“You gotta be kidding me. My low estimate of StreamTrainer’s value comes in at about twenty-five million dollars,” Donny said arrogantly. Of course, he had nothing to back that number up except a hastily written piece of paper with what looked like chicken scratch scribbled on top. Donny had gone so far as to laugh at the generous offer detailed by Greer’s lawyer in a folder that sat untouched in front of Donny.
Even more astonishing, Donny seemed unfazed by the legal repercussions of their ironclad contract. In the case of a family disagreement, the majority party rules. If an agreement can’t be reached by the family, then Greer becomes the decision maker. Donny’s hard head refused to see he had no real options.
“This offer to buy StreamTrainer”—his lawyer said, reaching across the conference room table for the folder, opening it to the second page—“was made two days ago and exceeds the current value of the company by almost double.”
Greer’s steely gaze stayed trained on Donny as he said, “Your share is a more than generous offer that comes off the table if you walk away.”
Donny’s sinister sneer had Greer’s eyes narrowing. Fuck this guy. They could spend the next however many years in court hashing shit out for all he cared.
Greer pushed back from the table, looking at Evan, who had volunteered to be in the meeting for moral support, then at his attorney. “He’s a fool. If he walks away, withdraw the offer. We’ll see him in court. Either way, his ownership of StreamTrainer has come to an end, effective yesterday.”
He took long strides toward the conference room doors, refusing to waste another minute of his day or his life dealing with that stupid, arrogant fuck. He pushed through the door to see Kailey standing feet away, talking on her cell phone in a whisper. Her gaze lifted to meet his. She went silent until the door shut behind Greer.
“It’s Dallas,” she said in hushed tones. Her hand extended, giving him the cell phone. He took it, never stopping his long stride to his personal office. Of course, Kailey followed.
“Babe, hang on.” Once inside his office, he turned with his doorknob in hand, shutting the door once Kailey made it inside. “Why’re you at work? I’m paying you to be on maternity leave. Olivia needs you with her.”
“She’s in good hands. I wanted to be here if you need me,” she said quietly, blowing off Greer’s concern with a carefree wave of her hand. “Did he accept the offer?”
“Not yet.” He lifted a finger to his lips to silence her. No one but the people in the conference room and Kailey knew the terms of his offer. Not even Dallas. Especially not Dallas. Greer had gathered every available dollar he had, lumped it together and wrote Donny a check for his fifth of the value of the business.
“Greer.” Dallas’s troubled voice drew him to their conversation. “What did you offer?”
Greer had initiated and put in place some hard rules where he and Dallas were concerned. They agreed to never lie to one another. As naïve as it sounded, Greer wanted their relationship to be based on the truth, no matter the circumstance. Now, it seemed like the dumbest idea on the planet. Why would he have ever put that commitment to voice and then had Dallas return the oath? Stupid, silly love.
“You’re being too quiet,” Dallas prompted.
“Babe,” Greer started on a sigh, “I’m not sure I’ve told you, but I received an offer from Bike World a few days ago.”
Kailey rolled her eyes and went for his office chair. She believed omitting facts was the same thing as lying. Greer didn’t hold her same beliefs. Thankfully.
“Offer for what? StreamTrainer?”
“Yes. Biker World offered fifteen million dollars—” Greer started to explain.
“What?” Dallas exclaimed loud enough for Kailey to hear. She looked up from picking at one of her fingernails, her brows lifting at him. “They offered fifteen million to buy this company? Did you take it?”
“Of course not.” Greer smiled at Dallas’s excitement as he started for the window. “You guys are building a name for yourselves. The industry’s watching. There’ll be a magic number when we start to pay attention to the incoming offers…”
“I say fifteen million dollars. My God,” Dallas said, flabbergasted. His mister was a healing balm, washing away the last traces of Greer’s anxiety. He closed his eyes and turned teasing.
“I say two hundred million dollars.” Greer’s grin grew at Dallas’s silence. Man, he was a lucky guy. “Are you still there, babe?”
“Did he go silent?” Kailey asked.
“He did.” Greer looked back over his shoulder, winked, and nodded.
“I thought so.” Kailey’s singsong laugh made Greer chuckle too. “He’ll get used to you tossing around numbers like that.”
“I don’t know if you’re joking around or if you’ve lost your mind,” Dallas finally said.