by Liv Morris
Everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve personally achieved, has been stripped from me with one stroke of a pen. I’m out and Thorpe wins. The only bright spot is that Kings Capital remains intact. Thousands of employees could’ve paid the price for my stupidity. Instead, I sacrificed myself. It was the penalty for being a fool.
I exit the elevators and lean one hand against the marbled wall of the lobby. Taking deep breaths, I try to remember which way to turn for the exit. I bring a hand to my heart—it’s racing as if I’ve just run a marathon. I hear the clicking of shoes on the marble floor nearing me. I glance up to see one of the guards from earlier. He grabs my arm, and I pull it from his grasp.
“Sir, I’m here to escort you off the premises.” In the time it took the elevator to reach the ground floor, Thorpe called security. Asshole. But did I expect anything less?
“No, I’m perfectly capable of walking out on my own.” I snap back out of his reach. My reprimand echoes around the cavernous lobby. I want to keep my dignity. There’s no way I’m letting some doofus guard strong-arm me to the pavement like trash.
Looking over the guard’s shoulder, I see the exit. Beyond the revolving doors, Eddie waits. But my chest tightens and I can’t seem to take a deep breath. I can do this. I push off the wall, brush past the guard, and concentrate on getting the hell out of here. I’m sure I’ll feel better once I’m out of the devil’s den.
Upon exiting, I tip my face to the sky, close my eyes, and try to take a deep breath. Why can’t I take a deep breath? It begins to drizzle and within seconds, a steady rainfall covers the dirty streets of New York, clearing away the muck and grime. I stand there, getting soaked, but the rain doesn’t have the same cleansing effect on me.
Lowering my head, I look toward the street. Eddie approaches me with an umbrella. His face is filled with worry. I step forward to meet him halfway, but stop dead in my tracks as I hear the haunting voice of Simon.
“Look at you now. The great and mighty Adam Kingsley left with nothing, just like me.”
I spin around with a fist raised to face… what? Nothing but thin air? Of course, Simon isn’t there. My mind is playing tricks on me, and I drop my fist. The quick turn on my heels, combined with the rain and my wobbly legs, makes me slide and tumble to the concrete. I have no time to break my fall, and I see my phone fly out of my hand the instant before my face hits the ground.
I will myself to not blackout, but my head feels as if it’s split open from the fall.
“Now it's your turn,” Simon seems to whisper in my ear. “You’re lying on the dirty sidewalk, just like me. Let me hold your hand to hell.”
What the fuck is going on? I shake my head in hopes of waking up from this nightmare. But pain begins to press against my ribs as I clutch my chest. I’ve never felt my heart pound so hard or so fast.
“Mr. Kingsley?” Eddie calls my name and kneels down on the sidewalk beside me. “Are you okay, sir?”
I can’t catch my breath and a cold sweat runs over my body from head to toe. “I don’t know what’s going on.” I pant between breaths.
“We need to get you to the hospital.” Eddie holds my wrist and feels for my pulse. He stills his fingers when he locates my heartbeat. I glance up in my daze and see a grimace on his face. “You’re as white as a ghost, your heart is racing, and you’re short of breath.”
I try to get to my knees, but they give out and buckle under me. Eddie grabs my phone, pockets it, and then helps me to my feet. He holds me up as I lean into him and slowly we make it back to the SUV.
Eddie helps me get in the car and closes the door. I recline the seat and wipe the sweat from my face. I’m cold and clammy, so perspiring doesn’t make sense.
“Sir, I’m taking you to the same hospital you went to after the shooting,” Eddie announces. I don’t argue with him, because I think I may be having a heart attack.
“I need my phone.” I say in an unsteady voice. “Gotta call Tom and Patrick.”
Eddie glances at me before he pulls away from the curb. “What happened to you, sir? And where is Peters?”
How do I even begin to explain my complete fuck-up to Eddie?
“Peters has been lying to me for years.” Eddie gives me a you’re shitting me look. “He’s always worked for Thorpe. A corporate spy.”
“I can’t believe it!” Eddie exclaims.
“Me, neither.” I hold out my hand, and Eddie reaches into his pocket for my phone.
I call Tom’s number first. “Hey, Adam. Why are you calling me on my cell?” We usually don’t talk via cell during business hours.
“Tom, are you watching the business news?” My voice sounds weak and breathy.
“Adam, what’s the matter? Are you working out?” Tom asks.
“No. Are you watching the news?” I repeat my question.
“Yes. Tell me what’s going on?”
I’m shocked that Tom hasn’t heard about my resignation yet. “I had a meeting that didn’t go well. I’ll call you back in a minute.” I can’t tell him I’ve resigned from Kings because I still can’t believe it. I’ve spent years building my company. Years of blood, sweat, and tears. Everything I am is tied up in Kings, and now it’s gone. I feel like a ship lost at sea, but I had no choice. The choice was between me and thousands of our employees as well as our clients.
The sweat pours off of me as my chest aches. I double over in my seat, unable to finish the call, and the phone drops from my hand. I hear Tom yelling in the background.
Eddie takes the phone from my hand and brings it to his ear. “Mr. Duffy.” I watch Eddie nod as he listens to Tom. Even muffled against Eddie’s ear, I can make out Tom’s panicked voice.
The sounds around me fade away, and the daylight dims. I watch the buildings blur as we fly by them.
~
Once again I find myself in the same Manhattan emergency room being tended to by Dr. Payne. My heart has slowed down to a normal pace, and the overwhelming anxiety I felt has subsided thanks to a healthy dose of Xanax.
When Eddie practically carried me into the ER, I was taken back to an examination room before I had time to blink. Patients presenting with chest pains and shortness of breath are first priority.
The staff went to work one me as Dr. Payne gave them orders. First was an EKG that showed my heart beating fast as hell, but otherwise everything checked out all right. The blood tests followed, but the results still haven’t come back yet.
The ER staff won’t let Eddie in the room with me. Their strict privacy rule of “family members only” keeps him planted in the waiting room. I just want my damn phone so I can call Tom back let him know what happened. I’m sure Thorpe has already leaked my resignation to the news wires, and I imagine the buzz going around on every corner of Wall Street. Good news travels fast, but bad news travels faster.
I rake my fingers through my hair and cringe when I brush the small bump on my forehead.
“Fuck,” I say under my breath just as the doctor walks into my room.
“Nice language, Mr. Kingsley.”
“It’s been that kind of day.” I plop back down on the bed in a huff. “And I really need to get the hell out of here.”
“Hold up there. We still need the results back from your blood work. Though I suspect they’ll show nothing abnormal. You appear to be feeling better. No more shortness of breath or chest pains?”
“I’m doing fine now. That’s the reason that I want to leave. I need to get ahold of my office.” He eyes me as I fidget.
“Your office can wait.” His stern look leaves me no room for argument. “Seems like the Xanax has done the trick. What has you so worked up? You uttered the word Simon under your breath a few times. That’s the guy who shot you, right?”
“Long story, but here’s the short version. Every now and then I have…” I’m not sure why I’m telling him this, because he’ll probably label me as a nut job. “I don’t know. Just weird flashbacks involving the guy.”
“’Weird’?” He places his paperwork on the bed and crosses his arms over his chest. “Explain ‘weird’ to me.”
“I’ve been having dreams of the shooting.”
“Any troubles while you’re awake?” He fishes out a business card and pen from the pocket of his white coat.
“Sometimes.” I don’t want to give away too many details here. I’m uncertain what the doctor will think. To be on the safe side, I refrained from telling him I’ve heard Simon speaking to me.
“I’m not an expert, but I see this a lot in the ER. Trauma can affect your brain. The shooting was traumatic and you’re presenting with some symptoms of PTSD—post-traumatic stress disorder.” He starts scribbling on the card. “I want you to give this psychiatrist a call. He’s an expert in this area.”
“Thanks.” I pocket the card, and the doctor collects his paperwork off the bed.
“I’ll be back with those results, but I’m fairly certain you had a massive panic attack today. Brought on by stress and those flashbacks.” He nods and heads for the door.
Just as the doctor is leaving, the door swings open. Ollie Thorpe stands at the threshold.
“Ollie, what the hell?” I shake my head. How did he even know I was here? The doctor squeezes past Ollie and disappears down the hall.
“Nice introduction,” Ollie says with tilt of his head.
“Sorry, you’re just not who I expected to see opening that door.” I get up from bed and walk over to him.
I extend my hand, but the greeting seems awkward and formal. He doesn’t take my hand; instead, he wraps his arms around me.
My brother.
Hugging me.
An unfamiliar lump sticks in my throat, and I hold onto him tighter.
We break apart and I blink the moisture away.
“I have no clue where to start. First off, I guess I’ll say hello.” I smile at him and he smiles back.
“It’s an awkward introduction for sure.” He darts his eyes around the room. “But how are you? You look all right now.”
“I’m all right.” I take a deep breath. “It’s just been one hell of a day—or last couple of weeks.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“Eddie,” he says. I scratch my head. Eddie has no clue about Ollie and me. “Kathryn called your cell phone. Eddie answered and we rushed over. I got in because I’m your next of kin. Half-brother and all.” Ollie holds up my cell phone in his hands. I promptly grab it from him. “Looks like you missed it.”
“And you’re the only kin I have worth claiming in this town. It’s been a fucked-up day all around.” I swipe my finger over the touch screen, type in my security code, and scroll through the business news wire feed.
Nothing unusual pops up. Did my resignation letter not make the news?
“I don’t get it,” I say, confused.
“What’s up?” He leans over to look at my phone’s screen.
“There’s nothing. My whole world should’ve blown up by now, thanks to Thorpe,” I say, bewildered that my name isn’t headlining any current business news.
“Eddie told Kathryn that you were frazzled after meeting him. What’s going on?”
“A man who’s worked for me for nine years, back to the beginning days of my business, was actually working for your— I mean our father all along.”
“No fucking way!”
“Yes, I found out today the hard way, and Thorpe forced me to sign a resignation letter or let my company go down. This man had secure, highly controlled software codes he’d taken from my company; codes that would’ve opened up the firewalls for every client we have. Banks. Websites. Even the biggest online retailer.”
“I can’t believe this.” Ollie shakes his head as his face twists in a frown.
“The catch was I had to resign or he’d leak the information and ruin Kings.”
“That’s corporate blackmail and totally illegal.” Ollie paces the room, but stops and holds up his finger. “I’m going to call that bastard now. He’ll take my call. Believe me. Besides, I haven’t heard shit about your resignation.”
“That’s what isn’t making sense.”
Ollie pulls out his phone, hits the screen a few times, and then holds the device up to his ear. “Something smells like bullshit here.”
“Yes, Natalie. It’s Ollie. Tell Thorpe code red.”
I scrunch my face at his words. What the hell does that means?
“Thorpe!” Ollie yells into the phone. I’m surprised he calls his own father by his last name, too. Just like I do. “What did you do to Adam?” Ollie press his phone’s screen again.
“What does it matter to you?” Thorpe’s voice rings out into the room. “And how the hell do you even know he was here?”
Holy shit, Ollie put Thorpe on speakerphone. “Wait, was it Kathryn Delcour and her big mouth?”
“Irrelevant. Back to the question. What did you do to Adam?”
I hear Thorpe chuckling in the background. My whole body tenses. My life has turned upside down, and he’s fucking laughing at me!
“I just taught him a little lesson. Let him know who’s really in control of his life. Have been since before he was born.” My blood turns cold at his words.
“So forcing his resignation was nothing more than a power trip for you?” Ollie looks at me, astonished.
“Yes. Let’s call it a mindfuck. He thought he could beat me at my own game, but he was wrong. It’s funny, though. His actual resignation only occurred in his mind. What he signed is worthless. The next time your bastard brother wants to try to prove he’s bigger than me, he’ll think again. I can crush his world with very little effort.” Another devious laugh comes through the speaker. My thoughts turn murderous as the conversation continues.
“I’ve heard enough. Go to hell, you sick and twisted bastard!” Ollie ends the call and turns to me, but I’m paralyzed as I process the last of the phone call.
“I didn’t really resign... or did I?” I ask in hopes that Ollie will help interpret that conversation. How could he do something like that to me? It makes no sense at all.
“You’re still head of Kings.” Ollie sighs. “And our DNA donor is still a fucking asshole.”
I collapse back onto the bed, my head in my hands. In the span of a couple of hours, I was going to pummel Thorpe, then I was forced to sign a resignation letter, and now I find out the letter was made-up. I close my eyes, weak from mental exhaustion. My heart begins to race again as cold sweat spreads across my body.
“I can’t believe someone could be that evil,” I mumble in shock.
“You’re his biggest enemy. A mistake he couldn’t cover up, so he uses all his power to try and control you.”
“I don’t understand that kind of hatred. What is ‘code red,’ by the way?”
“It’s the only time my father will take a call from me. It means that something bad has happened to someone in our family. Rather apropos since you’re my brother. No lies at all on my part.”
“I guess not.” I take a few deep breaths, trying to ward off another panic attack.
“I haven’t spoken to him in three years. My mother had a health scare, and he had his assistant call to inform me that my mother might die. So I confronted him on his callousness. We agreed to use the code red to communicate moving forward. Otherwise I don’t want to hear from him ever again.” Ollie takes a seat in the chair across from the bed.
“I can’t imagine what you went through living under his roof as a child.” I wonder how Ollie turned out to be such a decent man.
“He was never around, something I’m grateful for.”
There’s a knock on the door, and the doctor comes back in the room. “You’re good to go. The blood work came back normal. I want you to take it easy for a few days and reconnect with what’s important in life. And call the doctor on the card I gave you.” He glances between Ollie and me. “Are you two brothers?”
We look at each other and laugh. I say, “Yes, we a
re.”
“Get him to take a long vacation, okay?” Dr. Payne asks Ollie with an arched brow.
“I’ll do my best.” Ollie responds with a grin.
“Take care.” Dr. Payne’s serious tone matches the look in his eyes.
The doctor seems like a smart man. Maybe I should take his advice and spend some time away from the office for a change. Just the thought of putting miles between me and Thorpe eases some of the tension in my body.
“I still can’t believe you’re my brother,” he says, speaking fast after the doctor leaves us.
“No kidding.” I give him a nod. “I have to be honest here. I wasn’t sure you’d want to have anything to do with me.”
“When Kathryn told me she was involved with you, I did freak out. You have a bit of a reputation.” Ollie arches a brow and leans closer to me.
“I can’t deny it, and I don’t blame you for thinking that way.” I raise my hands in concession. “I promise what I feel for Kathryn is genuine. That woman has totally knocked me off my feet.”
“Kathryn’s the most beautiful woman I know. Both inside and out. I’m rather protective of her, since we grew up together, side-by-side.” It’s good to know Ollie and I agree about Kathryn. “She really has strong feelings for you, so I promised to suspend my judgment for a bit. Then she springs the whole brother news on me. I was fucking floored.”
“I figured you might be. I am the ugly secret. Thorpe has never said a word to anyone about me being his son.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. I’m just sorry I didn’t know about you sooner,” Ollie says. The wasted years spread as a frown on his face.
“I need to ask you a favor.” I search Ollie’s face as he waits for my request. “I know you don’t have a reason to trust me, but I don’t want to bring up what Thorpe did to me right now. I’d rather pick a better time to break it to Kathryn.”
“Okay, just make sure you tell her today. She has a right to know.” I nod. “She’s crazy about you, and for that reason, I don’t want to hear about you breaking her heart. Capisce?”