“Jeer all you want, but at least we have an honest relationship.”
“Honest?” Finn scoffed. “I don’t believe that for a second. But let’s go back. Who told you no woman would marry you except for your money? Your kind and benevolent father who’s given you such a fine example of marriage and family?”
“It doesn’t matter who said it.” Bran deflected, since Finn had guessed accurately. “Unlike you, I’ve dated a lot of women, so I’ve seen it for myself.”
“Every one of those women went out with you because you’re rich? Not one mentioned being attracted to you for some other reason? Your personality? Or maybe your looks?”
His looks? Bran knew better. Sure, his body was in impeccable shape from his relentless training. Yet he knew his fake eyes were frightening to observe. His father had told him so, as had Carina. More recently, the terrified cries of a baby had confirmed it. His friends tried to shield him from the truth, but Bran had accepted it as one more strike among many. “Yeah, I’ve heard some women like my muscles. Doesn’t mean much to me. Is that a better motivation? Thought it was considered shallow to date someone solely because of their appearance.”
Finn made a strangled noise of frustration. “Okay, let’s start over. Why are you attracted to Carina?”
Bran didn’t hesitate. “She’s poised, beautiful, and influential. And she says exactly what she thinks.”
“Wait a minute… how do you know she’s beautiful?”
“You don’t need eyes to detect beauty. I sense the confidence that comes with it. I verify with Fordham, and I’ve never been mistaken.”
“You enjoy spending time with her?”
“Not particularly, but I’m prepared to play my role. So is she.”
“What about your personal assistant. In your opinion, is she beautiful, as well?”
Bran knew the answer, but he paused, pretending to consider the question. “She’s very confident in a lot of ways, so I’d say she’s beautiful. She tries to show deference, but I sense her pride pacing in the background, ready to pounce. Sometimes she can’t control it.” The thought brought a smile to his face. He loved goading her, keeping her a bit off balance.
“Considered marrying Stephanie, instead?”
Bran’s pulse skyrocketed. “I could never ask Steph to marry me.”
“Why not?”
“She’d think it was an ultimatum—marry me or lose her job. She might say yes to protect Ellie, but she’d hate me for forcing her into the relationship, taking away her choice. Steph wants love. She believes in it. She’s always oohing over some romance book and declaring she won’t make the same mistake twice. Said she has no desire to marry again.”
“So she was married before?”
“To a real jerk,” Bran confirmed. “Cheated on her from day one and left her because he couldn’t handle Ellie’s CF.”
Finn’s expletive mirrored Bran’s feelings on the matter.
“She deserves someone who’ll give her all the love and romance she wants,” Bran said.
“And why can’t that be you?”
Bran didn’t address the most obvious reason. Steph respected him as a boss, but would be disgusted at the thought of a physical relationship. “Like I said, I don’t believe in love. Plus, she needs the security my job provides. I’m not going to risk screwing up our relationship.”
“Maybe it’s you who needs the security Steph provides. Maybe you’re afraid to rock the boat.”
His breathing stopped. Is it true? Am I using Stephanie as a security blanket? He’d spent thirty years proving his independence. He covered his panic with anger. “Maybe you’re sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Again.”
“I’m worried about you. Okay? All three of us are. This whole engagement thing doesn’t make any sense.”
Bran blew all the air out of his lungs. “Fine, I’ll tell you the deal, but it stays between the two of us. I own thirty-five percent of Parker-Aston Pharmaceuticals. Carina’s agreed to sign over her shares. That gives me fifty-one percent.”
The phone went quiet as this information sank in. Parker-Aston’s grou
nd-breaking new cystic fibrosis drug would be under Branson’s control. “Are you telling me you’re going to control the company that makes Decolyde?”
“That’s right. Hopefully, we’ll be able to reduce the price to something the insurance companies can stomach.”