Series: Werewolves of Wall Street Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59360 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59360 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Eleanor’s eyes fill with tears. “I’m so sorry. I know I was wrong. I made a mistake when I found out your mom was pregnant, and then, when I learned she kept you, it felt too late to change course or tell Brett. I kept doubling down on my mistakes. I watched you from afar and pulled strings to ensure your success. But now,” –she waves a trembling hand at the monitors and IV drip bag– “I have the benefit of near death to make me realize my reign is coming to an end. I want to make amends–to correct my mistakes. And I would love to have you by my side, Madi.”
I blink back the water in my eyes. “What’s in it for me?” I ask with a humorless laugh.
“A large stake in Torrent Cosmetics now and controlling interest when I die.”
My mouth falls open. I wasn’t trying to manipulate her for money. My brain makes a few rough calculations. We’re probably talking about an inheritance exceeding a billion dollars. My net worth would be comparable to Brick’s.
This is insane. I don’t know why I feel like I might puke.
“And if I say no?” I choke out.
“It’s still yours. You’re my legacy, Madison.”
I let out a long, shaky breath.
“You might as well come and learn how to run things from me now, while I’m still alive. Otherwise, there will be a steep learning curve when you inherit the throne.”
I blink back tears although I’m not sure why I’m crying. There’s just so much emotion stuck in my chest. Pain from all the years of feeling rejected by my father and his family. Overwhelm at now being chosen as worthy. Anger warring with forgiveness.
“May I think about it?” My voice cracks.
Eleanor clasps my hand in both of hers. Her skin is dry, and her hands are cold. “Of course, my dear. It’s not a trick or a test. I’m proud of who you are, Madi, and after keeping you apart from the family all these years, now I selfishly want to know you better.” Her eyes well with tears.
I’m not sure I can say the same.
“You don’t owe me anything. We can start small. You can come to work with me, change your mind and leave. For once in my life, I’m not trying to manipulate.”
I try to swallow and fail. “What about…him?” I look out the door in the direction my sperm-donor went.
“I’m going to tell him. I don’t know how he’ll take the news.”
The floor of the room feels unstable. My skin is hot. I need to get out of here. “It’s a lot to digest, Eleanor.” I call her by her first name mostly as a sign of disrespect. Because I sure as hell won’t be calling her Grandmother. If I call her anything at all.
The old woman receives the rebuke in my voice with a steady blink of her eyes. “I know. I am sorry. I made a horrible mistake with you and your mother. I am trying to make amends before I die.”
I manage a wobbly nod and stumble backward toward the open door.
The lawyer thrusts the envelope addressed to my mother in my hand as I back out. “Take your time considering the offer,” he murmurs, as if this was a business deal not a family matter.
I flee, my stomach in a tight knot as I fast-walk down the hospital hallway.
It’s strange that my first thought is to call Brick rather than Aubrey. And that loss cuts so much more acutely than anything Eleanor Harrington has ever done to me or my family.
Chapter Twelve
Brick
I keep myself extremely calm over the next couple of days. It’s a practice in mind-control. I don’t allow myself to think about Madi. I only concentrate on Moon Co. If my business is strong, my pack members won’t defect–they would lose their shares.
All of that goes to shit when Ruby shows up knocking at my penthouse door after work.
When I open the door, she scans my face with concern.
“Still sane,” I mutter in answer to her unspoken question.
She pushes past me, walking into the living room on her high heels. “Well, then, what the fuck, Brick?”
“Which part?”
She whirls to face me and spreads her manicured fingers. “Let’s see…could it be the fact that you haven’t been to see Mom in your own building after she nearly died defending your mate? Or maybe that you left Madi on an island to publicly find a mate?” Despite being my older sister, Ruby usually plays more of a support role to my alpha. Her condemnation hits me square in my already gutted chest.
“Are you really this broken around female relationships, Brick? Are you trying to go moon mad again by ruining your relationship with Madi?”
Electricity sparks and sears behind my eyes. I stab my fingers through my hair. “Do you think it’s ruined?”