Second Chance at Forever

by Mary Wasowski

“Yes on all counts. Walker, I’m not following.”

  “Let me bring you up to speed, Donovan.” I opened the file and showed Donovan the contents of it. His eyes widened when he found the picture of him, Dr. Briggs, three men from the board of directors, and a beautiful woman in the background. My Reese.

  “Well?” I asked him.

  “Well, what?”

  “Donovan, are you really going to play this game with me? You will lose, and lose a great deal if you don’t tell me the truth, and right fucking now! Do you see the woman in this picture?” I point to her. “Did you or did you not know that this same woman was Reese Mitchell? The same Reese Mitchell who I was madly in love with? The same woman who I planned to marry until she disappeared out of my fucking apartment? The very same woman who hasn’t been in my life for the better part of eighteen years?”

  “Not at first, but then once I heard her speak and talk to her more I did place her as one and the same.”

  I slammed the folder down and grabbed Donovan by the throat. Not knowing what I would do next, Stephen rose out of his seat and looked over to me. I ignored him and proceeded with Donovan.

  “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

  “Would it have mattered? She brought you nothing but hurt and misery, Walker. I was there for you when she left, and then by your side when Elizabeth died. I hadn’t seen Reese since New Year’s 1997. I had no idea who she was at the time, and when I finally did remember, I kept it to myself. She clearly didn’t remember me, and if she did, she never said anything.”

  He continued, “All the times I was there in Maryland, this was the only time our paths crossed. This picture was taken the day the papers were signed to finalize the project. It was after you met with the board the first time. Walker, you never returned to Maryland after that, and I felt it was best not to say anything to you. I never saw her again after that day.”

  Trying to get myself in check, I let go of Donovan and watched him slump down in to his chair. “It would have mattered to me, Donovan. Everything matters, and she was my life.”

  “I’m sorry, Walker. I thought I was protecting you. I’ve been your friend since college, and I have always had your back in business and your personal life. I just didn’t want you to get hurt again.”

  “It wasn’t your call to make, Donovan. I lost more precious time when we could have been together, but it’s all changed now.”

  “What’s changed?”

  “I have her back, and we will be marrying very soon in the near future. When you lift your jaw from off the floor, you can say something.”

  “Wow, Walker. I’m stunned to say the least. How did this happen?”

  “Donovan, you know I’m not one to share intimate details of my personal life to anyone, not even you, but I will give you the short version. Our children met during the dedication celebrating the new building. They formed a friendship, and now are seeing one another, never knowing that their parents also shared a connection many years ago. While I was in New York for Jackson’s college trip, I had the opportunity to meet his girlfriend, and to say I was shocked was an understatement. Riley, hands down, resembles her mother. I sucked in a breath with the sight of this young beauty standing before me. I nearly died when Reese walked in. I was out of my mind. All the feelings I had for Reese came flooding back like a tsunami. I knew this was fate giving us a second chance.”

  “What about her husband? She’s married, Walker.”

  “That’s the perfect part, Donovan. Before she left for New York, she asked her husband for a divorce. Now if you want to challenge fate after that, then I’m going to fire your ass.”

  “I never took you for believing in the universe and all that sentimental shit, but I’m happy for you. I truly hope it works out this time for the both of you.”

  “I have no doubt in my mind about ending up with Reese Mitchell. She will be mine very soon, as I always planned on her to be. Donovan, everything I do in my life matters, personally and professionally. You may have thought you were protecting me, but don’t ever take my choice away from me again. I’ve been down that road, and I won’t travel it again, especially with you and the history we share. I will sever our ties and have your office cleaned out so fast, your head will fucking spin off. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Crystal.”

  “Good. Now let’s get down to business. We need to discuss the Reinhart Project, but that will have to wait. These matters of importance take precedence over everything right now. Here in these files contain the last three projects my father had a hand in. I want you to gather as much intel as you possibly can on each deal and report back to me. Also here is a file on Townsend Development. Henry assisted my father with getting out of some unfortunate situations.”

  I flipped through the file with Donovan and said, “In these papers, you will find that three migrant workers died on the project Phillip handled in Argentina. I want everything on their families. No amount of money will bring back their loved ones, but I at least want to give them some sort of settlement. Knowing where the money came from will do no good for any of us, so this is to remain on the highest level of discretion. Again, Donovan, am I making myself clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Now onto Jake Ralston. He is due here in an hour and is in for the shock of his life. I’ve acquired his company, Ralston Security Firm. That smug son of a bitch is not going to see this coming.”

  “A hostile take-over? When did this happen? How did I not know about this?” Donovan looked over to Stephen.

  “I’m informing you now, and I want you to peruse the file and know it front and back within the next thirty minutes. Come back with your balls out, because I’m about to hand Ralston his in the same manner he treated Reese. That fucker is responsible for hurting the woman I love, and even with as many years that have gone by, no sin is ever forgotten.”

  “Today is Ralston’s day of reckoning. Ralston made a choice in helping my father, and he chose wrong. You don’t hurt the woman I loved all my adult life and not expect to feel my wrath.”

  I dismissed Stephen to make a private call to my woman. I was in complete search and destroy mode, but Reese kept invading my every thought. I dialed her cell, and she picked up immediately.

  “Hi, baby,” I am pleased to no end to have her on the phone.

  “Hello, Walker.” Could she be any sexier? Her southern accent simply rolled off her tongue like silk. I was already hard with only the two words she had spoken.

  “I’m just about to board my flight. Oh, Walker, I had the most amazing time with Freddy. He forgives me, and we spent hours together catching up. I miss you baby, more than you know. Once I get settled back in Maryland, I will call you. Do I expect security to be there when I arrive home?”

  Oh, she knows me so well and is laughing at me. I’m afraid Reese still viewed the outside world with rose-colored glasses, and did not realize that there were dangers that could harm her. I replied, “Yes to the security. A car will be waiting for you to drive you home. While we are apart, Reese, this is the only way I know to keep you safe. I don’t know how Samuel will react from day to day, and I’m not willing to take any chances. Please don’t fight me on this, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Good girl. I can’t wait to see you on Friday and bury myself deep inside you.”

  “Enjoy your fantasy, Walker, but how do you intend to do that with my grandparents and our kids around?”

  “Oh, I have my ways, Reese. Don’t you worry about that. I love you so much. I have to go, baby, call me when you land.”

  “I will. And Walker…”

  “Yes, baby?”

  “I love you…Forever.”

  “Forever, Reese. I will take nothing less.” We stayed on the line to listen to the other breathe, until she giggled, leaving me with the sweet sounds of her beautiful voice. I called Stephen back in to my office.

  “Stephen, is everything set-up in the gym?”

  “It is,
sir, but do you think this is the best strategy when it comes to Ralston?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I have his company no matter what, and now I want his ass beat down by my own hands. Knowing the smug bastard he is; he won’t back down, and probably will believe that he actually has a chance against me.”

  Stephen said to me, “Well, we’re about to find out because security has just alerted me that he is in the building.”

  “Perfect.”

  Donovan returned and took his seat next to Stephen, while Jenny announced Ralston’s arrival over my intercom.

  “Thank you, Jenny, and please hold all my calls.”

  Ralston walked in making eye contact with Stephen and Donovan before approaching me at my desk.

  “Walker, for what do I owe the pleasure of being summoned here today? It’s been a long time.”

  “It has, Ralston, if you don’t count my father’s funeral.”

  “I figured not to bring up any sad memories for you.”

  “No need to care about my feelings now, Ralston. It’s not like you had my back all those years ago when it would have mattered.”

  “Come again?”

  “Reese Mitchell, does that name ring a bell?” I had his attention, and his expression went from smug to apprehensive. “Well? Do you remember Ms. Mitchell?”

  “Yes, I do,” he answered curtly.

  “Good. This saves me the trouble of making you remember the girl that you agreed to help my father destroy.”

  “Now, Walker...”

  “Shut-up!” I walked around from behind my desk and shoved him down into the chair. Clearly he wasn’t expecting me to strike at him. “Did you honestly think that what you did to Reese was simply going to be forgotten? And never avenged for? This is not how the game works, Ralston. You of all people should know that. I would think working for my father would have taught you a lesson or two, but it makes perfect sense to me that the old man didn’t keep you around for your intelligence. If you were a smart man, then you would have known that as of nine o’clock this morning, your company now belongs to me.”

  “What the fuck are you playing at, Reed? You just can’t take my company right out from under me.”

  “Yes I can, and I most certainly did. Losing a company is nothing compared to what you’ve taken from me and Reese. Your brutal actions caused the woman I love to lose our child…my child, you son of a bitch! Reese never stood a chance against my father and you. Your company is nothing to me, but my baby was everything. Correction: would have been everything. Children can never be replaced, and this is why you’re here today. I wanted to look into the eyes of the bastard who killed my child.”

  “Walker, you have to believe me, I never meant to hurt Ms. Mitchell. I was only trying to prevent her from seeing you. I was under instructions by your father to stop her. I had no idea that she was pregnant.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? You’re a liar, fucker. You stalked and tracked her every move for three months, and when she was so close to finally reaching me, you put your hands on her again! The stress alone contributed to Reese losing our baby.”

  “My father paid you, and paid you well, to be his enforcer. It was your job to intimidate his enemies. Yes, Ralston, he saw my woman as his enemy, someone that needed to be taken care of. Isn’t that where your skills always came in handy? It was your brother who put Reese on the plane that day when she was forced to flee New York. Yes, I know about him too. I know everything, and today is Judgment Day for you. I don’t care about your company. I will sell it off, piece by piece. I will simply forget about it, like you did when it came to my woman. After today, I will forget about you, but not before I get something else from you.”

  “What? I have nothing else,” he shouted back at me.

  “Wrong again, Ralston. I’m feeling generous today. You want your company so bad, I’ll make you a deal. I want my pound of flesh, and it is long overdue. If you manage to take me down, and keep me down, then you may have your company back.”

  “You can’t be serious. You have never been able to get past me, Reed. You may have taken my business, but there is no way you can win a fight against me.”

  “Try me.”

  He got up and walked over to Stephen.

  “Come on, man, tell your boy over here that he’s crazy to think he can actually fight and beat me down.”

  “On the contrary, Ralston, I believe Mr. Reed has the ability to break your spineless back if he so desired. If you’re so confident that he will lose, then off to the gym we go.” Stephen was almost laughing at him and waited for Ralston to take the bait.

  “Fine, Reed. I’ll fight you for my company.” Ralston said, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  Stephen led Ralston out of my office and down to my private gym. I changed and was ready to go in no time. I dismissed everyone upstairs on my executive floor except for Jenny, who was now doting on me like a small child.

  “Sir, please don’t do this. That overgrown ape is not worth it. What if you get hurt? What will I tell your son?”

  “Jenny, I’ll be fine, and I will be right back.”

  “Foolish man,” I heard her say as I stepped onto the elevator.

  I was far from foolish, and this was one lesson I would enjoy giving. My father laid it all out for me in his papers. It was as if he were willing me from the grave to seek my vengeance on the ones that had hurt me and Reese. Phillip Reed may have led the pack, but he got off easy by dying. I told myself as I entered the ring: I am not my father, but what kind of man would I be if I just let this go? Ralston deserved this beating, and I would be happy to give it to him in the name of my lost child.

  The smug bastard was actually smiling and bouncing around the ring like he’s Rocky or something. I’d been trained very well by professional fighter Tyler McVee, a detail I forgot to mention to Ralston.

  Stephen gave us the signal, and Ralston charged right for me with his fists up in the air. I saw it coming, immediately ducked, and did a leg sweep which toppled him over. Ralston bounced back up and went to swing, but I was too fast and ducked again. I hit him directly in his ribs, and when he was caught off balance, I threw an uppercut to his chin. Every punch I landed on Ralston was igniting my thirst for revenge to return all the pain he caused us. Ralston gathered his wits and landed a right hook above my eye, causing it to split open. I had blood slowly trickling down the side of my cheek.

  “That will be your one and only hit,” I said as he tried to hit me again. I dodged and delivered a roundhouse kick to the side of his head, and then I repeated the same move with my left leg. He went down on the mat, and my last punch was to his jaw, where I heard the shattering of bones. Stephen was now pulling me off of him as I kept swinging.

  “Mr. Reed! Walker! He’s out cold, that’s enough!”

  Stephen’s men now came into the ring and picked up Ralston’s broken body off the floor. He slowly came to, and I walked over to him where he was being held up by two men. “Now listen to me very carefully,” I said to him, “If you ever come near me or anyone I care about, then the next time we meet I. Will. Kill. You. Now get the fuck out of my building!”

  When I returned to my office, Donovan was waiting for me with a nervous Jenny. She gasped when she took notice of my swollen eyebrow. I waved my hand up at her, showing her that I was fine and to leave Donovan and me to discuss our business.

  “Was that Jake Ralston that I saw get carried out of the building?” Donovan nervously asked.

  “It was. Have you looked over the files?”

  “Yes, I have.”

  “Good. Dump the company, and sell it off.”

  Donovan was shocked. “You never meant to hold on to it?”

  “No. It was only a quick means to an end. Are you clear on the other matter?”

  “Yes, it all seems in order. I leave in the morning for Buenos Aires.”

  “Perfect. I’ve already briefed Tom, and he will accompany you to Argentina. I e
xpect a report on my desk and a resolution to this matter within the next week. I will be out of town as of Friday. All status reports will go through Jenny, and she will forward them to me. Are we clear?”

  “Yes sir.”

  After dismissing Donovan, I slowly got myself back in check. I showered and changed back into my suit, already forgetting the morning events.

  “He’s a good man, sir, and has been nothing but a loyal employee and friend.” Stephen said to me.

  “This I know, Stephen, but thank you for the reminder. Although in some small way I understand Donovan’s reasons for keeping quiet about Reese, another part of me is just so incredibly angry with him. He’s been like a brother to me, and that bond should have easily guided him to do the right thing.” Stephen began to say something more, but I raised my hand up to silence him. “This discussion is over.”

  I needed this time to focus on other matters, and sending Donovan away would help me calm my heated emotions toward him. I knew that once I saw Reese on Friday, most of my pent up rage would be sated. I was 24/7 hard for her. All I wanted was to be buried inside of her for days and shut the rest of the world out.

  “Stephen, please send Jenny in.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Jenny walked in with her iPad and took a seat. She looked at me with her concerned baby blues, but I assured her that I was fine.

  “How was your trip sir?” Her question alone made me smile.

  “I took your advice and got myself a life, or should I say…I got my life back while I was in New York.” I told Jenny about Reese and how we reunited. I left out the parts that she didn’t need to hear, but after my explanation, Jenny was very happy for me and her eyes were filled with tears.

  “I’m so happy for you, Mr. Reed. I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “You will soon, Jenny, once she arrives in California. I plan on marrying Ms. Mitchell as soon as possible.”

  I finished up with Jenny and completed all the pressing matters on my desk. Beginning Friday, my main focus would be Reese. My heart was feeling lost every second she was not with me. I headed back home.

  “Jackson, are you home?” I called out for my son. I was greeted by Priscilla, my housekeeper, who took my things and told me that Jackson was in the media room with some friends from school. I entered the darkened room and found Jackson and two of his friends, Brandon and Clay, editing their project for film class.