“Yes.”
“Certainly, sir. Please hold a moment.”
I listen to classical music for thirty seconds while I’m on hold. Then Marnie comes back on the line.
“I’m sorry, sir, but Carter is in a meeting.”
That dodgy little fuckwit. “Tell him that if he doesn’t take my call, I’m getting on the phone with TriCast next.”
“Yes, sir. Please hold.”
Ten seconds later, Carter picks up. “Cole.”
I growl, “Hello, traitor.”
His sigh is heavy and melodramatic. “You see? This is why I don’t tell you things. You overreact.”
“I react in accordance with the situation. Which you know. You also know the reason you’ve avoided my calls the past few days is because you did something wrong. Now tell me what the fuck you were thinking by meeting with TriCast.”
“I’m not telling you anything if you’re going to continue using that rude tone of voice with me.”
“It’s not my tone you should be worried about, you dumb prick. It’s how long the surgery to reconstruct your nose will to take.”
“Why does everything with you have to be a threat of violence?”
“Because that’s the only thing stupid people understand.”
Another melodramatic sigh. “You know I’m smarter than you are, right?”
That makes me chuckle. “In your dreams.”
“You’re forgetting about the aptitude tests Dad made us take when we were teenagers. My IQ is higher than yours by two points.”
“Let’s see how much you care about the difference between our IQs when you’re missing your front teeth, genius.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“You’re lucky I haven’t told Callum about your meeting, or what would be unbelievable is how hard you’d flap your arms to try to fly after he threw you off the roof of the building.”
His voice turns sour. “Yes, you two are peas in a violent little pod, aren’t you?”
I know we could go back and forth like this all day, so I redirect the conversation. “TriCast. They’re our enemies. You took a meeting with the board to discuss a buyout. What the fuck?”
“First tell me how you know.”
“I have friends in low places. Talk. Why the hell would you meet with them?”
“Because Sophia Bianco just joined the firm as their new COO.”
I wait for more explanation. When it doesn’t come, I say, “Get to the point before I die of old age.”
“Do you know who she is?”
“No idea.”
“Never seen a picture of her?”
“What did I just fucking say? I don’t know the woman!”
“I don’t know her either, which is why I took the meeting.”
“If you don’t get to the point in five seconds, I’ll smash all the windows in your Hummer.”
“I don’t even like that thing. I only got it to piss off Dad.”
“Very mature of you. Fine, I’ll smash all the windows in your Ferrari.”
“Which one?”
“Jesus fucking Christ. How are we even related?”
“I don’t know, but I think Mom must’ve had an affair with Paul Newman. It would explain my good looks. You and Callum look like Neanderthals. As I was saying, Sophia Bianco. She’s the new COO at TriCast, and the most beautiful woman in the world.”
It takes me a moment. When I understand what he’s getting at, I groan. “You’re not fucking serious.”
“Oh, brother, I’m as serious as I’ve ever been. Wait until I show you her picture. Your eyes will fall out!”
“For God’s sake, Carter! You don’t take meeting with our sworn enemies so you can hit on some broad you’ve never met!”
“How else was I supposed to meet her? Standing in line at Starbucks?”
“It’s a miracle you’ve made it this far in life. I’m shocked you haven’t electrocuted yourself by sticking your wet finger into a socket to see if it would tickle.”
“I have, and it does.”
I shake my head in disbelief.
“And who decided TriCast is our sworn enemy, anyway? That’s awfully dramatic. They’re just our biggest competitor, not an invading army.”
“What you don’t understand about business would fill solar systems. Did you at least get this broad’s number?”
“Don’t call her a broad. That’s disrespectful. She’s a lady. An elegant, beautiful lady.”