His Rules

Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

S ebastian

“What is the meaning of the interruption?” I barked as two police officers strode in through the door. “Get them out of here.”

“I’m afraid we can’t do that, partner of mine. It would seem you were caught red-handed embezzling funds from various accounts.”

I turned my head toward Drake. He was positively beaming with glee. The other board members were smug, acting as if they’d known all along what was about to occur.

“Nice try, Drake. You’re cunning. I’ll give you that.” The officers were making no attempt to move toward me, waiting for Drake’s cues. This had been a complete setup.

“I don’t know what you mean. I was just as concerned as you were about the condition of our company. I learned why. Did you really believe you were going to be able to hide the money you stole by hiring another auditor’s firm? I mean come on, the balls on you are the size of watermelons. Thankfully, the auditors couldn’t be bought. That is what you did, right? Try and buy their silence?”

I hadn’t anticipated that particular move. When I noticed Mark slinking into the room, I knew immediately Drake had managed to convince the poor guy to follow his lead. What lengths had he gone to in order to buy the guy?

“Mark. Good of you to come. Now, why don’t you explain to this board and the kind officers exactly what you found after performing a forensics audit?” Drake’s smugness was fueling my rage.

Mark looked positively ashen as he cleared his throat. “It was difficult to find and expertly hidden, but monies have been taken from the company’s funds for almost two years. I had to dig deep, but the trail finally led to your computer, Mr. Winfield.”

The man certainly couldn’t look me straight in the eyes. “Do you know what I find most interesting in all of this? The reason behind you trying to drive me out. And it suddenly came to me. You’re a part of Waterhouse Industries. You wanted to absorb our company and in doing so, that would create an empire that few could ever aspire to. Isn’t that correct?”

“Waterhouse is our direct competition. Why in God’s name would I do that?” Drake asked as if nothing could ever bring him down.

“Because you’re greedy.”

“Do you have any proof?” he challenged.

Unfortunately, I did not. I’d yet to crack the system, but there were red flags. I’d simply needed more time.

Drake laughed. “I thought so. Gentlemen, please arrest this man on charges of embezzlement.”

The officers moved forward.

“Not so fast. I have the evidence.”

The voice was like sweet music, yet Kacey’s lack of obedience brought a series of thoughts into my mind that were highly inappropriate. She strolled in looking like a million bucks, the friend I’d met coming in behind her carrying a laptop. What the hell had the two women cooked up?

“What are you doing?” I asked as Kacey stood beside me. Her glare at the officers could rival my own.

“I’m saving your bacon and your company. I have proof that not only is Drake the man who embezzled money from this company, but is working with Ashley Goodman and her father on this attempt at a hostile takeover. They plan on merging both companies.”

I slowly turned my head toward Drake. “You did this?”

The man finally wore an expression of defeat, but only briefly. “That’s bullshit. Don’t believe a word out of that girl’s mouth since she’s Sebastian’s little whore.”

That was all I could take. I threw two hard punches, one catching him under the chin, the other immediately splitting his lip. As speckles of blood flew against my shirt, the other board members stood. “You will not disparage her that way. I told you that before.”

I wasn’t finished yet, grabbing him around the throat and shoving him against the wall with a brutal thud.

Gasps ensued, the once quiet room erupting into yells. I could feel the officers breathing down my neck and knew they were telling me to let go.

But I didn’t give a shit.

No one talked about my woman that way.

Drake tried to throw a punch, but I caught his fist, glaring him directly in the eyes. “Your time here is finished.”

“You have no fucking proof,” he insisted.

“Yes, we do.” Kacey’s voice rang loud above the chaos, her voice strong and her words without hesitation. “Let me show you, including how Drake and Ashley have been in an intimate affair for two years.”

It took a few seconds for the information to sink in. I released my hold, shaking my head. “I should have known. All the time you told me how bad she was for me, you were really telling me she was perfect for you. I’ll be damned.”

Drake acted like he was choking, wheezing dramatically for effect.

“I’m afraid we’re still going to need to arrest you, Mr. Winfield,” one of the officers said.

“There will be no need at this time. I need to hear this out.” Jeff Baker had been on the board with us the longest. He’d known my father, although they hadn’t gotten along.

With his authoritative voice, the officers finally backed off.

I turned to face Kacey, giving her a stern look.

She smiled as mischievously as I’d ever seen. “Take a look at these photographs obtained just last night.”

Seeing Drake and Ashley in an intimate embrace would have gutted me only a couple of years before. Now, it felt like vindication.

“Furthermore,” Kacey continued, “I have proof of what has been mentioned, including emails indicating Drake Caffrey’s intentional activities in attempting to defraud both the company and Mr. Winfield. There are also files kept with notations about the plans that have been in motion for two years. Two. Years.”

I’ll be damned if the woman wasn’t sounding like an attorney. I was proud and pissed at her at the same time. She’d disobeyed me, going behind my back to save my ass. Hers would be red soon enough. The thought brought a twisted joy into my system.

I was a depraved man after all.

“One last thing, Drake. You can give my regards to Ashley. Perhaps the two of you were made for each other. Do let her know my father has successfully purchased enough shares of the World Hospitality Corporation that he is now in control. After news of this… ordeal breaks, we plan on absorbing the entire company, bringing it back into the family. Which it should have never left.”

I so enjoyed seeing the look of fear on my ex-partner’s face. Thankfully, it did provide some sense of satisfaction.

I watched as the evidence rounded the table, the two men and one woman on the board appearing disgusted. While Drake was sweating and Stephanie was taking over the show, I pulled my luscious woman aside, crowding her space.

“You disobeyed me,” I told her.

“Yes, I did and would do it again.”

“A repeat offender.”

“Just someone who cares about you.” She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with defiance. “Who cares very much.”

“Remind me to spank your ass when this business is finished.”

“Only if you catch me first.”

“Mr. Winfield, how does it feel to be considered a hero?”

“Mr. Winfield. Now that your partner has been arrested, what are your future plans for Aeronautical Enterprises?”

“Mr. Winfield, is there any truth to the rumors you’re shifting direction of your company, bringing your father and brother on board as equal partners?”

The questions were rolling. In the few days since the board meeting, the press had hounded me constantly. They’d camped outside the office and my house, the phone calls nonstop. Embezzlement and extortion, another piece of evidence my lovely financial analyst had discovered, was big news to St. Louis.

I’d held a press conference, but had no intention of constantly answering questions at this point. The investigation was ongoing, the detectives assigned to the case as well as the prosecutor noting it wouldn’t be completed for at least two months.

“Mr. Winfield. Have you given the woman who discovered the sabotage a raise?”

Maybe I was in a devious mood, but I found myself stopping just moments before heading into the restaurant. I turned slowly, smiling for the cameras as Kacey had reminded me to do.

I smoothed down my jacket and took a step closer. “While the announcement has yet to be made, I’ll share some news with you. I’ve asked and Ms. Taylor has accepted the role of vice president of operations for the newly formed Winfield Partners. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a very important luncheon.”

The questions continued, but fortunately, they didn’t attempt to follow me into the restaurant. I glanced into the dining room, unable to see Kacey anywhere.

“Can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m here to meet a young woman for lunch.”

“Ah, yes, Ms. Taylor. Please follow me.” She guided me into the main dining room, but continued toward the outer doors. The location was one I hadn’t been to in a long time, the building flanking the Meramec River. As soon as she led me outside, I took a deep breath.

It would seem my lovely financial analyst had taken certain matters into her own hands. She was a meddler.

At a table at the edge of the oversized deck my old friend Daniel was waiting. As soon as he saw me approach, he stood. By the confused look on his face, I could tell he’d also been duped by my sensual vixen.

I almost turned away, but realized Kacey would never allow me to live it down. I slowed my pace, both of us bristling at the same time.

The feelings from what he considered my deception remained raw in the man. I couldn’t blame him.

“Here you are,” the girl said. “Your server will be right with you.”

As she walked away, the two of us stood staring at each other.

“Dan,” I finally said.

“Sebastian. Obviously, I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Same. It would seem we have a mutual interest who is determined to force us to talk.”

He looked away briefly then shook his head. “She takes after her mother. A little conniving.”

“I think she takes after you and you’re proud of it.”

At least he smiled. “Why don’t we sit since we’re here. You know my daughter. She’ll make our lives miserable if we don’t talk.”

I laughed and pulled out the chair. “Yes, she will.”

A waitress approached almost immediately. “Would you like something to drink?”

I lifted a single eyebrow and he chuckled. “I don’t have any surgeries today.”

“Two Kentucky bourbons. Neat.” I even held up two fingers. It was in remembrance of the old days, the fun times we’d shared when we were still wet behind our ears.

We were still both tense, the awkwardness something we’d never experienced before. He finally exhaled. “I’m glad things worked out at the firm.”

I nodded. “I don’t think I’d be sitting here if it hadn’t been for Kacey’s perseverance. Even if she went against my orders.”

“She has a way of doing that.” His eyes were more expressive than ever. “She really is like her mother. So alive and eager to fight the world if necessary.”

“She’s her own woman and very special.”

“She tells me you offered her an executive position with the new company.”

“Yes, and she accepted. She’s going to bring life and excitement into the hospitality business.”

Daniel leaned over the table. “You’re damn lucky to have her. Don’t fuck it up.”

I threw up my hands. “I have no intention of doing so. She’ll keep me on my toes.”

“I can’t believe Ashley did that to you.”

“Yeah, well, she was always a go-getter. My father is blaming himself for suggesting strongly that we get married. But it’s no one’s fault but mine.”

“You were trying to live your life the way you wanted to without interference from your father. That’s something I almost forgot about. Who am I kidding? I did forget. Kacey is a grown woman.”

“Yes, very much so.”

He gave me a funny look, but we both burst into laughter.

The drinks were brought and another awkward moment settled in.

“I love my little girl. I just don’t want to see her hurt.”

“Neither do I.”

“I’m going to be blunt with you, Sebastian. If you’re planning on dumping her at some point, just do her a favor and end things now. Don’t wait. It would break her heart and she doesn’t deserve that.”

“I have news for you, my friend. I never intend on letting her go.”

“Always the possessive man,” he chided.

“You bet.”

He lifted his glass. “To friendships.”

“To friendships.” We touched glasses and took deep swallows. “Did she give you the sermon about growing up and not losing friends? Being ridiculous and bullheaded?”

“I think those were her exact words. She also threatened me that if I didn’t work this out with you, she’d never talk to me again.”

“Yep. So like her. She didn’t trust us to make the right decision.”

“I guess not. Maybe she knows us too well.”

“I think so.

Daniel took another gulp of his drink. “If I were you, I’d keep that in the back of your mind always.”

“Good advice.”

“I always gave you good advice.”

I glared at him playfully. “No, I gave you good advice.”

“You mean like the time you also dared me to climb that goddamn flagpole?”

“Hey, I was right there with you.”

This time we laughed easily.

“Those were some fun times,” he said. “I miss them.”

“We need to get together and do a few every once in a while.”

“I might be a little old for a few of our antics.”

“Never admit that. Never.”

His grin was just like in the old days. “Okay. Now that’s the kind of advice I’ll take.”

“Why don’t we order lunch? I’m starving.”

“I am too. One question though.” He swirled his drink and I knew it was going to be a ballbuster of a question.

“Sure.”

“If the two of you get married, do I get to call you my son-in-law?”

I choked on my gulp, forced to grab my napkin. “Let’s not jump to any conclusions. We’ve been dating a couple weeks.”

“But you will make an honest woman out of her. Right?”

“God. You are a pain in my ass.”

“Just wait until my daughter gets her claws into you.”

I wasn’t about to say it, but I couldn’t wait. I was starving. But not for food.

For the woman who’d awakened my senses and brought me back to life. And I’d meant what I’d told her before.

I was never letting her go.