John crossed his arms, and had the same expression Vicki had a moment ago. "My brother is incapable of dating only one woman for long. We allknowthat."
Women were all disappointments and they left. Their father had taunted him the day his mother walked out the door as he said, ‘women are playtoys for men like us.' He had seen her walk out the front doorfrom the marble staircase that she had passed on her way out. They had stared at each other on her journey, and even then their mother hadn't stayed to protect them. She hadn't even said goodbye, and her brown eyes stillhauntedhim.
The door chimed. Alice held John's baby as she opened the door. His brother's face warmed from one glance at his wife and son. Alice had been involved in theirfamily all their lives as Vicki's best friend, and she'd had a lifelong crush on John until he had finally been smart enough to marry her. No girl like that existed for Peter, not that hewantedone.
A second later, Alice walked into the front room with Jennifer and Rafe. Alice, John's wife, radiated almost like his sister. Neither one of his siblings remembered Mom. That had probably helpedthem to be open to marriage. Peter's brown eyes glanced at Jennifer as her new/old boyfriend's arm held hers. Rafe was a good officer, an old high school friend of sorts, and Peterrespectedhim.
He turned to John and said, "I am fully capable of dating onewoman."
"Woah. I clearly missed something," Colt quickly said. "But I'd put moneyonthat."
Peter's muscles tightened.He straightened his spine and said, "What'sthebet?"
John clapped him on his shoulder, again. "You have to date someone we choose for amonth."
His eyes widened. "Youchoose?"
John then stood across from him and met his stare. "It has to be a challenge for you. We don't want you tolerating some girl who sees dollar signs for amonth."
"A girl that money doesn't impressdoesn't exist." Everyone had a price, even if they didn't know whatitwas.
Peter imagined some religious girl set to be a nun as the choice in question. He massaged his shaved chin. "Okay, if I agree to this, what doIget?"
John and Colt shared a look with Vicki. His sister held her fiancé's hand as John said, "Ten percent of my small stake in the company. You get even more majorityownership without question on theboard."
Colt nodded and added, "I'll throw in something. We'll increase production on my farm by at least twenty-five percent, and you'll get that as part of the already existing contract with no extraclauses."
They were both serious about this. Peter licked his lips. "And ifIlose?"
John then glanced at Vicki. "You give ten percent of yourownership to Victoria. Dad screwed her in the will and wasn't giving her money all her life. She has millions instead of billions. You cancorrectthat."
Peter assumed their father had thought Vicki dead, but he might not have. Mitch Morgan had played his family and kept close tabs on all of them until he died. He widened his stance. "The corporationsaremine."
"Without question."John took a stepforward.
Peter squared his shoulders, ready forbattle.
Then Colt said, "Is itabet?"
His brother's small stake in the company meant no one might question or undermine his orders. He swallowed and stared at Vicki. He'd take care of his sister no matter what. This bet was easy. No woman on earth existed that didn't have certain expectations and a playbook.All he had to do was figure out the woman's desires and then ensure she hadeverything.
His thoughts made him predatory, as Vicki would say, but it was just how he saw things. He shrugged, like nothing mattered. "Namethegirl."
John dropped his arms to his side, "Oh,it'son."
Vicki's head went back and forth between John and Colt. "I will pick someone I'd like for a sister-in-law."
Peter swayed on his feet. "You're in onthistoo?"
She nodded. "Now I am. Peter, don't turn out like dad. I want you to behappy."
Her blonde hair and blue eyes warmed his heart. Vicki deserved everything she everwanted.
He smiled at her, "Iam."
She batted her eyes. "Fulfilled is a better word. You deserve to beinlove."
The doorbell rang again.John joined his wife near the door and answered it together. A tall, thin brown-haired, browned-eyed woman stood in the door. Colt stood straighter, and as a result, Peterdidtoo.
