“Jeannie, whatever you want to say, just say it. I trust you. I hope you trust me.”
Her eyes widen even more. “Oh, I do. It’s just… I don’t know whether to say congratulations or condolences. I know you and your grandfather are close and I don’t know if this means he has health issues or if he’s died or if he just decided to step back and let you take the reins.”
Shit. How the hell did I not realize the board would need a solid reason to replace my grandfather? This is the one reason they will all agree on. “And this is why you’re about to get a raise. He’s still breathing but he’s no longer mentally competent.”
After a quick modification, which makes her give me a sad little smile, I watch her send out each of the six letters individually.
Then I retreat to my office and wait for the calls to pour in. I’m sure they will. I’m also fairly certain my grandfather has already been on the phone with most of the board members this morning so I’m expecting to get pushback. A lot of pushback.
The board members mainly know me as the bastard interloper, the man who pushed out his own father to get control of the company.
I’m hoping that, even if they don’t like me, they realize how much I’ve done to move this company forward. How much shit I’ve shoveled, how many sacrifices I’ve made, how many lines I’ve crossed.
And the one thing they don’t know that’s been the worst.
Forcing Olivia into a relationship then being forced to give her up.
I know she thought I was angry with her last night. I wasn’t. Not with her. I was furious at myself for falling for my grandfather’s bullshit. For his involvement in my grandmother’s death.
And for the fact that, if I want to take this company away from my grandfather, I need laser focus. She’s a distraction I can’t afford.
Not to mention the fact that, if the board finds out I’m dating a thief, I’ll be out on my ass.
And would that be a bad thing?
The subversive voice in my head makes me grit my teeth in anger but I stomp it down. I can’t deal with it today. I have too much else on my plate.
No, I did the right thing last night. I can’t have my attention split right now and Olivia is the biggest distraction I’ve ever met. She’s a thief and I’m staging a hostile coup of a multinational, multibillion-dollar organization…whose former CEO could decide to air our dirty laundry in the press and bring the whole damn company down.
I wouldn’t put it past him. I’m banking on the fact that the board won’t let it happen, won’t let him ruin their profit margin.
I’ll do everything I can to head it off, but it’s not going to be pretty and it’s not going to be easy. And I don’t have the possibility of seeing Olivia at the end of the day as incentive to get through.
She probably hates me, would probably like to take her little pocketknife to my throat and tell me to go fuck myself.
Damn it. Why the fuck does that make me horny?
Because you wanted more than a quick fuck.
No, I didn’t. At least it didn’t start out that way. And it’s probably better if she stays away from me. Better for both of us.
Which just makes me even more pissed off than I already am.
Is she happy to be rid of me?
Christ. What the fuck is wrong with me? I need to stop thinking with the little head in my goddamn pants and use my brain to hold on to what I’m trying to take.
And will it be worth it?
It has to be because it’s all I’ve got.
When the first call comes through, I’m ready for a fight.
*****
The knock on the door doesn’t sound like Jeannie’s but I say, “Come in,” before I think about it.
“What’s up, Jeannie?” I glance up and shock makes my eyes widen. “What the hell do you want?”
My father strolls through the door, smile on his face, as if he holds the secrets to the universe.
“I understand congratulations are in order. I came to offer mine.”
I have never trusted my father and now doesn’t seem like the time to start.
“You didn’t answer my question. What do you want?”
He holds up his hands, as if to show me he has nothing to hide. I don’t expect him to be holding a dagger but I do expect he has a figurative one somewhere in hiding.
“That’s actually the only reason I’m here, though I know you won’t believe me. Your coup was bloodless and completely unexpected. I applaud you. I’m sure your grandfather is spitting bullets at the moment.”
My jaw clenches against the urge to tell him to go to hell. I should ignore him. I’ve been on the phone for most of the morning, fielding questions and concerns from the board members.
I’d expected a lot more pushback and a lot more sniping and backstabbing.
What I got was a lot of questions and unexpected support from almost everyone. The two holdouts want a face-to-face meeting tonight over dinner.
That’s the kind of shit my father usually handles. And I have to give him credit. He handles it well. He’s good at it. I could probably learn a thing or two from him. Which means I need him to do something for me.
“I’m meeting Gable and Carson tonight for dinner. I want you there.”
The shock on Mark’s face coaxes a quick smile out of me before I rein it in.
He’s not as fast but he does manage to school his expression into something resembling cool interest.
“I’m happy to help in any way you need. What time and where?”
My turn to be shocked. I expected him to give me a hassle or, at the very least, be a prick about it. So, of course, I figure he’s playing an angle, which means I need to keep my guard up tonight.
After I give him the details, he nods. “I think you should invite Giselle as well. Having her there will be a show of strength. With the three of us, your grandfather can’t claim we’re not united, and Gable and Carson won’t be as likely to think they can find a chink in the armor.”
My shock continues to grow. So does my suspicion. My father does nothing out of the kindness of his heart. Obviously, he wants something. The idea of inviting Giselle is a good idea, which I plan to follow through on. Otherwise…
“What do you want in return?”
Mark’s grin is a little rueful. “You’ll never cut me any slack, will you?” He didn’t give me a chance to answer. “Not that I expect it or deserve it. I wasn’t there for you, not when you were born, not growing up. However, I should point out that if I hadn’t dumped you on your grandfather, you wouldn’t be in this position.”
My eyebrows rise. “So I should thank you for being an absolute asshole?”
He shrugs. “Of course not. I just want you to know that you come by it honestly.”
That dig hits too close to home and I clench my jaw against the urge to tell him to go to hell. And confirm his statement.
“So why should I trust you to help me tonight?”
I conveniently forget that he didn’t offer to go with me tonight. I told him he was going.
“You’re good at dealing with the business, Aiden, but you’re not a people person. You don’t do interpersonal well. The only person you get along with is your sister. You’re a bulldozer and that’s not what you need to handle this situation.”
Because he’s actually making sense, I don’t interrupt.
“You need me to smooth the way. Gable and Carson have been with your grandfather the longest. They still look at you and see an outsider. You need your sister to soften your edges. You make those bastards enough money that they can overlook the fact that you’re not one of them. But don’t make the mistake of thinking they’ll ever accept you as an equal. To them, you’re a necessary evil. Let me and your sister handle them. You just sit and glare at them. They’ll fall into line.”
He makes it sound like the easiest thing in the world. Just give him the power to represent me and everything will be fine. We’ll be one big happy famil
y and every slight of the past will be forgiven.
Huge load of bullshit. But he does have a good point about the board members. With him to smooth the way, I’ll have less resistance.
Or I could tell my father to fuck off and force the board members’ hands at dinner. I’ll lay out the new world order and tell them to get on board or get the hell out of my way because this transition is happening with or without them. And if they don’t like it, well, tough shit.
“Why the hell should I believe a word that comes out of your mouth?”
I’m watching him carefully and he doesn’t flinch or falter, just continues like he’s had this speech prepared for days and not hours.
“Because I have absolutely nothing to gain.” He shrugs, like it’s no big deal. “My father handed you his company on a silver platter then gave you the ability to cut him off at the knees and shove him out the door. I have no doubt that you hold all the cards here. I’m simply willing to do what I can to make the transition easier because at the end of the day, what’s good for the company is good for me.”
There it was. His end game. Money. That’s what it all boils down to with Mark.
And I understand. Because that’s all that matters, right? The bottom line.
I still hesitate. Do I really hate Mark so much that I’m willing to put the future of the company on the line just to spite him?
And if I let him speak for me tonight, does that show weakness? Do I really need him and Giselle to smooth the way?
I want to tell him to fuck off, to take his offer and shove it.
“Make the arrangements.”
Mark can’t hide his shock completely but he covers it quickly.
Nodding, he rises from the chair and heads for the door. “I’ll get right on that. I’ll tell Giselle to meet us at Haven at seven. I’ll have Gable and Carson join us at eight.”
I watch him until he disappears through the door, my mind racing.
Everything in my world has turned upside down and I’m no longer sure which way is up.
My life has never been normal. And what the hell is normal, anyway?
Why can’t I make my own normal?
Because you fucked up the one thing that might have been yours.
It wouldn’t have worked anyway.
If I keep telling myself that, maybe I’ll eventually believe it.
Chapter Eight
Olivia
“I have a job I think you may want.”
I’m sitting next to Maylyn on the couch in my dad’s house, watching Buffy on well-worn DVDs. They’d been mine before I passed them on to my sister and I can recite most of seasons one and two. We’re on season four and I’ve been watching half-heartedly.
I’ve been in a funk for the past five days and I know my family’s been worried. But I haven’t been able to climb out of it. And I’m ignoring all the reasons why.
When my phone rang, I’d grabbed it so Maylyn didn’t try to take it and turn it off so it wouldn’t interrupt the show.
Now, I frown because I hadn’t been expecting to hear from the private detective who occasionally books my services for his clients. He’s based in Washington DC but has an office in Philadelphia. My dad had hooked me up with Pete a few years ago and I’d done several jobs for him. Very profitable jobs.
“Oh yeah? Why is that?”
Sliding off the couch, I motion to my sister, letting her know I’m going into the next room. She barely notices I’m going.
“Because it’s in the city and it’s pretty straightforward. Office building, standard security, get the file, get out.”
He’s right. It’s exactly the type of job I excel at. “When?”
“Well, that’s the kicker. Client needs it to happen tomorrow night.”
Of course.
Sighing, I shake my head, though I know he can’t see me. I’m really not in the mood to pull another job but I also don’t want to turn down work. You never know when the next one will come along.
“Okay, Pete. Send me the information.”
“I knew I could count on you, kid. Sending the file now. Talk to you day after tomorrow to arrange pickup.”
Hanging up to the chime of a new email, I pull up the file. I don’t recognize the address but I know it’s downtown. He’s also sent the security protocols and building specs. Everything I need to pull this on short notice.
“New job?”
I turn to find Maylyn leaning against the open doorway between the living room and the dining room where I’d retreated to talk to Pete.
Smiling, I nod and try to make it real. “Gotta pay the bills. Pete says it’s an easy one.”
“Are they ever easy?”
Her question is deadly serious and so is her expression and I realize I’m about to be cross-examined. Maylyn’s been quiet all night. She must’ve been biding her time.
“Not really, no.”
“Dad’s not home. Are you going to tell me what happened? I’m worried about you, Liv. Something’s going on with you.”
“It’s nothing—”
“Don’t.” She shakes her head. “Don’t lie to me. If you don’t want to talk, just tell me. But Liv… Are you okay?”
Maylyn’s question isn’t unexpected but her tone is so worried, I feel tears well. And that sucks. I’ve been holding it together since the night Aiden showed his true colors. Mostly. I guess. Then again, maybe I haven’t been hiding it enough.
“I’m fine.” I hold up my hand when she opens her mouth to contradict me. “I am. I’m just…angry at myself. I made a tactical error and I trusted someone I shouldn’t have. It happens. I’m moving on.”
Maylyn’s eyebrows rise. “Uh-huh. From this angle, it doesn’t look there’s much moving on going on.”
I have the almost uncontrollable urge to stick my tongue out at her. I rein it in and shrug instead. “I don’t know what else to tell you.”
“Why don’t you start by telling me who the guy is?”
“No one you know.”
“Which is curious because I don’t remember you saying you had a date, like, in the last year.”
“That’s bullshit, by the way. I’ve been on dates in the past year.”
“None that’ve led to a second date.” Maylyn sighs. “What happened on this last job? That’s what this is about, isn’t it?”
Of course it is and I know I shouldn’t open my mouth. I don’t want to burden my sister with this crap or tell her how much of an idiot I was. Especially since it’s in the past now and I’m over it.
And that’s such a load of crap. I’m not over it. I’m still so pissed off at Aiden, I can’t even think about him without gritting my teeth. And getting teary-eyed. Which just makes me even more pissed off.
“Liv?”
I meet Maylyn’s concerned gaze and force a smile. “I was so stupid.”
“You’re one of the smartest people I know. If this guy doesn’t see that then he’s an asshole and he’s not worthy of you. I sincerely hope you told him to go fuck himself.”
I start to laugh because it’s all I can do. I’m tired of feeling weepy over Aiden. Tired of missing a man who dropped me without a second glance.
The whole damn thing had been doomed from the start, like some Nicholas Sparks book where someone always dies.
“I wish I had.”
Maylyn shrugs, her expression flippant but fierce. “Then you should. Just stand in front of him and tell him to take a flying leap. I’ll even go with you.”
“Yeah, I think this is something I should do on my own. But I appreciate your moral support.”
“Family first. Always.”
The words are our dad’s but we all live by them. Those words bind us together.
“Always.” I pause, looking for words that won’t seem like I’m trying to excuse his behavior, even though Maylyn has no idea what Aiden and I had agreed to. “Aiden doesn’t understand. He doesn’t have a true family, not like ours. He doesn’t have anyone to protect hi
s back.”
“Sounds like you’re making excuses for him.”
Grimacing, I shake my head. “No, I’m not. It’s just… I don’t know. I guess I thought maybe there was a connection there that wasn’t.”
“So if he called you tomorrow, you wouldn’t give him the time of day?”
Would I?
My silence is all the answer my sister needs.
“Whoa. Okay, maybe you do need an intervention. Or a vacation. Very, very far away. Or you need to tell this dude he’s an idiot and to get his head out of his ass.”
“I love you, Lynnie, but you know what I do for a living. He runs a legitimate company. And I’m not all that legitimate.”
She shrugged like it was no big deal. “No one’s perfect.”
The simplicity of her statement makes me shake my head again. “It’s never that easy.”
She rolls her eyes. “Well, duh. Nothing’s ever easy. But sometimes you just gotta say ‘fuck it’ and go after what you want.”
“And if what you want doesn’t want you back?”
Maylyn’s lip curled into a sneer and the look on my baby sister’s face could scare off a grown man. “Then he’s a dick and we’ll send Bryant and Reese to kick his ass.”
“Don’t you think I can fight my own battles?”
“Of course you can. So why aren’t you?”
*****
The next night, I’m still considering Maylyn’s last question as I approach the building for the job I took from Pete.
I waver back and forth between telling myself to move on and wondering what Aiden’s doing then telling myself to move on again because I’m pretty sure he’s not even thinking about me.
I can only imagine what he did with the information he discovered about his grandfather’s role in his grandmother’s death. I doubt he’ll ever go public with any of it so I don’t figure I’ll ever really know.
But I was curious enough to check the business news networks the next day to see if any of them mentioned Aiden. Of course, none of them did.
I know enough about Aiden to know he likes working behind the scenes.
Hoodie up as I stroll by the building I need to crack, I note the security guards exactly where they should be at this time of night. Watching the closed-circuit security feed at the desk in the lobby, which I can clearly see as I pass by.
Consummated (Aiden & Olivia Book 4) Page 5