Fiance by Fate Read Free

the premonition of a cross-dressing psychic.”
    “I am keeping an open mind. I may not be Madame Butterfly, but I can safely predict that Jack Brenner is one man who will never, ever be a part of my future.”
    …
    Jack Brenner walked across his father’s penthouse and stared out the window into the night. The Boston skyline was illuminated before him and he felt content being back in the city he grew up in. This was where he belonged. It took some time, but he’d paid his dues and was ready to make the next step in eventually taking over control of Brenner Capital Investments. He assumed that was why his father had transferred him back to Boston—to make the transition easier. Jack couldn’t wait to get started. He loved his job and he did it well. Aside from his family, this company was the one thing he could say he was truly passionate about.
    It was a part of him.
    The front door suddenly opened and his father walked in. Leonard Brenner smiled and extended his arms wide as soon as his gaze landed on Jack. “I’m glad you finally made it, son. You look great.”
    “Thanks. It’s been a while,” he said, giving his father an extra clap on the back. He stepped away and tried not to appear obvious as he assessed his father ‘s appearance. At least on the surface, his dad looked fit and healthy.
    Taking a deep breath, Jack hesitated, not sure he wanted to hear the answer to his next question. “So…how do you feel?”
    His dad gave him a crooked smile as he rubbed his chest. “The old heart’s still ticking, if that’s what you want to know. I’m sorry to tell you that it’ll take more than a little angina to force me to retire.” His smile grew wider, and he looked at Jack with a thoughtful expression. “You know, I’m really glad you’re back. Maybe it was worth getting sick to have you home where you belong.”
    Jack tried to smile, too, but a part of him was still worried about his father. He wished he could have been at the hospital when his father was admitted last month. He would have liked to talk with the doctors personally. Since his mom’s death, his dad was everything to him. Unfortunately, his former girlfriend didn’t quite have the same attitude when it came to family matters and neglected to pass on the message until he’d already been discharged from the hospital.
    “Yeah, I’m glad to be back. The traffic here is crap as per usual, but, all in all, I’ve missed Boston. And you and Laurie, of course,” he added with a dry grin.
    His dad gestured to the living room and took a seat on the white leather sofa. “Well, your sister and I appreciate that. It’s partly why I changed your territory. I assume you know the other reason.”
    Jack sat, too. Anticipation coursed through him as soon as his father mentioned business. This is it , he thought. The National Sales Manager position had opened up and now with his father’s health not what it used to be, the time was growing closer to pass the baton.
    He leaned forward, friction barely keeping him in his seat, but he willed himself to stay in control. “I know exactly why you changed it,” he stated evenly.
    “Good.”
    “I’ll take it.”
    His father paused, deep lines creasing his forehead. “What exactly will you be taking?”
    “The National Sales Manager position. I’ll take it.”
    Leonard blew out a long breath, drumming his fingers on the arm of the sofa in a nervous gesture that made Jack grow wary. “I don’t know how to tell you this, but I’ve decided not to give you that promotion. At least for now.”
    Jack almost fell off the sofa. “What are you talking about? How can I ever take over as president some day if I don’t make this move up in the company now?”
    His father’s sudden silence had him breaking into a cool sweat between the blades of his shoulders. Jack narrowed his eyes. “I am going to take over this company someday, aren’t I?”
    Leonard cleared his throat. “You might be getting ahead