Page 22 of Hate to Crave You
“We’ll go ahead and make our bid. Let Templeton think we’re dead set on getting those mines.” His lip curled faintly. “And that prototype.”
“They did say it has some use,” Roman said.
“Someuse. Hardly a game changer. I heard them as well as you, Roman.” Michael’s words dripped with scorn. “Edgar is trying to fleece us. He should know better.”
It sounded to him like Edgar was trying to get the best deal possible and wasn’t above some showmanship and chicanery. Roman didn’t know that he’d go so far as to say the other man was trying to fleece them. Had the prototype been useless, that would be a different story.
Geoffrey only took a few minutes to make his way to the boardroom and Roman listened as his father gave instructions. “Put together a bid. Roman will have figures on what the mines themselves are worth by the end of the day. Once you have them, pad it a bit for the so-called prototype—you can look at Meredith’s report to get an idea what its value would be to us, then get that bid together. In the meantime, put a call in to Templeton Legacy’s team. You have the number of the man I was instructed to call.” Michael paused a moment, waiting for Geoffrey’s confirming nod. Then he grunted. “Good. Let them know we’ll make our bid when the Castles make theirs. We don’t need seventy-two hours. We want those mines.”
His father’s determination to go forward without taking their time on the prototype made Roman a little uneasy, but he remained silent until Geoffrey was out of the room.
“You’re certain this is the road you want to take?” he asked as he rose from his chair. Fastening the button of his dark gray suit coat, he hesitated as he waited for his father’s answer, although he already knew what it would be.
“Yes. Get that information on those mines.”
Roman simply nodded and headed toward the door.
“Oh, one more thing…have the team check and make sure the land around the mines is free and clear. Have them look into any claims and easements and check if there are private access roads on the properties,” Michael added.
“Of course.” Without bothering to say goodbye, Roman left the boardroom. It was going to be a tedious day.
* * *
In his shirtsleeveslater that afternoon, Roman took a break to contact his personal assistant about the gala that following evening.
It had been in the back of his mind ever since Julianna had agreed to go with him.
But second thoughts had started and they weighed on him hard. Was this the best idea?
People would talk.
His father might well have a stroke. He grimaced as the thought circled through his mind, because it wasn’t just speculation. Michael Montrose would bepissed. He’d been furious with his son simply for talking with a Castle back when the two of them had briefly shared a hospital room and Roman hadn’t even known about the family feud then. He’d beeneleven, for fuck’s sake.
Now, though…well, he was fully aware of the feud, even if he didn’t fullyunderstandit. He was also a lot older than eleven, too.
Furious wouldn’t touch on what his father would feel.
But if he canceled, Julianna would wonder why, especially after he’d gone out of his way to contact her and ask her to attend with him.
Besides…if they didn’t attend together, he wasn’t likely to get one more night with her.
And he very much wanted that one night.
One night probably wasn’t even enough, but it was likely all he’d ever get, so he’d make the most of it.
