Page 16 of Twisted Truth

“That is if you can keep your end of the bargain.”

“I will. You need not concern yourself with that.”

“Well, I do concern myself with Greenspan. It’s a waste of money and resources. We lose twenty-five million dollars a year on that company.”

“Green energy is the future. I know you and your friends in big oil don’t like to hear those words, but it doesn’t make them untrue. I refuse to be playing catch-up in twenty years because Langford Holdings didn’t have the guts to stick it out anddevelop technology that will change the world. When this technology is ready for the market, it will make a fortune, just like oil did a century ago.”

“I know TDC Oil is interested in the purchase,” Conrad presses. “We could cut our losses. The board agrees with me on this.”

“That’s because the board is full of old assholes like you who don’t give two shits about what the world will look like in thirty years. Money is fucking irrelevant if there’s not much planet left to live on, don’t you think? For someone who seems to care so fucking much about legacy, you’re extremely short-sighted. There will be no legacy for your future grandchildren if the world doesn’t get its shit together. And who has the means and the capability to make that happen? We do. We’re one of the few who do.”

“So, you’d throw our family’s money at something you’re not even sure will work.”

“We have more goddamn money than we know what to do with. I shit twenty-five million dollars a year. So yes, I’ll throw it at research that will ensure our familyhasa future.”

“TDC Oil can buy the company and take over the research.”

I laugh. “Please tell me you don’t think I’m that stupid, or that you’re that stupid. TDCOilwants to buy ourgreen energy companythat is developing new technology to vastly reduce the need for fossil fuels. Why do you think that is? They want to buy it so they can destroy it and keep fossil fuels and their company the status quo.”

Conrad flounders for something to say.

“Don’t bother. We’re not selling Greenspan, and that’s final. If you don’t like it, I’m happy to buy you into an early retirement. Goodnight, Conrad.”

I end the call and toss my phone onto the couch. To think, I probably have at least another five years with him working at Langford Holdings. The thought makes my balls curl up. Andhis son, my cousin Gregory, is just as bad, and I have at least thirty years left working with him. At least I have Declan and Sterling on my side. But god, it will be the three of us against the board for the next thirty to forty years.

That’s another reason I have to make this little ruse of the girlfriend work. I need to keep my shares. It’s not just about the money. It’s about control of the company. The board is filled with a bunch of sharks who only have their own self-interests in mind. They don’t care what morals and ethics they or our companies break as long as we’re bringing in billions of dollars a year. And while I’m not an altruistic saint by any means, I do have some fucking morals and values. Something most members of our board severely lack.

God bless my mother and father for instilling them into me and my brothers. I know all too well what we’d be like if they hadn’t. We’d be like every other rich asshole we grew up with.

I lean back against the couch and pick up the two photos of the potential candidates I brought home with me. I run my hand over my face, stifling a groan. Nothing about either of these women makes me feel anything but dread. I dated Lillian years ago when we were in college, and one time was enough. The only reason I didn’t outright refuse her as an option is because she was at least less demanding and entitled than most of the high society women I know. But that doesn’t mean I want to date her again. Even if it is fake.

I still can’t believe this is my new fucking reality.

I toss down Lillian’s photo and look at Caroline’s. I don’t know Caroline, but I’ve been acquainted with her in passing, and I haven’t heard many good things about her. I can’t imagine being strapped to her for months on end. Who decided the names on that list, anyway? Because they did a shit job. Yes, all the women come from wealthy or powerful families, and some of them have achieved some truly impressive things, but none seem to fit the bill for what I need. Andthese final two, the supposed best options, make my dick shrivel.

How am I going to fucking do this?

Declan shouts a greeting as my front door shuts with a bang. We work out together most nights after work at my penthouse since we can’t go to a regular gym without practically causing a riot. Plus, Declan’s just started major renovations on his penthouse, and he’s staying with our parents during construction, which means he spends too much time at my penthouse to get away from them. Some nights he drives me crazy, but tonight, with this decision looming over me, I’m glad for the company.

“Dude, what the fuck!”Declan hisses.

Oh, shit. I’m supposed to be spotting him on the bench press, and I’m not paying enough attention. He almost didn’t make that last rep, and the bar wavered. I barely caught it in time before it fell on him. I help him lift the weight bar, and set it back into place.

“What’s up with you?” he demands, sitting up on the bench.

“Sorry, Dec. I’m just distracted tonight.”

“How’d the meeting go? Any good options?”

We move on from weights and decide to hop on the treadmills. Maybe running will help clear my mind.

“It was a joke, as to be expected. We narrowed the list down to two, but I’m far from interested in either of them. It’s a nightmare.”

“Who are they?”

“Lillian,” I say, pointedly.

“Luceria?”