A woman in her forties, wearing a crisp maroon pantsuit and carrying a leather briefcase, nodded at Yvette. Obvious lawyer. Next to her, a younger and slim man with dark skin, wearing wire-rimmed glasses, held a tablet and a stack of folders. And behind them both, a broad-shouldered man with a shaved head and a cheap navy blazer stood with his hands clasped in front of him.

  Four people. Morthisal had power enough to easily control one. Two was doable, but it was better when the individuals were weak-minded or willed. It had worked with Cody and Greg in Seattle when the pair of former drug addicts had tried to rob him near an ATM. Three would completely drain him. Four. Four!

  Still, he and Yvette had agreed on several plans and had made a list in order of likelihood of acceptance before Philip arrived. One thing he had hoped would not happen was this very scenario.

  Morthisal stepped aside and gestured them in.

  "Ms. Sterling." Philip did not offer his hand. "I expected this to be a private conversation."

  "Private? Look at your entourage. I expected you to come alone," Yvette replied in a flat tone.

  Philip shrugged one shoulder. "This is my attorney, Katherine Marsh. My assistant, Anil. And Mr. Briggs, who handles my personal security. Surely you didn't think I would appear here without legal representation."

  "I did, but is security necessary for a family discussion?"

  "It's necessary when the family in question has a history of manipulation." Philip pulled out a chair and sat without being invited.

  Morthisal had to admit that was a good reason.

  Philip's entourage arranged themselves around him. Katherine took the seat to his left. Derek sat to his right and opened his tablet. Briggs remained standing near the wall, arms crossed.

  "And this is?" Philip pointed at Morthisal.

  "Hey. I know that guy. He's an actor. Yo, dude. You just scored a role in that movie with that one chick from that one movie." Philip's assistant, Anil, put in.

  "Accurate." Mothisal nodded. "I am Vince Logan."

  "Never heard of you." Philip looked Morthisal over before turning a baleful gaze on Yvette.

  Morthisal stared back, unblinking, until Philip turned his eyes on Yvette.

  "An actor? Really, Yvette?"

  "My personal life is no business of yours, Philip. Besides, weren't you once engaged to an escort?"

  Philip's already ruddy complexion turned even redder. He took a breath and snapped, "Irina was not an escort!"

  "Apologies if that is the case. I read about her in the tabloids." Yvette offered a sweet smile.

  Morthisal could have sworn Philips' head would soon begin spouting steam from his ears.

  The man ground his teeth together, took a breath, clasped his hands together, and calmly placed them on the table.

  Morthisal sat beside Yvette and poured himself a cup of water as he considered how to handle this situation. He could hit Philip with a thread and force him to sign something, but Katherine would object. He could hit Katherine, but then Philip would surely notice her sudden compliance. He could not hit all four at once. One after another might work, but he might well run out of power by the fourth. It would take just one of them to break the influential suggestion and possibly free the others. Then many uncomfortable questions would arise.

  "Why are you here exactly?" Philip asked Morthisal.

  "Moral support."

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  Philip snorted. " So you're the actor from that zombie movie or whatever it is."

  Morthisal ignored the fact that Philip had just pretended not to know him. "It is not a zombie movie."

  "Whatever."

  "Philip. He just landed a big movie. Oh my god. I'm losing it here. What is that chick's name? She was in the one about the lady who goes on the hunt-"

  "Serena Winters," Morthisal interrupted.

  Philip's derisive look dropped. "Really?"

  Morthisal nodded.

  "So cool," Anil said under his breath.

  "Do you like movies, Anil?" Morthisal asked the young man.

  "So much. I'd love to work in the biz. How did you get started?"

  "Anil," Philip shushed him.

  Anil rolled his eyes but stopped talking.

  Philip blew out an exasperated sigh. "Yvette, I came here as a courtesy because you asked. But I didn't fly to Los Angeles to negotiate with your arm candy."

  Morthisal's jaw tightened. He pictured Philip Brennan sprinting down Sunset Boulevard in his underwear, bleating like a sheep that had consumed too much ale, screaming at passersby that he was the messiah. The image brought Morthisal a small, private comfort. If only he had the extra power to spare.

  "Philip," Yvette ignored the jibe. "My father's will was clear. The estate passes to me. Your challenge has no legal standing."

  Katherine Marsh opened her briefcase and removed a thick document. "Actually, Ms. Sterling, the will contains several ambiguities regarding the original partnership agreement between your father and his half-brother. We believe those ambiguities entitle Mr. Brennan to a significant portion of the estate, including shares in Sterling Global Solutions."

  "Those ambiguities were addressed in the 2019 amendment…"

  Morthisal gestured for Anil to come sit by him. Philip shot his assistant a nasty look, but Morthisal gave Anil a little push to make him comply.

  The legal chatter went on around them as the assistant sat down. Morthisal leaned to the side and whispered to Anil, "I can take you on set. Do you like Yvette Winters?"

  "So much, dude. So much. She's hot."

  "She is, yes," Morthisal whispered back, playing into Anil's comment. "Would you like to meet her?"

  Morthisal added a little more power.

  "I'd do anything, man. I mean, as long as it doesn't piss off Philip."

  "We can keep this between us. I'll give you my number."

  Anil practically squirmed in his seat.

  "I'll text her later today."

  Anil's eyes practically bugged out of his eyes. "You and she text?"

  Morthisal nodded like it was the most common occurrence in the world, then returned his attention to the legal speak.

  Katherine slid the document across the table. "We have medical records suggesting diminished capacity at the time of signing."

  Yvette didn't touch the document. "My father was sharper on chemo than most people are on their best day."

  "That's a lovely sentiment," Philip said. "But it's not a legal argument. Maybe you should have brought a lawyer instead of that guy." He nodded once toward Morthisal.

  Morthisal interjected. "How much do you want, Mr. Brennan?"

  Philip turned to him. The thin lips curled upward. "Excuse me?"

  "You are challenging the will because you want money. So. How much?"

  "This isn't about money."

  "Everything is about money." With you people, he didn't add.

  "Not this. And it has nothing to do with you." Philip leaned forward and locked eyes with Yvette. "My brother cut me out of the family business thirty years ago. He built his empire on a foundation that I helped pour. I want what's mine. Shares. Board representation. A seat at the table."

  "You want control," Yvette said.

  "I want recognition."

  "No. You want money. Vince is right. Everyone wants money," Yvette said sharply. "Let's just cut to the chase. How much? As you can imagine, I have access to large amounts of funds."

  "We're not interested." Katherine Marsh produced a second document and placed it beside the first. "We've prepared a proposed settlement. Mr. Brennan receives fifteen percent of Sterling Global Solutions, a permanent board seat, and retroactive compensation for his contributions to the company's founding. In exchange, he drops the lawsuit and all future claims against the estate."

  Yvette did not move. Did not blink.

  "That's four billion dollars," she said quietly. "It sounds like you are here for money."

  "That's not the point," Philip replied, flustered. "Katherine, show them the filing."

  Anil tapped his tablet and turned it to face Yvette and Morthisal. A legal document filled the screen, dense with text and stamped with an official seal.

  "Get over here," Philip shot at Anil.

  Anil lowered his head, pushed his chair back, and stood, then went to Philip's side. When the ruddy-faced man wasn't watching, Morthisal shot Anil a wink.

  "We filed a motion this morning," Katherine said. "The court has agreed to expedite the hearing. If you don't settle before Thursday, this goes public. Every financial outlet in the country will be running stories about Sterling Global's contested ownership. Your stock price will take a hit. Your board will panic. Your investors will start making phone calls."

  Yvette's composure held, but Morthisal noticed her left hand had curled into a fist beneath the table.

  Philip smiled. It was the smile of a man who knew he held the better cards.

  "Thursday, Yvette. Four days."

  Philip moved to stand. Katherine opened her briefcase to shuffle her documents back in.

  Morthisal slammed his hand on the table and added a bit of power for effect. The sound was like a shot, and stopped everyone. Morthisal's voice came out powerful and commanding. "Sit down. All of you. We are not done here!"

  Next to him, Yvette arched her eyebrows at him.