Marriage of Convenience (The Raven Brothers 1)

“I’m planning to retire, but I can’t leave the company to you boys without risking your tearing it apart.”

That unsettling feeling turned into oh shit. What the hell was he going to do?

“So, what’s your grand plan now?” Kade asked derisively. “Who will get the company if you’re not keeping it in the family?”

“Oh, family will get the company, just not you boys.”

Fuck.

“Instead, your children will inherit the company,” my father said.

“Perhaps you’ve had your head stuck up your ass too long to notice that none of us have children,” I pointed out. “None of us are married, and as you said earlier, none of us have any prospects for getting married.”

“I think he’s gone mad. We should have him tested for dementia or maybe simply committed,” Kade said with his usual edge.

I ignore his comment. “Seriously, how can our families inherit the business if we don’t have them?”

“The only reason you don’t have families is because you’re too focused on working and outdoing each other.”

“Again,” Kade piped in. “That’s because you wanted us to be like that.”

“And now I want you to change.” My father leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. “I know this seems out of character, but I’m telling you, you don’t want to get to be my age and have a life full of regrets.”

I scoffed. “Your age. You’re not even sixty.”

“I’ve got fewer years ahead of me than behind me. Except for money what do I have? I have a wife who grew to resent and hate me by the time she died, and four sons who despise each other and me.”

That wasn’t completely true. While my brothers and I wouldn’t be described as close, we didn’t hate each other. Still, we did compete, often ruthlessly.

“I’ll die alone and I don’t like that prospect. So, my gift to you is helping you change while you still can.”

“I don’t want to change,” I said. I had nothing against marriage for most people, but it wasn’t for me. I liked women when I had an itch, but other than that, I was all about business, just like dad wanted. Or at least, how he had wanted it.

“You’re something else,” Ash said bitterly to my father.

“I know. But here’s the deal: until you settle down, you won’t inherit any part of my business. Your inheritances are now in a trust until you find a wife and have a child. No family, no business.”

“What if we can’t have kids?” Hunter said.

“Did the war kill your swimmers?” Kade asked.

Asshole, I thought.

Hunter shrugged. I supposed fighting in Iraq made Kade’s stupid quips seem, well, stupid.

“There’s always adoption,” my father said, clearly having thought this through.

“It won’t hold up in court,” Ash muttered.

My father shrugged. “You can waste your time and money in court, or you can consider that maybe I’m doing something that will improve your lives.” He stood and buttoned his coat. “I regret where we are today in our relationship. This is my chance to make it right.” He walked out the door.

In the corner, my father’s assistant, Alexandra stood. It was amazing how she could blend into the background like she wasn’t there.

“You know, you might pay attention to what he’s saying he wants for you. Maybe if you gave his plan a try, you might not end up being complete assholes.” She gave us a sarcastic smile and then followed my father out of the room.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard Alex curse before,” Kade said, watching the door close behind her.

“She must swear all the time working for him,” Ash said.

I sat back, feeling a bit overwhelmed. I ran my fingers through my hair and tried to come up with a solution. “Ash, call Jacobs and find out if this plan can be legally enforced,” I said, referring to one of our on-retainer lawyers.

“It might be a conflict of interest since he represents Dad as well,” Ash responded.

“Let’s call a doctor instead.” Kade rose and went to the table where Alex had set up coffee and pastries. He poured a cup of coffee and drank, although I suspected he wished for something stronger. “Dad is completely fucked in the head. Maybe we can arrange a lobotomy.”

Hunter scowled. “Be serious for once, Kade.”

“I don’t take advice from jarheads.”

“Stop being a fucking asshole, Kade!” I snapped. We didn’t get along, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t stand up for my brothers, even against another one. Hunter served his country, and he had the emotional scars to prove it.

“Maybe you should take advice from jarheads, Kade,” Hunter said, his voice low but lethal. “Your life could depend on it.”

“What does that mean?” Kade strode to Hunter.

“Jesus, Kade, sit your ass down.” I looked at my brothers. “We need to focus here.”

“Who died and made you God?” Ash said.