Surprise Bidder

“Seems like someone’s picking off Council members and sending them to hell,” he remarks.

It’s rude, and yet I understand where he’s coming from. If I remember correctly, it’s just a little over a year since Marcus Sinclair, Fiona’s husband, died. Now, Daniel Lawson.

“Out of respect to his family, details will not be given here,” Elias goes on. “I can let you know, though, that everything is being taken care of. All that’s left is to fill the seat he has left behind.”

So that’s why Elias called this meeting.

“As you may know, Mr. Lawson’s son is not a member of this Club and so he is not eligible to temporary fill his father’s seat. Therefore, the search for a new Council member begins now. As of now, all of you here are considered candidates, and in a short while my good friend Thomas will give you an idea of what you can expect in the coming weeks.”

Tongues wag all over the room. Owen rubs his chin as he nods. Me? I couldn’t care less. While having a seat in the Council would mean more power, I have other interests to pursue at the moment.

I get up from my chair.

“Leaving already?” Owen asks me.

“I have other things to do,” I answer.

He grins. “You mean like going back to your prize?”

That again. I frown. He doesn’t know what’s good for him, does he?

To make matters worse, he stands up and puts a hand on my shoulder.

“You know, if you have any questions or need any tips, like how to train them and all that, you can ask me. I do have more prizes than anyone in this Club. You can say I’m an expert at handling them.”

Maybe so, but I don’t need his expertise.

I take his hand off my shoulder. “I have everything under control.”

He shrugs. “Hey, I’m just trying to help. After all, I would hate to see that mess from the past happen all over again.”

I glare at him.

Owen puts his hands up. “I’m just saying you spent so much on her. As a fellow businessman, I’d hate to see that investment go to waste.”

“And I’m saying it’s none of your business,” I warn him.

He steps back. “Ooh. Touchy. Getting attached to her already, are you? Careful, you don’t want her to think she’s got you wrapped around her finger. If you don’t discipline her early, she might- ”

“I said I have everything under control, Reed,” I cut him off. “I fully understand what discipline means and what it requires. Would you like me to give you a lesson?”

Owen doesn’t miss my threat. Worry flickers in his eyes, but that fades quickly as he grins.

“You’re just as ruthless as they say you are,” he remarks. “I almost feel sorry for your prize now.”

I say nothing. As long as he got my message, I have nothing more to say to him. I push my chair back under the table and start to walk off.

“Oh, one last thing,” Owen says after I’ve passed him.

He’s not done yet?

“I also heard Goldberg caused a scene because he wanted your prize. Quite badly, it seems.”

I glance over my shoulder. “It’s all been taken care of.”

“I know. Elias and Thomas had a few words with him. But I should tell you that Goldberg isn’t a man who gives up easily. Once, he was after this magnificent Thoroughbred. I wanted it, too. I offered a better deal to the owner and convinced him to sell to me. Everything was signed and paid for. The horse was on its way to my stables, but it never arrived. It was poisoned.”

My eyes widen.

“I was never able to prove it, but I do believe Goldberg was behind it. Who else could have done such a thing? Poor creature. He would rather see it dead than see me have it.” Owen sighs. “Of course, I’m not saying Goldberg would do the same now. I’m just saying it won’t hurt to exercise a little extra caution.”

I don’t know why he’s saying this, especially after I just threatened him. Maybe he’s trying to get back on my good side?

I give him a nod before proceeding to the exit.

I don’t even know if I believe him, but I can’t deny I’m a little worried. Besides, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

I get my phone out of my pocket and dial a number. Angelo, the head of security at the office, answers after the first ring.

“Boss?”

“I need you to check on the location of Jonathan Goldberg,” I tell him. “I just want to make sure he won’t cause trouble.”

“On it.”

That gives me some relief. Knowing him, he’ll have that information in less than an hour.

“Anything else, boss?”

“Also, can you check with the apartment to make sure Leah Adams is there,” I say.

Since I’m making sure of things, I might as well make sure she hasn’t left. I doubt she’ll run off, since she seems smart and she knows that if she does, she won’t get a cent. Still, there’s no harm in checking.