“Yes.”
“Then the only question is, How much does your favorite uncle love you?”
EPILOGUE
One month later
The two families glared at each other from across the oversize conference table, Baenas on the left and Adlers on the right.
Matias surveyed the gathering, pausing on Ramona sitting directly across from him. She kept her gaze perfectly neutral.
The past month was pure torture. The plan hinged on them staying away from each other. He hadn’t known a month could feel longer than a year. If it wasn’t for the frenzy of the preparations, he would’ve gone mad.
At the head of the table Haider Davenport cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved . . .”
Everyone at the table startled.
Damien Davenport gave his husband a long look. “Excuse him. He has an odd sense of humor. As you all know, we are here to discuss the hostile takeover of Adler, Inc., by Baena Corp. I must remind you that you all agreed to meet peacefully on this neutral ground of our offices.”
“Also, this table is expensive,” Haider added. “Please don’t break it.”
It was time. Matias leaned forward. “As of today, I own fifty-one percent of Adler, Inc. That gives me the controlling interest over your company.”
Karion and Santiago Adler stared at him with open hatred, both a hair away from violence.
“And where did you obtain these shares?” Karion ground out.
“I sold my stake to him,” Ramona said. “For one credit.”
The entire Adler battle line pivoted toward her. Silence claimed the room.
“Why?” Santiago choked out.
She didn’t answer.
“Wait a minute,” one of her aunts said. “You own forty-nine percent. Where did the other two percent come from?”
“From me,” Sabor Adler said.
The Adlers did another pivot. The Baena side looked terribly smug, including Matias’s aunt, who was smiling like a silver shark serpent.
Ramona’s favorite uncle shrugged. “He was very convincing.”
“Have the two of you lost your mind?” her other uncle demanded. “Now that Baena bastard controls both companies, his and ours.”
Ramona cleared her throat. “Actually, that’s not strictly true. He only controls one company. I own fifty-one percent of Baena Corp. I bought it from Matias for one credit.”
You could have heard a proverbial pin drop.
“Matias!” Nadira said into the ensuing silence. “Why did you sell our company to Ramona Adler?”
“Because it’s customary to exchange bridal gifts before the wedding,” he said.
Everyone screamed at once.
Matias got to his feet, walked around the table, and offered his hand to Ramona. She put her hand in his and smiled at the two families. The connection between them sparked, as strong as he remembered it. It felt like coming home after a long, terrible trip, and he grinned at her like an idiot.
“The marriage contracts are in your in-boxes,” Ramona said. “We signed them and filed them this morning. Have fun coming to terms with it. We have a lunch date.”
They headed for the exit.
“He’s a renegade!” Santiago snarled.
“Your children will have the Baena name!” Karion screamed.
“Matias Baena!” Nadira’s voice cut across the shouts. “Come back here! When is the wedding? You cannot elope! You will shame the—”
The door slid shut, cutting her off midword.
“Once they realize that they are no longer competing for the seco generators, there will be a lot less screaming,” Matias said.
“We will have to give them the wedding.” Ramona sighed.
“A small price to pay. We will suffer through it, and then we will escape on a long honeymoon.”
She looked at him. “To the Provinces?”
“Yes. The agreement with the Davenports has been finalized, and the plan for the merger of the two research teams is in place. We still have three weeks of summer left. I’ve inherited an amazing summerhouse. It’s by the lake, and there is a cherry orchard.”
She laughed. “Where to now?”
“To lunch. I found this little place on the Bronze Terrace. They make the best passion cones.”
Matias Baena put his arm around the woman he loved. The connection between them zinged, muted for now, but unbreakably strong. They walked to the elevator holding hands.
For the first time in his adult life, he knew that both he and his wife were perfectly happy.