by Dani René
She may have shut me out, but it won’t be for long.
I’m not losing my speedy.
And I’m not losing my company either.
21
Kayden
I’ve been angry at my mother for a long time.
I spent my life seeing her indiscretions, how she treated my father, and I kept quiet. But this is the last straw. He was a grown man who could’ve spoken up for himself. And now, I’m an adult and I’m going to ensure she doesn’t fuck my life up the same way she did his.
With every mile that takes me closer to the house she still lives in, the more my anger takes a hold of me. The injustice of her actions has me livid. Her judgement of Haelee has only made the usual simmering anger I have toward her boil over, and now I’m ready to let loose on her.
I took her sneers all these years, but they had always been directed at me. I grew a thick skin, and they seemed to wash over me. But the thought of her going after Haelee, saying things that aren’t true.
I did the same thing when I first met her, but it’s not who I am. And I recognize it was a mistake. But with my mother, I know she doesn’t feel an ounce of remorse for what she does. I don’t know what happened to her, what made her so cold, so heartless, but ever since I can remember, she’s been like that.
When I finally pull up to the house, a cold, sinking feeling snakes through me, down my spine, twisting in my gut. I walked out of here so long ago and never wanted to return. Yet, here I am.
Reaching the front door, I don’t knock. I don’t need to because when I twist the handle, it gives and I push into the house that’s only bringing back terrible memories for me. Inside, the chill hasn’t left, and if I had to be honest, it’s worse now than it ever was.
I make my way through to the living room and find my mother on the patio. Her embrace with a man I’ve never met before has me fisting my hands. I have to tamp down my anger before I smash everything in this fucking house.
“Kayden,” she says, her smile void of affection as she takes me in. “What are you doing here?” She steps away from her friend and makes her way toward me, but I step back, not wanting her to touch me after she’s been with some asshole in my father’s house.
“We need to talk,” I grit through clenched teeth. “I suggest your friend leaves.” My gaze flicks to the man who’s tentatively watching our exchange.
“I’m sure whatever you have to—”
“I said,” I sneer, giving her the glacial stare she used to give me. “I want to speak to you. Alone.” The last word is spat with venom when I recall just why I’m here. The thought of Haelee being attacked by my mother with her verbal knives has me shaking.
“Horton, I think it’s best I speak with my son alone,” she addresses the man who seems more shocked at me than he was when I walked in. But I don’t give a shit, this is between my mother and me. I don’t need some stranger listening in on our private conversation.
“Of course, darling,” he says, pressing his lips to her forehead before he heads out toward the door. Once I hear the click of the lock, I turn my attention on my mother who doesn’t at all seem perturbed at my icy demeanor.
“I suppose you’ve spoken to the little harlot, and that’s the reason you’re here? To fight for her honor?” Her challenge is obvious. She was waiting for me to come here. She knew I would want to defend Haelee.
“You have no right to talk to her, you have no right to be near her.”
“She’s only going to bring you down, Kayden. I’m looking out for you. Girls like her—”
“Girls like her?” Spinning on my heel, my fist connects with the mirror my mother must have bought recently because I haven’t seen it before. The glass shattering echoes in the vast room. “What about girls like her?” I question as I face the woman I no longer consider my mother.
“Listen to me—”
“No,” I interrupt her. “You listen to me. I will take over my father’s company. You, on the other hand, will leave.” As I speak, I figure out what I’m doing. I didn’t plan this, but as I stare into her eyes, I realize I know just what she wants.
Money.
It’s been her end goal since the day she met my father. And now I’ll give that to her, she’ll get all that’s coming to her, and when she does, she won’t be back here.
“I don’t want you in my life. You’re done in this city, and I think you should take what’s yours, and find a new place to call home.”
“You can’t do that to me,” she gasps, her eyes wide in shock. “I’m here to make sure you don’t fuck your life up with some girl who will only be with you for your money.”
“Like you did to dad?” I bite back, causing her mouth to gape in horror. “That’s exactly what you did to my father. And you can’t deny it because it’s clear to me now. I may not have noticed it when I was younger, but I’m all grown up, mother, and I know a gold digger when I see one.”
“You cannot speak to me like that, Kayden.”
I stalk toward her as my anger takes over. “I can tell you exactly like it is because I’m not afraid of you. And if you so much as whisper a word to Haelee again, I will come for you and I will take away all that my father left you.”
It’s not much, a couple of million because she knows the company and the house she’s living in are mine. I moved out because I didn’t want to see her out on her ass, but right now, I no longer care. She can look after herself.
“You have a week,” I tell her before turning on my heel and making my way to the door. “And if you’re not out, I’ll throw you out myself.” When I shut the door behind me, it feels as if it has lifted a weight off my shoulders.
Now it’s time to talk to my lawyer.
It’s taken two days for the contracts to be drawn up for the new board members to sign. And it’s taken forty-eight hours for me to go out of my mind because Haelee is still not answering my calls.
But I have a plan in place. Before I fix things with my girl, I need to ensure the board is ready to take on their role with me heading the company. As I step into the offices, I feel eyes on me. Everyone stops what they’re doing as I make my way into the boardroom. A split of six men and six women sit at the long table, with my mother thankfully absent.
She didn’t say goodbye, but when I went back to the house last night, she was gone. Setting the folder on the oak desktop, I don’t sit. I offer a nod before I greet the team.
“Good morning, ladies and gentleman, I’m glad to see you all here.” I allow my gaze to trail to each person before I continue. “This will be the new regime within Mercer Industries, and I trust you’re all on board with me taking up the helm. If not, I will kindly ask you to leave. I’m not sugar coating anything, this will be a straightforward meeting and the way I will run things will be as if my father were still here.”
Each person shifts in their seat when I fall silent. I give it a moment before I nod when nobody leaves. A few of the old members are still here, and they seem focused on me, but half the board my father had in place has stepped down. Those who wanted me to allow them to take over. Thankfully, those who are seated around the table have chosen to be here.
“Now, without further ado, I have brand new contracts set up, with terms I’m sure you’ll find beneficial. If there are questions or concerns, I trust you will contact me. Once you’ve signed, I will make a public announcement of the new board, and we will then meet to talk about any concerns regarding Mercer Industries.”
One man, Philip Gordon, who was here when my dad was lifts his hand and I give him a nod to speak. “What about your time spent at the office? We know you’re still racing. Or is that something you’ve given up?”
“I would like to continue, but that is something I will look at once I’ve spoken to Mr. Donavan. I can assure you, whatever my decision on that topic, I will be here when I’m needed. Mercer Industries is my legacy, and I’m not about to let it slip through my fingers.”
I mean not only for the
company, but my promise is for Haelee as well.
22
Haelee
My chest aches. My heart feels splintered. I’ve never had my heart broken, but the first man I give it to took it and looked after it. It was my choice to walk away because his legacy means more than a relationship that might not work. At least, that’s what I’ve convinced myself of.
Kayden was everything I wanted. Knowing each other for four long weeks, going on a few dates, but nothing could have prepared me for the feeling of agony that sliced through my chest when I saw his face crumple.
I’ve kept my distance. I haven’t answered his calls, because I need him to do what he needs to for his father’s company. Even though deep down I know his mother was trying to hurt me, and I’m nothing like my own mother, Mrs. Mercer hit me where it hurts.
The memory of what his mother said hits me as I stand under the hot spray of the shower.
“You’re going to be nothing to him if you force him to choose between you and the legacy his father left him.”
She was right. He would always regret losing the company because of me, and I couldn’t live with myself if he did. He’s better off without me, running the company his father built from the ground up.
But it doesn’t stop the pain that slices through me. It doesn’t mend my heart at all. Those tiny cracks only seem to get bigger with every passing day. Two days, forty-eight hours, and I can’t remember how many fucking minutes, but there are far too many.
“You’re not good enough for my son. The daughter of a junkie whore. You’ll only end up like her.”
The words cut deep. They slice and stab at my strength, and I slide to the floor as I allow my tears to disappear in the spray of the water that hits me with a vengeance.
She knew about me. She knew everything. About where I’m from. About my birth mother and the past. And she even knew my birth mother was dead. The sneer she graced me with was nothing short of evil.
Thankfully, Mom wasn’t here to see her. But I’ve hidden away in my room and haven’t faced the woman who adopted me and gave me a life I never thought I could have.
And all those doubts that plagued me for years, that I’m not good enough, take hold and refresh themselves in my mind. They remind me that I’m nothing but a charity case. As much as I attempt to fight off those thoughts, I can’t stop them from replaying in my mind in a constant loop.
I’m not sure how long I sit on the tiles, but when the taps shut off suddenly and a towel appears, I glance up through wet lashes to find Mom standing over me.
“You’re getting out of there now, and you’re coming down to talk to me,” she informs me with a tone so hard, so rigid, it causes me to shiver. I’ve seen her angry a few times while growing up, but this is something else. I’m afraid I’m in deep trouble, so I quickly scoot up, and I take the offered towel.
“I-I—”
“Get dried and dressed,” Mom says. “We have to talk.” Without waiting for me, she spins on her heel and leaves me in the bathroom, shivering. I quickly wrap myself in the towel and race into my bedroom to get some clothes on. I have a feeling I’m in for it now.
When I reach the living room, Mom is sitting on the couch. I join her, settling on the soft cushions, crossing my legs, and taking her in. “I’m sorry you saw that.”
“I know what happened,” she admits.
“What?” Snapping my gaze to her, I watch as she lifts her head and observes me for a long moment. “How did you—”
“I got a call from Kayden. He told me you don’t want to speak to him,” she states slowly. “I think you should give him a chance to explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain, Mom,” I insist, trying to stop the whine from escaping my lips. “His mom told me everything. If he’s with anyone outside his social circle, he could lose his father’s company. And that’s something I couldn’t live with.”
“Did he tell you that, Haelee? Did he agree with his mother?” Mom poses two questions I can’t respond to because when I think about it, I realize I pushed him out without so much as giving him a chance to say anything.
“No, Mom,” I finally answer, knowing she’s going to be disappointed in the way I’ve conducted myself. But in my defense, the thought of Kayden losing his dad’s company was scary. I couldn’t let that happen.
“What did she say to you?” Mom asks, her gaze locked on my face, taking in my expression. That’s something she could always do, gauge my emotions by simply looking at me.
“She told me I’m not good enough for her son. That one day, I’d turn out just like my junkie whore mother.” She flinches at the words. One thing about Mom is that I’ve hardly ever heard her cursing, but I want her to know the exact phrase Kayden’s mother used. Even though I have fought all my life not to be like my birth mother, the fear I may end up just like that is something I’ve lived with daily.
“If that’s something you believe, then I’m sad.” Mom’s words have my attention snapping to hers. “You’ve come so far. I understand you’re nervous. Genetics is something we can’t understand, but already, you’re not like her. You have an education you’re going to put to use and a passion that will gift you a career for as long as you want it.”
“I know all that, Mom,” I agree. “I can’t stop the fear from taking hold of me, though. It’s not something that I can just put at the back of my mind and forget.”
She nods. “No, it’s not, but you need to look at the life you have now. You need to believe in the present, not the past. If you spend too much time focusing on what’s behind you, how can you see what’s right in front of you?”
Silence hangs in the air for a long while as I consider her words. I know she’s right. I know it down to my inner core, and I need to do as she says. My mom has always offered the best advice, and she’s definitely more understanding than I thought she’d be.
“Now, are you going to give this poor boy a chance to tell you all he has to say?” she quips, a small smile playing on her lips. “Because I actually feel quite sorry for the way you sent him packing without listening to him.”
“I just didn’t want him to lose his legacy. And I didn’t want him to resent me if that ever happened.”
“I understand, but you have to remember, it’s not your choice. It has to come from him. If he decides to walk away and choose his father’s company over you, then sadly, it has to be Kayden’s decision.”
“Why do you always have to be right?” I ask, a soft smile on my lips.
My mom shakes her head like she’s done countless times before when I’ve done something stupid. “Part of a mother’s role is to always be right. At least, I try to be.”
“I wish I’d given him a chance,” I whisper. “I was so hurt by his mother’s words. And I believed that he’d resent me for making him lose the company.”
“You can’t make anyone do anything,” Mom says. “You do, however, need to talk to him. Allow him to explain because pushing him away just because of something his mother said, it’s unfair.”
“You really like him,” I remark, looking at my mother with a smile.
She nods. “I do. He’s a good person. And he seems to care for you a lot.” Mom takes my hand, holding it in both of hers before saying, “Will you talk to him?”
“Yeah, I have to. I need to, and hopefully, he’ll take my call.”
23
Kayden
“I have it on good authority he’ll take your call,” I chime in as I step into the living room. Haelee’s eyes snap up to mine. They widen, and a small smile spreads on her face. Then she glances at her mother. When I came to Caroline and asked for permission to speak to Haelee, I had to explain what happened, how my mother had come across the information, and told her how much I care about her daughter.
“What are you doing here?” Haelee questions, her gaze flicking between her mom and me.
“This young man came to me and asked me to help. He knew you were angry, and sad, and you
r emotions were all over the place,” Caroline explains. “I wanted him to know that even though I was hurt by his mother coming here when I wasn’t home and verbally attacking you, I could see it wasn’t his doing. And he needed to talk to you.”
“And I have to explain what happened after you sent me away,” I add as I step deeper into the room before settling on the couch. My girl looks gorgeous in her mussed-up state. She always looks beautiful, but right now, just freshly showered with her hair pinned messily on top of her head, I can’t help but see the natural beauty who’s most definitely stolen my heart.
Caroline pushes to her feet. “I’ll leave you to it.” I watch her leave, and once I’m alone with Haelee, I want so badly to go to her, but I know I need to talk first. Because if I were near her right now, I’d kiss her until she couldn’t think straight.
“My mother is a nightmare, and I didn’t want you to meet her—ever. But she took it upon herself to make herself heard.”
“I was hurt by her words. When I thought about it, when I really sat down and went over everything she said, I knew I couldn’t let you lose the company.”
“My mother will never speak to you again. Ever. I made sure of that. Walking away from my dad’s company doesn’t hurt me as much as losing you,” I state earnestly. “You’ve done something to me, Haelee Pearson. You’ve stolen my heart and mind.”
Her lips curl into a small, shy smile. “Are you trying to tell me you like me or something?” she quips.
I can’t be away from her for another second. Falling to my knees, I grab her hands and pull them to my lips, pressing soft kisses on her knuckles. My eyes lock on hers.