“Are you ill? Do we need to get to the doctor?” He pulled out his phone. She stopped him with a touch to his hand.
“I readily admit my knowledge is limited and I have a lot to learn.” She took a breath. A spectacle is not what she wanted to create, and letting her emotions get the best of her would do precisely that. “I’m trying to understand. Do you mean to close these factories and put all these people out of work? During the holidays?”
“If that happens, they’ll get severance pay.” His response was automatic without any thought at all, said as if that one sentence would make everything better.
She opened her folder and flipped to some notes she’d taken. “Lawrence said the company bought out ninety percent of the long-term employees. Most of the remaining employees have been with the company less than ten years. Their severance pay will last a few weeks. Then what do they do?”
“Unemployment,” he said like it was a solution to his problem, not theirs.
“Unemployment isn’t enough to keep a roof over anyone’s head. It’s barely enough to keep food on the table.”
“Calista, it’s a proposal. It’s not set in stone.” He took her hands. “Today’s meeting was about weighing Bryn Co.’s options. The fact is something has to change or the red will grow and take Bryn Co. down. Not next month, but two, three years tops. We halt the bleeding now and save the company from hardship later on.”
“But seven hundred people!” she hissed, and had to calm herself before she exploded and everything she wanted to say was lost. “Tell me something,” she asked after a few deep breaths. “Did you give out Christmas bonuses this year?”
He stiffened and his mouth opened, then snapped closed as his eyes turned flinty and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “Yes.”
“I bet it wasn’t a Benjamin stuffed into an envelope. More than four zeros, I’m guessing, totaling more than some of the people you want to layoff make in a year.” She leaned closer so he’d catch every word. “If you can give away hundreds of thousands of dollars in Christmas bonuses to a company that’s losing money, you can find a way to save these low-wage jobs. Promise me you’ll find a way to save their jobs. Promise me they won’t be sacrificed on the altar of corporate America.” She could tell he took offense but that’s how she felt, and she wouldn’t apologize. “You will save their jobs.”
He took her face in his hands and brought her close. They were in the fishbowl on full display. “I won’t make a promise I may not be able to keep. I will promise to do all I can. They will not be sacrificed.”
She believed him, had no reason not to. “Thank you.” The distance between them vanished. She kissed him slowly, sweetly, and didn’t give a damn who watched.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Four weeks later: Thanksgiving.
C alista was livid, absolutely livid. The last thing she’d told Laverne was only immediate family. No third and fourth cousins at the beach house for Thanksgiving. It wasn’t a suggestion. It was an order. So why were there fifteen cars lining the driveway! There were so many cars they had to park in the street. The street! Great way to be picked off. No use screaming at security when this wasn’t their fault and she hadn’t specifically instructed them when she specifically instructed her beloved cousin.
Give that woman enough rope and she’d become a cowgirl.
Sitting across from her, Joshua was suspiciously silent. Initially, he hadn’t wanted to tag along, claimed he had Black Friday shopping to do. Once she insisted on his presence, he happily fell in line.
Calista glanced at Julius sitting beside her as Edwards parked behind a Kia. Body tense, mouth grim, guilt gnawed at her. Ultimately, she was responsible for this debacle. It was her family wrecking his home. Oh God. All she could do was hang her head and gather her strength. So much for a quiet, relaxed Thanksgiving. “I’ll take care of this.”
He took her hand in his. “It’s fine, Calista.”
Which is precisely what you say when it’s not fine, though she appreciated the platitude. The past month, living in his penthouse had plenty of highs. Waking up in his arms. Having breakfast and dinner together. Planning for the baby, though it was too early to know the sex. Redecorating the penthouse to suit their needs.
They were working, she and Julius. Somehow, someway, they did more than tolerate each other. He didn’t snore, didn’t leave his clothes all over the place, didn’t treat the servants like shit, and had no bad habit she couldn’t tolerate. He even put down the toilet seat after one tongue lashing. He was so sweet, and perfect, and she loved him so much.
Tears gathered for a hormonal surge she had to fight back. I refuse to get weepy. At twenty-one weeks pregnant, her hormones were off the charts; she cried at commercials. Her hand roamed over her extended belly. Subtle draping couldn’t hide it anymore, she thought as she climbed out of the car with Julius’ help.
“The area’s secure,” Sunny said. With bodyguards surrounding them, they headed up the long driveway, passing security patrolling the grounds. It had been almost two months since the FBI’s warning and nothing had changed. Calista should be happy no one had taken another potshot at Julius or attempted to kidnap Joshua again. And she was, but the wait was killing her. It was hard living under a black cloud waiting for the hammer to fall, catastrophe to strike, a loved one to be snatched away. Every happy moment was tainted.
“Hey! You guys made it.” Gerald greeted them at the door.
Made it? As if they were guests.
“How was the helicopter ride in?” Gerald asked.
“Smooth.” They flew from the penthouse to the heliport in Montauk and drove in.
“The owner’s here, so watch your manners,” Gerald shouted and ushered them inside. Family members she hadn’t seen in decades, family members that weren’t even hers, lounged around the house.
Ever the gracious host, Julius followed Gerald for the meet and greet. The men and a few women rushed to greet Julius and pick his brain about various things. The rest, mainly her family, greeted her with hugs and questions about the pregnancy. Joshua disappeared after the first wave of greetings. Probably to the theater room. Calista murmured to Edwards, “Fan out. Make sure everyone stays in the common areas. No bedrooms, offices… You get where I’m going?”
“Already done,” Edwards said. “Took care of it the moment I heard about the dinner.”
“God, I love a man who knows how to do his job.” She gave praise where it was deserved.
Edwards smirked. “Don’t get me in trouble with the boss.” He walked off.
Calista headed for the kitchen—the only place Laverne would be. She found her at the stove, queen of the kingdom, every spot on the six-burner surface occupied. Several dishes were already done and resting on the counter. A ham and roast beef among the count. On an opposite counter, the pies: apple, sweet potato, pumpkin, plus a carrot cake, and a German chocolate cake made from Calista’s mother’s recipe. Everything smelled divine.
“This was not what I envisioned when you said you were having Thanksgiving.” Calista invaded Laverne’s space.
Laverne walked around her to the dual industrial ovens. She opened one to baste the turkey. It was already golden brown, so pretty, and huge. She’d made enough food to feed an army, which was exactly how many people were out there. “It’s just a few family members.” Laverne took the bird out of the oven.
“Who could get killed.” Calista grabbed a mitt and helped her set the turkey on the only space left.
“I made them sign a waiver.” All smug, Laverne grinned.
Shocked, Calista reared back. “You did?”
“Nope. Now pass me that platter. I’m carving this baby up.”
“Laverne, I’m serious!”
Her cousin planted her hands on her hips. “So am I. It makes perfect sense to have a big dinner, especially if some asshole’s out there planning to hurt us. This may be the last time we’re all together. No Debbie Downers today. Today, we give thanks and celebrate with
the living ’cause tomorrow, who knows, we may all be dead.”
Laverne missed her true calling—psychic, poet, truth slayer. “Did you bring Mavis?”
Calista shook her head. “Today wasn’t a good day. She was combative. She’s having a rough time settling into the penthouse. She doesn’t like change. I’ll bring her dessert. Maybe she’ll eat it.”
Laverne squeezed Calista’s shoulder. “How are the internships going?”
“Fine.” She said and rolled her eyes. “I’m with Joshua all day, and everywhere we go, I hear, ‘Hello, Mr. Morgan. How are you, Mr. Morgan? Can I get you anything, Mr. Morgan?’ The problem is Joshua’s screwing most of them.”
Laverne fake gasped and clutched her imaginary pearls. “The slut.”
Calista giggled. “The bitches were throwing daggers at me. The looks they gave me and my bump, you would’ve thought I’d drugged the boy and made him my slave. That stopped when I ran into Julius on the trading floor and he kissed me in front of everyone!” she screamed silently like a teenager at a rave.
“Oh no he didn’t.” Laverne silently screamed with her until they both burst out laughing.
“So, the speculation about me and Joshua ended, but the dagger eyes continue.”
“Because how dare you snag the hottie billionaire. Get over it, bitches. Julius Morgan is off the market. There are more billionaires out there. Go find your own, skanks.” Laverne flicked her fingers at an imaginary skank. “And Erica? How’s that going?”
“The same dagger eyes when they think I’m not watching. Whatever, I’m not losing sleep over how people feel about me.” She had enough on her plate worrying about a real threat. “Erica sent over the bullet points on the upcoming board meeting. I discussed them with Joshua—”
“Not Julius?” Laverne’s glare held all sorts of questions.
“Because I want to form my own opinions without influence from good dick,” Calista whispered.
Laverne snorted. “Man, good dick is deadly. Good dick can make a smart woman stupid, a stupid woman a genius, and the rest of the population rabid. Women lose their minds and their wallets over good dick.”
Calista’s mind wandered to the good dick she had last night. Whew. Her brain started sweating. Damn, someone should’ve warned her how fantastic pregnancy sex was.
“Earth to Calista.” Laverne nudged her shoulder and snickered. “Mind out of the gutter.” She turned on a dime and yelled into the family room. “I need help in here.”
Deaf, dumb, and blind, the men feigned all three, though Sunny strolled into the kitchen, his nose leading him on a circuit around the island laden with food.
The girls trooped in: Jane, the oldest at twenty-two, Josette at seventeen, fifteen-year-old Jesenia, and twenty-year-old Jentry.
“We’re doing this buffet style. Jane, get the table set, you know how I like it. Josette, carve the roast. The ham is spiral from Honey Baked. I can’t beat their recipe, so why try. Jesenia and Jentry, start dishing up the sides.”
Calista joined Jentry and Jesenia. Mac and cheese, collard greens, asparagus wrapped in bacon. Mashed potatoes, rice and beans, stuffing, candied yams, glazed carrots, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, sweet rolls, and gravy. Add the turkey, ham, and roast beef. Laverne hadn’t forgotten a thing. Was the apocalypse coming?
“Look at you landing a big fish.” Jane laughed. Tall, with honey-colored skin, she’d manhandled her unruly hair into an afro on top of her head. Her expressive eyes were her best feature. She could cut you with a single withering glance, just like her mother.
“She landed Moby Dick.” Jentry made a jerking motion with her hand.
Calista took exception to the hand motion and the insinuation, and the lewd gesture in front of two minors. “I didn’t land him. He landed me.” She dished up the mac and cheese.
“Yeah, whatever. Just don’t fuck it up.” Jane retrieved a stack of plates from a cabinet.
Calista took exception to that also. “Excuse me? Why is it I shouldn’t fuck it up? What about him fucking it up?”
“Look at him. He’s fine and rich.” Josette handled the Japanese carving knife with ease. Calista hoped she didn’t slice off a finger.
“I have my own money.” Left to her by Harvey.
“Yeah.” Jentry sighed. “Your money ain’t his money. Millionaire.” She pointed at Calista. “Billionaire.” She sized Julius up, who was talking with Gerald near the crackling fireplace. “One thousand of you equals one of him.”
Now that was rude, but accurate.
Jane took a bowl from Jesenia. The two were the same height and build, but Jane—the oldest—was significantly lighter than her sisters, and had a mop of unruly curly hair that had a life of its own. Gerald wasn’t her biological father. “What we’re all trying to say is: Don’t. Fuck. It up.” The four girls took the food to the dining table.
She didn’t plan to. “Make sure you tell him the same thing.”
“Gerald should be doing that right now.” Laverne piped in.
Calista wasn’t going there. If Gerald wanted to step into the concerned father role, she approved. “How’s Gerald with the new job?”
“He’s not complaining. It’s a cushy position working in the IT department, something that was a hobby for him. Now he’s approaching sixty, learning from twentysomething-year-olds, and making twice what he made at the hospital.”
Calista was relieved.
“Jane didn’t say she was happy with her new job in public relations, but if she didn’t like it, you and everyone else would know about it,” Laverne murmured out the side of her mouth. “Josette hasn’t left her room except for food and the bathroom. She’s taking what classes she can online, but…the semester may be a wash. Her words, not mine. All she does is sit around and eat.” Laverne threw up her hands. Josette’s weight was a constant bone of contention in the family. Calista didn’t get it. Josette was a BBW and not ashamed of it. Her sisters and mother should get with the program and leave her alone. “Jesenia’s taking classes too, but she’s a bookworm and hasn’t complained. I’m hiring a tutor for both on Monday.”
Laverne bustled around the kitchen talking and working. She was the queen of multitasking. “Jentry.” She shook her head. “She’s not living here, and as usual, she’s not telling me anything about her situation… Nothing!” Laverne sighed, clearly annoyed and not hiding it. A picture of her was in the dictionary under “Helicopter Mom.”
Laverne flicked off the stove. “Everything’s done. I’m starving and I know everyone else is too.” She glanced at Calista’s bump and walked away.
Calista grabbed Jentry as she strolled past with Allie on her hip. “Everything okay at Casa Harden?” she whispered, not wanting anyone else to hear. No one knew the real deal with her new digs. They all thought Julius was behind the apartment. Not her mafia boss.
Jentry huffed. “Everything’s fine.” She moved away quickly.
There was only so much Calista could juggle. Jentry was a grown woman. Calista hoped whatever mess Jentry was getting herself into, she’d get herself out of.
The family filed into the dining room, about thirty people, including the bodyguards who weren’t on patrol outside. Sunny, Edwards, Scotts, and Virgil—the new guy—were among the number. Joshua was spotted next to a few of Gerald’s teenaged nephews and nieces. One of them had brought a PlayStation and the group had converted the theater room into a game room. It was good to see him with kids in his age group.
The table was blessed. Then came the lengthy ritual of everyone stating what they were grateful for. And just when she thought it was over, Julius cleared his throat.
“I have much to be thankful for, specifically Calista and our newest addition. But I have one thing to do before we eat.” He turned to Calista. “You've already given me your answer, but every woman deserves to be properly asked.” He went down to one knee and she wasn’t the only one who gasped. “Calista Coleman. Do me the honor of being my wife.” He pulled a sm
all box from his pants pocket and opened it.
She knew this was coming. He had asked the question a month ago and then never brought it up again. She hadn’t told anyone he’d popped the question because looking at her bare left hand would be the first thing they’d do. Still, nothing had prepared her for the first view of her ring.
Hand trembling, she plucked the diamond free, held it up to the light, and angled it for a deeper appreciation. She knew this stone, had seen it in magazines and marveled at its uniqueness. The stone gleamed with a deep luster that was stunning. “It’s a salt and pepper diamond.”
“I’ve never heard of that. Have you?” someone whispered.
Calista tuned everyone out and touched Julius’ cheek. “Salt.” Then touched her chest. “Pepper.” His smile was as lustrous as the ring. Bottom lip caught between her lips, she let her hand drift down to her bump as tears collected in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. “It’s perfect.” She sobbed and fisted his lapel. She dragged him to his feet for a kiss.
He kissed her salty, tearstained lips, breaking apart when things threatened to go off the rails. “It’s not official until I put it on.”
“By all means.” She held out her left hand and sighed happily when it circled her fourth finger. “Damn, it’s so beautiful.”
“Is she gonna answer the man?”
“Yes! I said yes before and I’m saying yes again. I will marry you.” She sealed the deal with a kiss.
Laverne barely let them get their plates and find a seat when she attacked. “When’s the wedding? After the baby, right? You’re due in May, but I have a feeling you won’t go that far. Four months to get your shape back, that makes it an August wedding. Or September, it will be cooler. Labor day! A Labor Day wedding. I’ll start planning.” And off Laverne went. While everyone started eating, she began planning the wedding.
Calista swallowed the food in her mouth and looked at Julius. “I guess we’re having a Labor Day wedding.”
“I guess we are.” He took a swallow from his beer, then said, “We can be in Vegas in a couple of hours.”
Plain and the Billionaire's Seduction (Plain Jane Series Book 3) Page 18