Page 133

“What?” He was flustered.

“You don’t have to keep it a secret, as if I didn’t know you were planning to come after Sutter and our clients and whatever else,” Aaron said gently. “I know. My father—your father—what he doesn’t get is that I always know.”

I put a hand on both men’s backs and moved them just enough out of the way so other people in line would know they were speaking privately. I motioned to Max to take over at the end of the receiving line for the next few minutes.

“Okay,” Aaron continued. “A week ago, you merged with Drazan Hess out of Hong Kong.”

“Yes, we… how⁠—”

“Drazan Hess is a subsidiary of Sutter.”

It took him a second to process that. “No.”

“Yes,” Aaron confirmed. “It’s actually Max’s holding company, so he oversees it, but it does still belong to Sutter, and therefore, to me.”

“I… Father doesn’t know.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” he comforted the younger man. “But we invited a lot of your board members and senior staff from Armada to this party tonight so they could meet Max and Max’s team because, as of next week, you, my father, and your board will all be working with him.”

Prentiss did a slow pan so he could see Max.

“I suggest that, as soon as we’re done with the meet and greet here, you two spend some time talking.”

His head swiveled back to Aaron.

“We changed the seating chart so you would be at our table.”

Poor kid. He was just absolutely gobsmacked.

“Or, if you’re uncomfortable staying, you could pull Max aside and make an appointment for the two of you to meet privately.”

“But the board is here, you said, and… people I know.”

“Yes.”

He looked like he was about to barf. “You’re being really nice.”

Aaron put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m not nice, but this muddle our father has dragged you into—this war with me—is not fair to you.”

Prentiss listened, and that was good.

“What you should do and what you will do are, perhaps, two different things.”

“Such as?”

“Maybe you should work with Max and figure out a way to buy the old man out. That would be the best-case scenario because, eventually, Max wants you to run Armada on your own. He likes to invest in start-up companies, but he doesn’t want to be there long-term.”

“Okay.”

“Now, if you decide you would rather keep faith with the old man, that’s your choice. But in that case, Max will never give you enough shares to threaten his controlling interest. So, as I said, your future really is up to you.”

Prentiss’s eyes, which were darker blue than either Aaron’s turquoise or Max’s violet, were locked on his older brother. “I really do appreciate you having this conversation with me. I was told not to expect it.”

“Because he told you I was the Antichrist. I know.”

“Have you changed since you”—his gaze flicked to me, sized me up, and then returned to Aaron—“are in a relationship?”

“Yes.”