He took his time getting to their largest conference room. The pace gave him an opportunity to leash his temper.

Upon entering the room, he saw Frankie at the head of the table where his father was normally seated. Zail stood at the window in jeans and a suit jacket. Damn programmer couldn’t even put the whole suit on.

“I’ve been pulled away from my very busy schedule because I hear we have an issue,” he said to his visitors. “Uncle Frankie? I do believe you’re in my seat?”

Zail didn’t turn to look at him when he said, “Not yet, bhai.”

Ajay raised an eyebrow, and then motioned to his father’s friend. “I’m sorry you had to come all the way down here.”

“I’m not,” Frankie replied. He steepled his wrinkled fingers. “First, it’s quite unusual to hear about an acquisition of a company through an email, Ajay. The board needs to vote on major decisions like that.”

“You should know that an acquisition of this size doesn’t need board approval. Since the family is still the majority shareholder, we have the authority to make the decision. Out of respect, we’ll be presenting the acquisition for final review at next month’s meeting, but we’ll continue to pursue it.”

Ajay stood across the table from his brother, waiting for Zail to acknowledge that what he was doing could hurt their family.

Could hurt him.

“Puttar,” Frankie said, pursing his lips. “The next board meeting is critical. Your father was supposed to announce his retirement. It’s time. His health has expedited the decision.” Frankie took his time pushing to his feet. He adjusted his glasses, the same ones he’d been wearing for years. “I’m sorry, Ajay, but your brother has filled me in on his concerns about Ms. Hothi’s integrity—”

“There are no concerns—”

“There is also, of course, pending litigation that is troublesome.”

“You mean a divorce? How is a divorce troublesome? Or is that your bias, old man?”

Frankie made a settle down motion with both hands, which spiked Ajay’s temper even further. “You’re young and don’t have a lot of experience. Sometimes a pretty girl can get us a little caught up, right? Zail made the right decision coming to me. It’s obvious you’re not ready to lead Bharat. We can start looking for another CEO now, and in another ten years you can make your case to be CEO at that time.”

Zail whirled. “What the hell? That wasn’t what we discussed, Uncle Frankie.”

“What did you think was going to happen when you asked me to help in blocking the acquisition? This is proof that you boys need to grow up. I have a few great connections that would be more than qualified as CEO—”

“I need you to get out,” Ajay said.

Frankie goggled at him. “Excuse me?”