Free MARRYING MR. RIGHT (The Brides of Hilton Head Island Book 3) by Sabrina Sims McAfee Page B

Coming to the end of the hallway, Zeke stopped when he reached the closed door to the conference room. Colton held only important meetings in this room. Knowing this, and considering the urgency that’d been in his father’s voice a little while ago, curiosity piqued Zeke’s interest. Zeke turned the door knob to the big, spacious room and pressed the door wide open.
                  Katherine, Bane, and Antonio were all present inside the conference room overlooking the ocean. Zeke’s father, Colton, sat at the head of the table, and Katherine sat beside him. Bane sat to his father’s left, while Antonio sat to his right. 
                  Antonio brought his watch up to his face. “About time you got here,” he spat, giving Zeke an unjust look.
                  Ignore foolish Antonio . “I got here as fast as I could,” Zeke remarked, feeling as if he shouldn’t have to explain himself. Some of us have important things to do for our communities after work.
                  “Close the door,” Colton ordered. Zeke closed the door, then plopped down in the leather seat next to Bane. Colton’s serious eyes grazed over Katherine’s face first, then Antonio’s, then Banes, and lastly Zeke’s. Colton cleared his throat. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice. As soon as—”
                  The door flung open, and his father’s attorney, Gar Grainger, stormed in. “Got stuck in traffic. Sorry.” Gar plopped down in the vacant seat next to Zeke.
                  Colton continued. “As I was saying before Gar came in, thank you all for coming this evening, especially on such short notice. The reason I called you here is because there’s something important I have to tell you. What I have to tell you will affect each and every one of you.”
                  Katherine cupped Colton’s hands. “Why do I have the feeling I’m not going to like this, Colton?”
                  Colton nodded. “You’re right, Katherine. You’re probably not going to like what I have to say. In fact, there may be several of you in this room that may not like what I have to say. But just know this…my decision has been made. And it’s final. There’s nothing anyone can do to get me to change my mind, so don’t even try.” His deep, firm tone made everyone sit up straight and take notice.
                  Katherine caressed the back of Colton’s hand. “What’s going on, Colton?”
                  Colton’s brown eyes grew darker, and sad. “I’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
                  Jesus Christ. Cancer? Zeke felt like someone had stabbed him in the heart with a sharp blade. Keeping his emotions intact, he swallowed. He inwardly prayed for his father.
                  Katherine’s jaw dropped, and a loud gasp flew out. “Cancer! You’re dying?!”
                  Colton shook his head. “Calm down, Katherine. Don’t go overreacting on me.”
                  Tears shot to Katherine’s eyes. “Oh my God, Colton. Are the doctors sure? What does this mean?”
                  Colton explained, “It means I’ll be undergoing extensive medical care and will be unable to work for a while. As of tonight, I’m relinquishing my duties, and I have no idea when I’ll be returning to Balfour Enterprises.”
                  Zeke looked across the table at his reddish-blonde-haired brother Antonio. A huge smirk displayed on Antonio’s face. His blue eyes were lit up. It’s going to be hell working for Antonio, Zeke thought, knowing Colton would probably put Antonio in charge. Antonio was the oldest, after all; however, working for Antonio’s arrogant ass would be downright hard. Almost impossible.
                  Colton continued. “That being said, I need someone I can trust to take over Balfour