My gaze sharpens on his conclusion that we should enter the auction process for Tordon Industries. It has the best numbers of the three and would give us the best platform to leverage our strengths into the services industry. Diversification is vital at this point in our life cycle. We have to evolve and continue to grow beyond the current holdings if we want to remain relevant in today’s economy. But just because Harrison isn’t fucking up the big picture doesn’t mean he’s not burying something else in this report that could torpedo the acquisition. Which means I’ll have to scour every page with a fine-tooth comb to make sure there’s not something I’m missing.

Having a vice president with ulterior motives is fucking exhausting, because it means I’m doing both his job and mine to make sure he can’t intentionally or unintentionally fuck the company over. He’s the only person who would dare defy me in my role as CEO, but having my hands tied by Commodore as chairman of the board forces me to be extra vigilant. There’s no time to turn my back on him for a second.

“So, have you seen her?” Of course Harrison won’t fucking let it go.

“Can we get back to business?”

My brother kicks back in the chair, balancing it on the rear two legs.

One tip. That’s all it would take to send him over.

I resist. Barely.

“She is business, as far as I’m concerned. You lost your fucking mind over her years ago, and I need to know, as vice president of this company, if I need to worry about you pulling a repeat performance.”

I level a stare on my brother that would have any other man scuttling out of my presence, mumbling apologies as he went. Harrison’s lip just curls.

“I’m not having this conversation with you.”

He ignores my warning tone and keeps pushing. “I wonder how Mother will handle Whitney Gable coming back?”

My jaw clenches and I grit my teeth together as I count to ten. “Clearly, you don’t have enough fucking work if you’ve got all this time to spend on gossip.” I reach into the drawer of my desk and pull out a thick file. “We have a litigation matter I’d like you to assist legal with. It’s a property dispute that we’ve been dealing with for ten years and haven’t been able to resolve. I’m sure you can handle it.”

Harrison’s eyes narrow. “I don’t want to deal with that shit.”

“Good thing it’s my decision and not yours.” I let go of my copy of the old file and it lands between us with a thump. “You’re excused. If I find any errors in your report, I’ll let you know.”

My brother picks up the file.

“You think you’re so high-and-mighty, big brother? You know what they say—the bigger they are . . .” He smirks and laughs. “I’m going to find some popcorn and get ready for the explosion that comes when Mother finds out Whitney Gable didn’t stay gone. I hope your whore showing back up doesn’t put her heart over the edge.”