by Piper Stone
What I wasn’t prepared for, although I should have suspected, was the sight of my brother standing over my father. My brother wore a wry grin while my father’s face was beet red.
“Fuck you. I’m not going to listen to this any longer,” my father exclaimed before slamming down the office phone with enough force he toppled several items onto the floor. “God damn that asshole.”
Trouble in paradise?
“Get rid of him, Dad. You don’t need the crap,” Chase stated, although amusement remained on his face.
Only when I slammed the door closed behind me did they seem to notice my arrival.
The look shared between the two of them would ordinarily piss me off. Perhaps I was in a good mood from indulging the night before or the anticipation of angry banter. Either way, I was easily able to keep a smile on my face.
“Trouble, gentlemen?” I asked casually.
“Nothing we can’t handle or that needs your interference,” Chase was quick to snap.
My father glanced at his watch, his expression a mixture of disdain and something even more unexpected. Amusement.
“Did your lovely bride to be keep you awake last night?” His question seemed out of character. There was a second look shared. He completely ignored the fact I’d overheard a part of the conversation.
“We enjoyed our evening together, that is after we left the festivities.” I glared at Chase, still preferring to wipe the smug look off his face. While it was only noon, I headed for my father’s bar, selecting his finest whiskey.
“Drinking so early is out of character for you,” Chase said in a condescending tone of voice.
“I’m on vacation. Soon to be married to the love of my life.” I kept my glass raised as I turned to face them, leaning against the bar.
“Yes, which is an interesting scenario,” my father said.
“For what reason?”
“Your timing as always is impeccable.”
My brother’s offhanded comment was loaded with a point. “Ah, yes. The release of my trust fund. I must admit that I scheduled the trip to commemorate the occurrence, something Bristol is in full agreement with.”
“I’m certain she is,” Pops huffed. He moved around his desk, heading toward the bar, giving me a heated look before reaching around me for a glass.
I took my time giving him space then moved toward the windows. “A stunning view as always.”
“Do you really think we’re going to buy this shit?” Chase challenged.
“And what shit is that, brother? That I could manage to find someone to love me for who and what I am?” I could see where this was going.
“Enough!” my father bellowed. “Just accept the fact your brother has found a mate. While we might not consider her suitable, that no longer matters. Houston has always done whatever the hell he wanted to with his life, including his decision to crawl back into the family business.”
Suitable? I knew he was tossing out bullshit to see if I’d take the bait. I had to admit, it was difficult not to. “Well, it’s good to see that nothing has changed in the family resolution. Tell me, Chase, have you found a woman who could tolerate your idiocy?”
“Fuck you, Houston,” Chase hissed.
“I said enough! This meeting is about business and nothing more.” After preparing his drink, Pops walked back to his desk, huffing as he sat down. He’d aged significantly in my years of absence, his complexion sallow and his breathing labored. His good fortune and libations had caught up with him.
“Business. Then let’s get to it.” I remained standing, further challenging my brother as he retreated to one of the chairs in front of my father’s desk.
“Yes, he has a fabulous wedding to plan.” Chase’s normal demeanor had returned, hiding any notion that my words had angered him.
“All right. That’s better.” Pops pulled out two folders from his desk, sliding one toward Chase and other to the edge of the desk. “Given your agreement to work in the business, I’ve developed new contracts for both of you.”
“What does that mean?” Chase asked, darting his eyes toward the folder but making no move to retrieve it.
“It means that your brother is going to play an equal role in the corporation.” It would seem my father was enjoying ruffling Chase’s feathers. That I hadn’t expected on any level.
From what snooping I’d done after Ashley’s first frantic phone call, I’d gathered enough intel to believe Chase was attempting to undermine the corporation. While I had no solid proof as of yet, my brother was a grandstander, likely to leave forgotten clues that would be his path to destruction. While I didn’t necessarily care about the corporation as a whole, I certainly didn’t want it taken apart piece by piece, another investor able to get his or her hands on the family fortune.
What I hadn’t realized was just how troublesome the thought really was. Seeing Chase today made the nagging that much worse. While I’d never considered myself a decent man on any level, hating my father more like a sporting event, there was a small part of me that didn’t want to see him crushed because of family greed.
I was determined to find out what Chase was up to. This would be the perfect way, even though I continued to have zero desire to work with the corporation. What the hell did I know about computer chips? I mused over the request, at least coming to terms with the fact I certainly had an affinity for making money. I could parlay my father’s offer into a very lucrative moment.
“That’s bullshit, Dad. We talked about this. Houston is only here for the money. Isn’t that right?” Chase’s glare was just as I’d expected. Hateful. Full of the need for revenge.
“What about Riley?” I asked with no inflection in my tone whatsoever. I knew my father never had any intention of allowing someone who wasn’t considered his true family into the fold.
He laughed. “Riley has no work ethic and he’s not my blood.”
“I’m certain Charity would beg to differ.”
My father pointed his finger at me, his face red as a beet. “Don’t you dare question my decisions. Riley means nothing to me and never has. I threw him a bone. He should be happy for the crumbs. They’ll still make him a rich man. At least as long as he obeys my commands.”
“That’s tragic, Pops. Riley is a grown man. He can make his own decisions.” I wasn’t as much coming to Riley’s defense as I was trying to find out more of what the hell was going on.
“Don’t fuck with me, boy. Riley is old news. I’m offering you a deal of a lifetime. Either you want to be involved or you don’t. If you decide against my offer, then I want nothing to do with you any longer.”
“As if you ever had anything to do with me.” The anger that I’d held inside rushed to the surface. I closed the distance, shaking my head. “Don’t threaten me, Pops. You won’t like what happens if you do.”
My father reared back then as I’d seen so many times in business scenarios when he was pushed against the wall. He smiled. The expression was one of calculation as well as hatred. I couldn’t care less. “Fine. Sign the contract or don’t.”
Chase huffed, squirming around both of us and heading for the door. “I won’t take this sitting down, Dad. I will challenge your decision in court if necessary.” When he left the room, slamming the door behind him, all I could do was grin. I certainly didn’t mind getting under my brother’s skin.
However, this sudden change of heart was an interesting switch.
“Why don’t we cut the bullshit, Pops. What do you want?”
After taking a deep breath, my father walked toward the window, swirling his drink as he peered out at the vibrant setting below. “I know you won’t believe this, son, but you were always my favorite.”
I almost burst into laughter. Who the hell was he kidding? I did my best to keep my mouth shut. I wanted to see where this was going. My father always had an angle to everything he did. “As I said. Cut the bullshit. There’s a reason you want me here and I doubt it has anything to do with the
trust fund, which is peanuts in comparison to your stock value, let alone the assets you own.”
He took a gulp, finishing almost half the glass before speaking. “I know you weren’t a happy child. Hell, I wouldn’t have been either. After your mother died, I guess I felt business was the only thing that mattered to me. When Charity came along, well, I admit I couldn’t resist her gorgeous body and the way she clung onto my every word. But blood is thicker than water. You are the star of the family, the person I trust the most to take my vision of the company into the future.”
I rolled my eyes, doing everything I could to keep the anger out of my tone. “What about Chase? He’s certainly capable and just as conniving as you are. He’ll make good on his threat to take whatever you offer me straight to court. I don’t think you want that kind of publicity.”
Sighing, he tipped his head in my direction. I could swear there was sadness in his eyes. “Perhaps you’re right, but that doesn’t mean I approve of his methods. Let him challenge. Honestly, I don’t give a shit. He’s a shark, even more so than I’ve been. However, I’ll stick to my guns on this one to my dying breath.”
Dying breath. Who was he kidding?
Now there was no way to keep the laughter from my voice, although my thoughts drifted to the odd middle of the night phone call. Why did I have a feeling I was stuck in the middle of some game? “Whatever you say, Pops. What is the point of this little heart to heart? Just to piss Chase off as much as you’ve done to me my entire life?”
“Always straight and to the point. That’s another trait I respect about you. The point is that I want you on my team. I was hoping you’d come to your senses a couple years ago. I have tremendous plans for the future, but I’m getting older. I’m not as aggressive as I once was and this business is all about dog eat dog, the survival of the fittest. There are dozens of hotshot kids out there trying to make inroads into the world of computers. You wouldn’t believe the technology that’s being developed, and I like to think I’ve had a hand in providing the most robust systems in the world. Did you know that I just signed a defense contract with the United States Marines for one of our new designs?”
The look he gave me was full of pride, something that I’d also rarely seen. “That’s great, Pops.”
“Yes, but there are two companies fighting my patents, even accusing that certain technology was stolen. As you might imagine, that’s already affected our stocks. It’s bullshit, but I’ve had a suspicion that someone is selling highly classified information to the highest bidder. I need someone who has my back and that would be you, son.”
“The call you just had? Did it have something to do with these accusations?”
He rubbed his jaw, his chest heaving. “A small contract. They’re pulling out. They mean nothing in the scope of things, but I feel a domino effect coming on.”
Jesus Christ.
It would appear that Ashley’s concerns were spot on. I thought about his request as well as Chase’s reaction. The man wasn’t telling me everything. I had to wonder if he ever would. Then again, would I give a shit? “I’ll need to read over the contract, Pops. That is the prudent thing to do.”
He laughed, the sound reeking of bitterness and perhaps a touch of admiration. “I would expect nothing less of you, son. You are by far the most intelligent child I produced.”
Produced. I was nothing but his spawn, and perhaps one that could continue to allow him to live the lifestyle he enjoyed. “Well, I guess I’ll take that as a compliment. I’ll get back to you when I’m ready.”
“Try not to take too long, Houston. There are deadlines that need to be met. I don’t feel I have to say this, but I will. If you perform well over the next few months, you will become VP of the entire corporation and eventually all of this will belong to you. Imagine the possibilities.”
Yeah, I could imagine all right.
There were so many oddities about the meeting, not just the fact he suddenly wanted me to take over the company. What the hell was he hiding from me?
I placed my drink on the bar. “You’ll have my answer in forty-eight hours.”
“Good enough.” A shadow fell across my father’s face, his eyes glassing over. “This was never the way I thought things would go. Selling off assets. Losing respect.”
“Selling off assets? What are you talking about?”
He waved his hand, trying to put a smile on his face. “Just business, son. Don’t worry about it.”
“What aren’t you telling me, Pops, and don’t lie to me. You know I can’t tolerate liars.”
He took a deep breath, holding it for several seconds before expelling. “The stock drop hurt us. Business is down significantly from a year ago. And…”
“And?” I hissed, my patience all but gone.
“The company has received a couple of recent threats.”
“The company?”
“Well, the words were directed at me, but I know the intent is to defame and destroy me.”
I cocked my head, knowing I was going to have to pry the information out of him. Maybe the caller hadn’t been some freak after all, but why warn me? “What were the contents of these threats?”
He appeared even more nervous than before. “I haven’t always been a good man, son.”
“Tell me something I don’t know. What did you do?”
His face grew red, a snarl erupting from his throat as he glared at me, but within seconds, his fury faded away, much like his resolve. “I’ve done some things, what some would call illegal activities, although I didn’t consider them as such at the time. Whoever sent the emails seems to have details, maybe even evidence. Damning evidence.”
“The person could be bluffing.”
He shook his head vehemently. “He knew things, details that I’ve kept secret.”
“He. You sound so certain.”
My father slammed his hand on his desk, physically shaking. “I’m not certain of anything except I can’t allow the information to be disclosed. It would ruin me. It would completely tear apart this company. You and your brother and sister would have nothing left. This… individual even accused me of murder. Can you believe that?”
“Actually, yes, I can.”
He stared at me, incredulous, his eyes shimmering with anger. He pointed a finger at me, his entire body shaking. “Don’t you dare say that shit to me! I’m your father. I did what I had to do.”
His vehemence alone was enough to confirm my beliefs.
He’d purposely had at least two of his enemies killed. The tension was high, both of us remaining silent for at least a full minute.
“What does this person want?” I asked bitterly.
“He is trying to blackmail me.”
“For cash?”
“I don’t know at this point. The asshole is toying with me, leading me on saying I’ll learn soon enough. You’re the only one who knows this. You can’t talk to anyone about it. I mean anyone.”
While I wasn’t certain why he hadn’t included Chase in on the conversation, if I had to guess, I’d say my father had determined I couldn’t be behind the blackmail attempt. However, what my father didn’t know was that I was also aware of certain discrepancies that he’d been the instigator of, although nothing that would derail the company entirely. “Is there a time limit?”
“No, at least not yet. I think the asshole wants to keep me on edge and it’s working. I just wish I knew what the asshole wanted. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat.”
Yeah, Pops. Imagine what the two men you destroyed feel.
“What you’ve neglected to tell me as that you’ve also received death threats. I will have to assume it’s from the same person, but maybe you have several individuals attempting to take you down. Isn’t that the case?”
He didn’t react at first, his expression almost blank. Then he slowly fell into his chair, his breathing ragged. “How the hell would you know that?”
“Because I was warned by some unknown caller prior to
your attorney providing the good news about the trust fund.” I walked closer, slamming my hands on the desk. “What the fuck is going on?”
“I swear to you, I don’t know, at least not entirely. I don’t think it’s about the defense contract. This goes way beyond any recent business activities.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You might be a good poker player when it comes to business, Pops, but you’re a shitty liar. My question is why the hell would this entity call me? There has to be a reason.”
“I said. I. Don’t. Know.”
It was easy to see he wasn’t ready to tell me anything useful. I took my time, thinking about what little he’d told me. “You need to send me those emails, Pops.”
“I’d prefer not to.”
“If you want my help, then you will send them to me. I’m here under false pretenses and that pisses me off.”
An actual smile crossed his face and he took a few seconds to look me in the eyes. “I knew I could count on you, son. No matter our differences, blood is always thicker than water.”
I knew better than to think I’d get any additional platitudes from my father. I’d already received more compliments, however jaded they were, than I’d gotten my entire life. As I walked to the door, I could barely contain my laughter.
Or my anger.
Whoever was attempting to blackmail or annihilate my father would be forced to deal with me. And my form of retaliation had nothing to do with stroking a pen or opening a bank account.
While he’d refused to tell me what this was about, I thought it went far deeper than the recent accusations regarding his contract with the military.
“Oh, and son. While Bristol appears to be a nice girl, she’s not the one for you. Besides, I have a feeling that she’s nothing but an actress you hired in order to get your hands on your trust fund. If that’s the case, toss her. You don’t need a noose around your neck. I’ll gladly sign away the fund, especially since I don’t want the blackmailer to get a hold of it.”
There was no reason for his words to bother me in the least, but they did on two levels. Whatever he’d done was extremely egregious. The other reason was more disturbing personally. I thought about his second offer and the answer was easy. “I love Bristol, Pops. While you may not believe it, there is such a thing as wanting to spend your life with someone who’s better than you.”