how many offers Nikki’s department had made. Obviously, he’d have to pay more per share. “It’s almost as if someone knew in advance when a block would be available and snatched it right out from under us.” Still scanning the columns, he held out his hand. Nikki placed another paper in it.
Although he hadn’t spoken, it was exactly the information he’d wanted. Nikki had always been able to anticipate his requests, sometimes even before he’d known what they were. He should concentrate on what she was trying to tell him instead of assuming he was right and she was wrong.
“The buyers are all companies,” he commented with a frown.
“We only discovered the connection between Lacefield Foods and Karrenbrock Ventures after the market closed on Thursday. We spent Friday looking for a link with these other companies.”
Carter still frowned. “With Lacefield’s three percent, that gives Karrenbrock control of seventeen percent. Significant, but not a problem.”
Nikki’s eyes met his. “With Dee Ann’s ten percent, he’d control twenty-seven percent, which nearly equals your personal holdings.”
“You’re saying my wife would join with her father to vote against me?”
“Either that or join with you and vote against her father.”
He’d never thought of it quite that way. He’d known he was vulnerable, but he’d expected to beef up his shares before now. Deep inside, Carter felt the beginnings of panic. He suddenly realized that not since its inception had Belden Industries been at such risk. The paper in his hands quivered and he dropped it on the yellow-and-black-striped spread, disgusted by this outward sign of agitation.
Panic is a response that results from a perceived loss of control, he told himself. Carter was in control. He took a deep breath. He’d remain in control. He’d use the panic to provide an edge, an edge that had been dulled by endless wedding preparations.
“Of course, Saunders, Julian and I will vote our shares with you, which will guarantee you thirty-nine percent without Dee Ann’s stock,” Nikki assured him. “What concerns us is the possibility that Karrenbrock, through his subsidiaries, controls even more Belden stock.”
Alegitimate concern, and one he planned to address. “But you don’t know for certain.”
“We need time to find out.”
Carter gazed at her as she returned the papers to the folder, closed it and opened another one.
Mentally, he stepped back to assess the situation and the personalities involved. How much of what Nikki had told him was a valid business concern and how much was fueled by jealousy?
He couldn’t blindly accept the fact that his future father-in-law would threaten his company. It made more sense that the man would take steps to strengthen it so that his daughter—and future grandchildren—would benefit. “Why should I be concerned if my father-in-law owns a large chunk of my company? Shouldn’t I consider that a show of support?”
“I wouldn’t presume to tell you what to consider it, Carter,” she responded in a bored voice. “Victor Karrenbrock is a direct competitor in several areas of industrial manufacturing. You recently positioned yourself to enter oil-field supply, one of his main sources of revenue. It’s a tight, lean field. He’s bound to resent it.”
“Business is business,” Carter stated reflexively.
“Exactly.” Nikki opened another file. “Which is why we suspected that he’d attempt a hostile takeover while you were on your honeymoon.”
Preposterous. “And so you took it upon yourself to see that there was no honeymoon.” Outrageous.
“We thought it best.” She smiled. It was a little smile full of self-satisfaction. It infuriated him.
“You went too far!” Carter swept all Nikki’s facts and figures to the floor of the cabin. “You suspect!” His voice rose. “Suspect? Think? Probably?” He was shouting even though it renewed the pounding in his head. “On such a flimsy premise, you ruined my wedding?”
Nikki, her eyes wide, backed off the berth. “We need more time to verify—”
“Turn this boat around and take me back to my wife!” He groaned and grabbed his temple.
When he released his breath, he distinctly heard her say, “No.”
“What do you mean no? I’m ordering you to sail back to the dock.”
She laughed. Laughed. “On whose authority?”
Was he still asleep? Were his dreams turning into nightmares? “On my authority!”
“The Honey Bee belongs to me now. I’m her captain and I’ll decide where she sails.”
This was not the Nikki he knew. This was not the Nikki who worked with him. Worked for him. Matching her smug smile, he relaxed. “Then, as your boss, I’m ordering you to return me to shore.”
“I don’t work for you anymore. You fired me.” She looked thoughtful. “Come to think of it, you fired all of us. Better not count on that eleven percent voting your way.”
The throbbing at the sides of his temples increased. Without this blasted headache, he’d be able to think his way through this mess. “I rescind my firing. Now, take me back.”
Lacing her fingers in front of her, she drew a deep breath. “That wouldn’t be wise.”
“Okay.” Inexplicably, Carter’s anger seeped away, leaving him feeling like a deflated balloon. “Nikki, what’s done is done. Now I’ve got to make things right with Dee Ann, or she will vote against me.”
“Carter…” For the first time, Nikki’s calm facade cracked. “Any stock she owns, she purchased herself. The ceremony never took place.”
“But you said—” He broke off and jerked his left hand up. No wedding ring encircled his finger. Mutely, he stared at her.
Nikki’s mouth twisted. “You aren’t married to Dee Ann, you’re married to me.”
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