Heather Macallister - Jilt Trip

Panic is a response that results from a perceived loss of control, he told himself. Carter was in control. He took a deep breath. He’d remain in control. He’d use the panic to provide an edge, an edge that had been dulled by endless wedding preparations.

“Of course, Saunders, Julian and I will vote our shares with you, which will guarantee you thirty-nine percent without Dee Ann’s stock,” Nikki assured him. “What concerns us is the possibility that Karrenbrock, through his subsidiaries, controls even more Belden stock.”

Alegitimate concern, and one he planned to address. “But you don’t know for certain.”

“We need time to find out.”

Carter gazed at her as she returned the papers to the folder, closed it and opened another one.

Mentally, he stepped back to assess the situation and the personalities involved. How much of what Nikki had told him was a valid business concern and how much was fueled by jealousy?

He couldn’t blindly accept the fact that his future father-in-law would threaten his company. It made more sense that the man would take steps to strengthen it so that his daughter—and future grandchildren—would benefit. “Why should I be concerned if my father-in-law owns a large chunk of my company? Shouldn’t I consider that a show of support?”

“I wouldn’t presume to tell you what to consider it, Carter,” she responded in a bored voice. “Victor Karrenbrock is a direct competitor in several areas of industrial manufacturing. You recently positioned yourself to enter oil-field supply, one of his main sources of revenue. It’s a tight, lean field. He’s bound to resent it.”

“Business is business,” Carter stated reflexively.

“Exactly.” Nikki opened another file. “Which is why we suspected that he’d attempt a hostile takeover while you were on your honeymoon.”

Preposterous. “And so you took it upon yourself to see that there was no honeymoon.” Outrageous.

“We thought it best.” She smiled. It was a little smile full of self-satisfaction. It infuriated him.

“You went too far!” Carter swept all Nikki’s facts and figures to the floor of the cabin. “You suspect!” His voice rose. “Suspect? Think? Probably?” He was shouting even though it renewed the pounding in his head. “On such a flimsy premise, you ruined my wedding?”

Nikki, her eyes wide, backed off the berth. “We need more time to verify—”

“Turn this boat around and take me back to my wife!” He groaned and grabbed his temple.

When he released his breath, he distinctly heard her say, “No.”

“What do you mean no? I’m ordering you to sail back to the dock.”

She laughed. Laughed. “On whose authority?”

Was he still asleep? Were his dreams turning into nightmares? “On my authority!”

“The Honey Bee belongs to me now. I’m her captain and I’ll decide where she sails.”

This was not the Nikki he knew. This was not the Nikki who worked with him. Worked for him. Matching her smug smile, he relaxed. “Then, as your boss, I’m ordering you to return me to shore.”

“I don’t work for you anymore. You fired me.” She looked thoughtful. “Come to think of it, you fired all of us. Better not count on that eleven percent voting your way.”

The throbbing at the sides of his temples increased. Without this blasted headache, he’d be able to think his way through this mess. “I rescind my firing. Now, take me back.”

Lacing her fingers in front of her, she drew a deep breath. “That wouldn’t be wise.”

“Okay.” Inexplicably, Carter’s anger seeped away, leaving him feeling like a deflated balloon. “Nikki, what’s done is done. Now I’ve got to make things right with Dee Ann, or she will vote against me.”

“Carter…” For the first time, Nikki’s calm facade cracked. “Any stock she owns, she purchased herself. The ceremony never took place.”

“But you said—” He broke off and jerked his left hand up. No wedding ring encircled his finger. Mutely, he stared at her.

Nikki’s mouth twisted. “You aren’t married to Dee Ann, you’re married to me.”

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