King's Crown (Oil Kings Book 1)

by Marie Johnston

  She ran her finger down the page, her mouth working over the data. “I can already see how you can compare the expense of a mill versus a well and how long it’ll take to pay off.”

  I nodded. “They each have their own advantage, and they each have major disadvantages, both with cost and climate. But it doesn’t do to put it in my language. The investors need it in theirs. At least I speak it better than Emilia.”

  “You should have someone who didn’t grow up oil but knows the business write it instead.”

  “I agree. Aiden’s got too much to do, so this is what I do on weekends.”

  She sighed wistfully and tapped her forehead. “The report is already forming up here.” She rattled off how she’d start it and then put it in layman’s terms that wasn’t insulting the investors intelligence. Pure facts, but with personality. Something Aiden and I struggled with.

  “I could use you on the team.” I needed to have a long talk with Emilia.

  “Maybe in another life, right?”

  Maybe not, but I had to do some checking first. I didn’t want to shove another job at her that she didn’t want but was in a position where she couldn’t say no. Besides, it’d take some work with Emilia.

  As we ate, she read over the rest and we chatted about how I should present the information. Her style was so out of my comfort zone. I would usually pick out the highlights of the report, run a few numbers, and there they had it. Aiden would roll his eyes, but since the meetings were in person, I could talk through everything else.

  I was walking her to her car when another familiar car drove up. A stern face glared at me from the window.

  Emilia.

  Kendall stiffened next to me. We stopped on the edge of the sidewalk. I should’ve had her park in the garage, but the weather was nice and I didn’t care who knew she was here.

  Emilia got out, her eyes narrowed on my hand on Kendall’s back. “What the hell, Gentry?”

  “Emilia.”

  “I told you to be done with her.”

  I cocked my head. “Excuse me. You told her to quit, and she chose to.”

  “That didn’t mean you should keep sleeping with her.” She crossed her arms. It was Sunday, but she was dressed like she was heading to a board meeting right after this. Red power-suit and heels. “Aiden let slip that she was helping you out in the office. You know the rules.”

  “It’s your policy that no one agrees with,” I said calmly.

  I didn’t have to look at Kendall’s hands to know she was white-knuckling her overnight bag. I kept my hand on her back.

  Emilia jabbed a finger toward her. “She got a job at King Oil. She got into the inner office. Now she’s here.” She gave me a how stupid are you look. “Did she offer to help you with work while she was here?”

  “Ms. Boyd.” Unfortunately, Kendall sounded guilty as hell.

  “She has some valuable insight,” I said.

  “I’ll bet it’s her insight that got her access to your secure information.” Emilia turned her glare to Kendall, looking like an eagle ready to puncture a rodent with its beak. “You need to stop sleeping with him and forget King Oil. Forget Gentry. I don’t know how I ever thought you’d be good for my grandson. I wish I could go back in time. Have some self-respect and go after someone your own age.”

  With the way Emilia scared her off before, I was afraid her sheer meanness was all it’d take. “Emilia—”

  “I have to go.” Kendall skittered out of my reach to her vehicle.

  “Kendall,” I took a step after her.

  “Gentry. You’ve always needed me to clean up your messes.”

  That statement got through the upset she’d caused showing up here. I had enough. Before Kendall got into her car, I called to her. “I’ll call you tonight.”

  She looked at me, then at Emilia. Her gaze darted away and she drove off. Maybe I should’ve dealt with this while Kendall was here, but I had a feeling Emilia would listen better one on one.

  When I turned back to Emilia, her gloating expression only raised my blood pressure. She opened her mouth to speak, but I talked over her. “Let’s go inside.”

  “I’ve done all I needed to here. I heard she was still clinging to you and when I saw her car I knew I had to stop.” She turned her back on me.

  Which meant she’d probably been driving by often looking for Kendall’s car. “Emilia,” I snapped. “Get the fuck inside. We’re going to talk.”

  Her shoulders went rigid and she slowly turned around. I’d never spoken to her that way.

  I let her lead. When we were in and she was seated on the couch I hardly used in the living room, I sat across from her.

  I looked her in the eye and said, “I’m not letting her go and it’s none of your business.”

  “Do I need to remind you that your job—”

  “Is my job. Fire me. Or don’t. But you don’t get a say about Kendall. If you don’t want her touching King Oil business, fine, but it’s your loss. She’s really good at understanding information, and I think the investors would love her. We all know what a hard time they have with you.”

  Her jaw went tight and she looked away. Rebranding the company hadn’t been enough all those years ago. Emilia and DB had nearly run the company into the ground, and we did a major overhaul. Along with the name change and my promotion to CEO, we’d moved headquarters to Billings. She still had power, but there was enough buffer to keep her influence from being completely negative.

  “And know that if you fire me, you’re hurting Aiden.”

  She sucked in a breath and seemed to consider what I was saying. “Aiden’s a big boy and more than capable of taking over.”

  It wasn’t a job for one guy. Hell, it wasn’t a job for two guys, but I let that matter drop. “Then fire me, Emilia. But if you ever talk to Kendall like that again, we are done. We are fucking done.”

  She recoiled, putting her hand on her heart. “Gentry—”

  “And you will apologize.”

  Her hand slipped down and she peered at me. “She’s really gotten to you.”

  “She couldn’t care less whether she works at King Oil or not. She just wants to work, and bonus if she enjoys the job. But I’m the lucky bastard she cares about—despite the way Beckett spoke to her over the phone and how you treat her. She’s not with me for my money, and I don’t care one fuck who believes that.”

  “But she’s so young. What if she wants kids, what if she wants—”

  “Still not your business. I know what she wants and she knows what I want.” I held her gaze. “I loved Sarah. You know that. It’s why you didn’t care if I slept around after her death. As long as they didn’t get near my heart—or near the company—you didn’t care. Kendall’s done both and you’re scared.”

  Emilia’s eyes misted over and she looked away, her chin lifted. “First, I lost Sarah. Then I lost DB. I’m not losing this company.”

  Never mind losing me, but Emilia wasn’t one to show emotion to anyone. I often thought she pointed DB out of a crowd and said, “You. We’re getting married,” and that was that.

  “It’s all I have.” She waved at me. “You have your own life, but as long as you had no life, you were dedicated to the company.”

  “You have four grandkids.”

  She scoffed. “Four grown men have no use for a grandma. It’s not like I’ve knitted a single stitch in my entire life to give them each a hat to remember me by.”

  “Remember that before you drive them away with your trust talk.”

  “It’s hundreds of millions of dollars, Gentry.”

  “It’s your grandsons.”

  “It’s all I have to leave them.” She sniffled and looked away again.

  Ah. I should’ve guessed. Just like I figured out why Kendall bothered Emilia so badly, I should’ve seen behind her motivations with the trusts. It was still about her animosity with the Cartwrights, but it was also all she knew to pass on. She didn’t sew, or knit, or have any other tra
de or treasured item to pass down. She had money. And Sarah had tied it up out of her reach. Probably for the very reason the Boyds made all that money in the first place. First, they screwed over their friends selling them land they suspected had oil, and then used their mineral rights to make millions.

  Emilia tapped her fingers on her thigh. “You really like this girl?”

  “I’m in love with her.” I would’ve liked to have told Kendall first, but it needed to be done this way. Emilia needed to know how serious I was.

  “You never said that when I asked you how you felt about Sarah that day.”

  I remembered. I’d said that I care about her and would do what’s right. The love came later and it was still there. “I miss her, Emilia. Every day. Don’t ever doubt it. We loved each other and she was my best friend. But it was a lifetime ago. Kendall is my now. She’s my future. And I think you’d find she could be good for the company’s future.”

  There was that proud lift of her chin. “I’ll think about it.”

  I grinned. “Think all you want. You’re still going to apologize.”

  Chapter 21

  Kendall

  My eyes were scratchy from crying, and my throat was raw. I was at work today, wearing the same thing I had on yesterday when I left Gentry’s. I’d stayed at my parents and ignored his calls and messages. Had he stopped by my apartment?

  He could’ve probably figured out where my parents lived, but he respected my wishes. His last message said, Please call me when you’re ready.

  Emilia hated me. She thought I was a deceitful mistress, and after a lifetime of people pleasing, it bothered me on a level I couldn’t begin to understand. I didn’t even know her. Why did I care?

  “That’ll be two fourteen, please.” I bagged up the T-shirts. Mondays were dollar shirt day. I had barely needed any training. The days of working here through college came roaring back.

  I hadn’t made it any farther now that I had then. I’d finished my education. No job. And I was still running my siblings all over town.

  Shoppers were milling around, but no one was at the till. I dug out a rag and the Windex and starting polishing off the conglomeration of fingerprints that had built up on the display glass over the weekend.

  “Where can I find Kendall Brinkley?” The deep voice behind was eerily familiar, but it wasn’t Gentry.

  I straightened and looked up. Familiar dark eyes, a stern face much like his brother’s, and seething hatred in his eyes.

  Beckett. The angry voice on the phone in Douglas.

  I sighed and set the rag down. “Hi, Beckett. I’m Kendall.”

  “You know who I am?”

  “Obviously, you’re a regular here.”

  He frowned and I wanted to giggle. The freedom of my sarcastic remark was intoxicating. He was wearing a suit that probably cost more than what I’d make in a year working both the thrift store and the diner.

  “We need to talk.”

  We really didn’t, but my urge to fight was drained. Catty comments were all I had after a shitty night’s sleep in my old bed. I looked around the store and found the only other employee on today. “Gladys, can you take over for me for a bit?”

  “Sure.” The older woman zoomed around a rack and stopped when she saw Beckett. She glanced from him to me.

  I just said “thanks” and headed for the back office, not caring if he followed. From the faces popping up like prairie dogs tracking my progress, he was right behind me.

  I stepped into the office but didn’t shut the door. I didn’t care if the world heard my drama. It might be good for business.

  I didn’t sit, but folded my arms and faced him. Like the others, I could pick out what traits were from him and what must come from his mother. Like his brothers, he strongly resembled his dad. His mannerisms were probably from Sarah, though I had yet to see him as anything but pissed.

  “What business do you have with my dad?”

  Seriously? “I don’t think you’re old enough to hear it.”

  He jerked like he couldn’t believe I’d made the joke. I couldn’t either, but it was invigorating. “Do you think this is funny? You targeted my dad for his money, for his—”

  I put a hand up and closed my eyes. Surprised it actually worked, I took a steadying breath. “Look. I’ve had a day that started yesterday when your grandma chewed me out and called me a traitorous gold digger. I don’t care to hear those accusations again. You have a grudge against your dad, for good reason, I understand.” I shrugged. “Though you don’t understand.”

  “What the hell don’t I understand?”

  I really should butt right out, but this might be the last time I ever had to interact with him so I didn’t care. “That your dad had no one to turn to. That he sought out temporary relief for lasting pain. That he let no one in, but somehow I got in over a game of Scrabble. Or it might have been War. Maybe gin rummy.”

  His brows dropped. “What?”

  “In the hotel, he wanted nothing to do with me, but the power went out. So we played cards and board games. It gave us a lot of time to get to know each other.”

  “My dad? Played games?”

  “Yep.”

  Beck’s upper lip curled. “What else did you do?”

  “Not what I wanted. He stopped it at a kiss. Then we flew home and went our separate ways.”

  He shook his head. “You worked at—”

  “He got me the job. I didn’t ask for it.” I rubbed my temples. “And I’m so grateful for that storm. I never would’ve tolerated working for you.”

  “I never would’ve hired you.”

  “And I never would’ve hit on you. Boys aren’t my type.”

  His look turned incredulous. “Boys?”

  I put my hands on my hips, almost done with this conversation. “Guys who haven’t grown up. Guys who use their girlfriends or wives as tools for convenience. Guys who blame others for why they’re not where they want to be in life. I’ve been there. Have the ex-husband with the college girlfriend to prove it. I’m done. And honestly, I’m done with your dad too. If he tolerates your grandmother dictating my life—and his—nope. Done.”

  I huffed out a breath. That was so freeing. I gave up a marriage because Darren made me choose between him and my family. Then I let him sweet talk me into staying in the house, just so he could end up kicking me out when it suited him. I’d fallen for Gentry because he was the opposite of Darren—ambitious, confident, and secure. But I gave up so much time with him because of what Ms. Boyd might do, or what his kids might think. And then I caved to what they wanted me to do in the end.

  I wanted to work and be the best big sister ever. That was what I would do—single or not. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’m helping my parents out. Feel free to check out the dollar day T-shirt rack.”

  I stormed out of the office. Gladys was behind the counter, a stunned gaze directed at the front door. An imposing figure stood in the entry.

  I stopped. “Gentry. What are you doing here?”

  I don’t know how, but my feet moved again. Gladys leaned forward and whispered, “Are we having a deal on hot men in suits?”

  A nervous giggle escaped. I wasn’t exactly quiet. The whole store probably heard my conversation. What had he heard?

  He didn’t smile when he saw me. So that answered what he’d heard. His grim gaze lifted to look behind me and his jaw flexed. “Beckett.”

  “Dad.”

  “The dollar deal rack is over there.” I started for the counter.

  “Emilia should be contacting you with an apology.” Gentry’s words stopped me again. “And after I talk with Beckett, he’ll apologize as well.”

  “Dad—”

  “Beckett, enough. I told your grams how it was going to be last night, and I’ll tell you. If Kendall still wants to be with me after all this BS, then we are no one’s business. Not your grams. Not you. Not your brothers.”

  Had he really talked to Ms. Boyd? About us? I chanced
a look at Beckett. He was staring at his dad like he’d never seen him before.

  “You told Grams off?” He was stunned. Possibly more than I was. Made sense. He’d grown up around the woman.

  “I did. She’s wrong about Kendall, as are you.” Gentry’s expression softened and he walked toward me. The spectacle we were creating mattered less the closer he got.

  He caressed my face. “I’m sorry.”

  I swallowed. “I thought you—”

  “Would do nothing about Emilia like I’ve always done? I don’t blame you.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m sorry. About all of this.”

  “We knew it was coming.”

  “I should’ve taken care of it before it happened.” He tugged me into him. “Don’t be done with me. I have a lot more to offer.”

  I gave him a little smile. “You still have to teach me Canasta.”

  He was about to kiss me when Beck appeared at our side. “Kendall, if I’m wrong about you, then I will apologize.”

  Gentry’s hold on me tightened like he was afraid I’d storm off again. “Beckett, that wasn’t an apology.”

  “No,” I said. “It’s okay. He needs time before he can trust me. I just want to be treated with respect.”

  Beck dipped his head. “You will have that.” He slid his gaze to his dad. “Did you really? With Grams?”

  The corner of Gentry’s mouth lifted. “I even swore at her.”

  Beck’s brows lifted, then he turned serious again. “Your…girlfriend…said something. About finding temporary relief for lasting pain. It doesn’t change how I feel about everything, but I’ll try to understand better.”

  Gentry released me to put his hand on Beck’s shoulder. “That’s more than I expected. None of it ever changed how things were before your mom died.”

  Beck nodded, his throat working as he turned and strode out of the store. The guy hadn’t gotten over the death of his mom. I hope he found closure someday soon.

  Gentry didn’t let me go. “I think we created a scene.”