disappointed in her. He sounds defeated on one hand but there’s a hint of something else in his voice too.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Paisley, it is that she is a champ at keeping her emotions in check. She already knows her father, uncle, and brother inside out. She even said that at first, just to be loyal to the fight they’ve been carrying on with my family for years, they’ll buck and kick, but they’ll be in from the moment the video ends.
“Let’s just vote already,” Treasure says. “We need more than fifty-fifty. I have Lynx’s proxy. We’re a full vote together.” She smiles devilishly, and I want to plant a sensual kiss on her sexy mouth. “We say, ‘Yea.’”
Max glares at her with pinched eyes. I want to laugh out loud, but that wouldn’t be appropriate or smart.
“The moms?” Treasure calls.
“Yea,” Heartly and Londyn say in unison.
“Yea. That’s three,” Paisley says and beams in on her father. “Dad. It’s TRANSPOT, and it works. Fifty-fifty full rights ownership, LTI and GIT. And remember that I, your daughter, am half owner of LTI.”
Silence lingers as Xander and Leo stare at each other, somehow having a full conversation as their expressions move through several variations.
“No,” Max says and sets his jaw, refusing to look in Lake’s direction.
However, it’s always favorable when Xander and Leo speak to each other with their eyes.
“What about the trust deal?” Leo asks me.
I beam in on him. It takes everything I have to not call him a snake from hell. But in this instance, we have the upper hand, and our advantage is solid. I made sure of it. The only way they’re able to cut us out is if they sue Paisley. That’s why today, after this vote, if either Leo or Xander sides with us—because that’s what it will take to break a tie—then the agreement will be signed, filed, and made a legal and binding document.
“Dad,” Treasure says, smiling at him with her eyes. “My future husband and I will forgive you for your snaky ways if you say yes.”
I’m surprised that Leo is grinning at her when he nods and says, “It’s a ‘Yea’ from me.”
“Me too.” Xan looks down as if he knows he’s about to crush his son, raises two fingers, and says, “Yea.”
The sound of Max leaping to his feet and then storming out of the room steals everybody’s attention.
But as soon as he leaves, Nero comes in, the agreements are signed, handshakes commence, and champagne is poured.
FIVE HOURS LATER
TREASURE GROVE
It’s late, and we’re drunk because surprisingly, when the Groves and Lords get together for a real party, it’s on fire. After we signed the contracts, Marigold revealed that she was with my mom and Heart, who were at Heart’s apartment in the city. They invited us over for proper celebratory cocktails. Hugo and Leslie showed up. Music was played. There was dancing. And my man has been stuck with an engorged cock ever since our first slow dance. Finally, it’s time to relieve him.
Epilogue
ORION LORD
ONE YEAR LATER
Itried calling Lilah, but she won’t answer her phone. Fuck. And now I’m at the office on a Saturday morning. Achilles is in Las Vegas, preparing for his cheesy, cheap-ass wedding toher. I would have never given a woman ofhercaliber that kind of a cliché wedding. I wouldn’t care if she asked for it. She still wouldn’t get it.
