Mine to Promise (Southern Wedding #6)(74)

“You’re excused,” I say to him as I open the folder I placed on the table when we walked in. I hand them each a sheet of paper with columns and numbers. I slide it to them, Mr. Laurier snapping it up in his hands. “As you can see, the three of you have been, well—” I look for words to say.

“Having a field day with funds that were not yours.” I look over at Casey, whose face grimaces. “So, for the past couple of weeks, we’ve had the pleasure to show this to some of the shareholders.”

“Past couple of weeks?” Mr. Laurier says. “Are you saying you went behind my back?”

“I am, in fact,” I say, nodding, “saying that we went behind your back.”

“I’m not taking the praise for this,” Casey declares. “This was all Stefano. I’m just here because I knew someone.” He looks at me. “Go on.”

“This is bullshit.” Mr. Laurier slaps the table with his hand. “I want you out of this office now.”

I just stare at him while Casey laughs. “I don’t think so.” I laugh also. “You see, I sort of—” I move my head from side to side. “Kind of”—I snap my fingers—“am the majority shareholder.”

“That’s,” Mr. Laurier shouts, “that’s impossible!”

“But is it?” Casey asks him, then turns to me. “Go for it.”

“Mr. Laurier,” I say his name, “from my findings, you have been dipping your hand where it shouldn’t go.” I smirk. “But you aren’t the only one.” I look over at the other two. “You see your son, Gerald, has a hotel room that is booked four times a week with the company card.” I look at him, and his face goes white as I turn to him. “And I don’t think you are bringing clients there.” I don’t wait for him to say anything. “And, well, Kristina over here, she has a little bit of an issue that she needs help with.”

“Shut the fuck up,” she says, slapping her hand on the table.

“And, well, you.” I point at Mr. Laurier. “There are the family vacations. The hotel suites. The private jets are all paid for by the company.”

“I have an allowance.” He shoots to his feet as his chair flies back. “My father started this company.”

“He sure did,” I confirm. “And we aren’t even going to go into all that. Because if we went through all of it, your father would have been behind bars for the way he obtained some of his materials. But, in the end, I’m sure you will be handing it down to your kids.” I look at the two next to him.

“It’s a family tradition,” he states.

“You have just the two children, then?” I ask him, and he is about to answer me when the door opens and in comes the other person I hate.

“What is going on?” she asks, looking around at her husband and kids. “Why the hell did you summon me here?” I shake my head and look down. How the fuck did Addison come from these people? My hands bunch into fists on the table.

“Mrs. Laurier,” I say, my voice tight, “I was explaining to your husband and your two children that I now am the primary shareholder in the company.” Everything I’ve done in the last year has paid off for this moment right here. Standing before her family, taking what they love the most away from them.

“This is fucking bullshit.” Gerald jumps out of his seat, just like his father.

“No,” I say quietly and stand. “What is bullshit is the four of you.” I look over at Casey, and he just smirks. “I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced.” I look over at the woman. “My name is Stefano Dimitris.” They all look at me like it means nothing, and I guess to them, it doesn’t. “You would know who I am if you were in your daughter’s life.”

They look over at Kristina, who holds up her hands. “I have no idea who he is.”

“Not that daughter,” I explain. “I’m talking about Addison.” The minute I say her name, the blood drains from their faces. “I’m guessing from the reaction on your faces that you know who I’m talking about. You see, you turned your back on her over six years ago.”

“Yeah, so what?” Gerald says. “She was stupid enough to get knocked up.”

“Breathe,” Casey says from beside me.

“I’d watch what you say.” I look into his eyes. “You’re talking about my fiancée and my daughter.

So if you don’t want to eat from a straw for the rest of your life, I would watch the next words that

come out of your mouth.”

“Are you threatening me?” He puffs out his chest.

“Nope, threat means I won’t do it.” I smirk. “This is me telling you that I’ll make you eat from a straw for the rest of your life.”

“What the fuck is going on?” Mr. Laurier says.

“What is going on, old man, is”—I look at him—“this is your last day working for this company.”

I look at Casey, who nods at me and gets up. “As much fun as this was.” I take the other paper in the folder and hand it to them. “You will see, Casey bought two shares of the company.” I smile big at them. “While I bought the other sixty shares. Which means…” I hold up a hand. “Which means I move to have you removed from the company,” I declare. “All in favor, say aye.”