“I want a seat on the board of directors of the new company. I know the steel business from the ground up, and I can make the mills a better place for every man toiling on the line.”

Patrick watched Oscar carefully while Liam spoke. A hint of a smile hovered on Oscar’s face.

“I could be persuaded,” Oscar said. “But it would come at a cost. My father has the power to award you that ten-percent share in perpetuity, but you aren’t ready to take them over. Not yet, and maybe not ever. If you sign a legally binding agreement to surrender those votes back to me, I’ll see that you have a seat on the board of U.S. Steel.”

Patrick and Liam had already discussed this. It was exactly what they expected of Oscar, and they were prepared to settle for it. Liam didn’t have the perspective to understand other aspects of the bank’s business, and all he truly wanted was control in the new steel company. All Patrick wanted was to save Gwen’s college. The college cost the bank three million dollars a year. U.S. Steel would make that much in a day.

Patrick met Oscar’s gaze across the desk and laid down his terms. “We want Liam on the board of directors and a clause guaranteeing the annual funding of Blackstone College in perpetuity. If you give us those two things, Liam will surrender his shares back to you.”

“We have a deal,” Oscar said, standing to extend his hand.

Patrick grinned and shook Oscar’s hand. This was exactly what they had hoped. Oscar had probably known what they would be asking, because he had given in too easily for this to be a surprise.

Patrick was ready to proceed to signing on the deal when Liam threw a wrench into the works.

“There’s one more thing I want,” Liam said.

A stone landed in the pit of Patrick’s belly. Why, why, why couldn’t Liam ever control himself? All Patrick’s senses went on alert, and he shot a warning glare at Liam, praying he wasn’t going to ruin this entire deal with an irrational demand.

Oscar looked just as guarded. “Well?” he asked, a hint of menace in that single word.

“I want the Black Rose.”

Oscar stiffened. “Out of the question.”

“Gwen said it belonged to my father and that she inherited it from him,” Liam said. “She gave it to you for nothing. I want it back.”

Oscar didn’t budge. “That yacht is important to me. I take my family out every weekend. I intend to do the same with my son as he comes of age.”