6. Phoenix
Chapter 6
Phoenix
“ S he just fell asleep?” I take in Evangeline’s comatose form on the bed.
Holden nods. “Yeah. They were drinking when I got there. Not that I blame her. I’d get hammered too in her situation.”
I ignore his comment.
Much like earlier, her first sign of life is a groan.
This one isn’t a soft one, though, like this morning, but rather one of someone who’s on the brink of dying. Or, at the very least, feels like it.
“Imma adhdilsgfergbwlkiefsfbdhgwek.”
Holden and I stare at each other at the gibberish that just came out of her mouth. He only raises his brows.
I sigh, something it seems I’ll be doing a lot around this woman. I have no patience for her and her antics.
Don’t want them.
Don’t need them.
Won’t tolerate them.
She’s quiet after that, and soft snores fill the room instead.
Shifting my gaze away from her, I focus on my friend. “Did you really have to break down her door? I thought we said we’re keeping a low profile?”
Holden just smiles—his way of dealing with pretty much anything. “I got a little carried away. I already have some guys working on it.”
I nod. “Good.”
One thing I like about Holden is I don’t need to babysit him. He knows his role and can deal with shit by himself without having to be told. We didn’t have much contact in the last few months between his release and mine, and I quickly realized it wasn’t necessary. He had everything ready for my arrival, had assembled a crew he instinctively trusted, and started delving into our new business venture.
We both know the police will most likely scrutinize every move I make, happy to bust me again at the slightest infraction, so all illegal activity is on pause until we can be sure they’re off my case. And what better way to show you’re an invaluable part of society than giving away some of your money for a good cause? Or several good causes as we grow our charitable foundation legally, with the possibility of using it to wash money down the road. That’s at least what I told my dad to keep him from constantly looking over my shoulder.
And while putting money in other people’s pockets instead of our own isn’t how he raised me, I’m excited for this opportunity. I’ve met a lot of guys in prison who didn’t grow up as fortunate as I did but were better people than most in our rich circle, which says more about them than us .
Holden hasn’t told me everything about his past and demons, but I know enough about him to understand he didn’t have the best upbringing. He was actually the one who suggested starting a charity for teenagers, and I can’t fault him for wanting to offer others a better chance at life. So the Foxhole Foundation was born: a charity to support teenagers who need a helping hand in life.
Holden’s phone chimes, and he reads something on his screen. “Thomas wants to know if his team is supposed to handle Evangeline’s clothes as well.”
I think about it for a moment. Without a doubt, Evangeline has an impeccable wardrobe, but I know she’ll hate everything she gets from me, even if my personal shopper picks it. “Tell Thomas to buy everything Evangeline could possibly need and to have her formal wardrobe for the upcoming events complement my own.”
Holden chuckles. “You’re evil; I like it.”
Evil, I’m not sure. But definitely petty and hateful enough to turn over as many rocks in Evangeline’s life as possible. That’s the whole reason for this charade.
Holden puts his phone back into his pocket. “And you really think she’ll play along and attend the events with you?”
I tilt my head to the side. “If she refuses, I’ll just have to play my ace earlier than I want to.”
He slaps his large hand on my back. “It’ll be fun to watch either way. So far, she’s been wearing her emotions on her face, so I’m not sure she possesses the acting skills she needs to pull this off.”
“Only one way to find out.” I glance at the clock on the wall and sigh. “I have to meet with my father. ”
“Go. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
After this morning’s meeting with the Caldwells, my father went straight to his office in the city. Although he has a big office at his estate, he still prefers the city one where he can revel in everyone’s admiration and fear. I hate having to make the drive, but when my dad calls, I come. Since I want to take over Montgomery Enterprises one day, just like I promised my grandfather I would, I need to play along with my dad’s dominion for as long as necessary.
Since it’s Sunday, the building is mostly empty as I go up to the thirty-second floor. The secretary’s desk was left in pristine condition, like everything else under my father’s control, and I’m tempted to move some things around, but no one deserves my father’s wrath.
As if he heard me, his door opens, and his large body fills the frame. “Get your ass in here.”
He sighs and disappears, leaving the door open for me.
The moment I close it behind me, his voice echoes around me.
“I wanted to see how things are going with your little project.”
Damn, has his office always been this big?
This is my first time back here since my release, and everywhere I go, I can’t help but notice how massive everything is. The change from a small cell to the expansive nature of our homes and businesses isn’t as terrible as it was to get used to the cramped space when I first entered my prison cell, but it’s still an adjustment.
Everything is almost too big.
Is there such a thing as reverse claustrophobia?
“Phoenix.”
My father’s sharp voice snaps me out of my thoughts and the perusal of his executive office with a view of Central Park. “Sorry. What?”
He regards me with narrowed eyes. “I said I want a report on the charity.”
“I’m meeting with the lawyers this week to ensure we have everything we need to get going as soon as possible.” I push both hands in my pockets and stare out the window.
Since we’re heading into fall, the leaves have been creating stunning foliage amidst the skyscrapers. Reds, oranges, and yellows interspersed with greens and browns.
Of all the things I thought I’d miss the most in prison, nature wasn’t one of them. Yet, I’ve been staring at flowers and trees way more in the past couple of weeks since Holden picked me up than ever before.
My father steps in front of me, successfully cutting off my view. We’re around the same height, so the two inches I have on him with my six-foot-four frame unfortunately aren’t enough to secure my vantage point.
His eyes narrow. “You know, this entire time, I thought you’d return to your old position.”
Of course he thought that. He’s groomed me to be what he calls an enforcer, which was never a surprise, considering he loves to use any and all measures to get what he wants. And what’s some blackmail, or violence, when it secures you the companies you lust after?
You’re better than this, Phoenix. Listen to your gut; it will show you the right path .
My grandfather’s words of wisdom could be categorized as famous last words, considering that listening to him ultimately ended with me in prison.
Nevertheless, it felt right to do this from the moment Holden first brought it up.
I push back my shoulders and stare straight into my father’s dark-brown eyes, which is always a bit like staring into a mirror. But I always try not to react to our clone-like appearances since, like the true narcissist he is, he takes pride in the fact that I resemble him so much.
“It’s too soon for that. I’ve thought about this long and hard, and at this point, the foundation is the best thing for me to do to clear my name. Unless you want the company stocks to dip again.”
That shuts him up fast because there isn’t much that my father cares about more than his money.
After my arrest, many investors jumped ship, and it took my father a while to get the enterprise value back to where it used to be. He wouldn’t risk that again. I’m surprised he didn’t think about that himself.
I shrug. “Plus, this will be a nice opportunity to launder money in the future.”
“Fine, have it your way.” He stays quiet and studies me until his facial muscles relax slightly. “Evangeline will certainly be your golden ticket with this. Someone with her social standing might be the only one who can convince people to do business with you. Smart move.”
I want to tell him to screw himself, that I don’t need Evangeline’s help for anything, but that would blow up my whole cover. He doesn’t know Evangeline put me in prison, or he would have never agreed to do business with Byron. And that would have prevented me from getting my hands on my little traitor, at least in the way I have now.
“I’m sure she’ll be a great asset.” I push the words through gritted teeth.
“Good.” He claps me on the shoulder once before he makes his way back to his oversized mahogany desk. “I don’t have to remind you not to screw this up. I don’t care if you fuck her, but don’t let your emotions get involved. I’ve raised you better than that.”
I want to laugh at the ridiculousness of ever having feelings for Evangeline, but the admonishment he just delivered has me biting the inside of my cheek hard enough to taste the coppery tinge of blood. God, how badly I want to give him a piece of my mind, but I can’t do that if I ever want to take over the company. I wouldn’t put it past my father to keep it from me as punishment for getting in his way, or even for standing up to him.
Just like my parents never visited me while I was in prison. I saw them once before my trial, and my dad used that opportunity to tell me if I was stupid enough to get caught, I’d have to deal with the consequences by myself too. He sent someone to check on me in prison periodically to make sure I wasn’t stepping out of line.
So, I nod. “Of course, Father.”
“Visit your mother sometime soon so she stops whining.” He waves a hand toward the door, his attention already back on the papers in front of him.
My dismissal.
What a waste of time to come here for this instead of having the conversation on the phone. Just another one of his many tactics to show his power over me .
I march toward the bank of elevators. One opens, and the two men who were animatedly chatting scurry toward the corner when they see me.
Scary ex-con, yes.
I lean back against the wall and close my eyes. My father has a gift to rile me up like no one else.
Except for Evangeline. She’s on a whole different level.
My phone buzzes, and I take it out to check the screen.
Canary
Have you told the bitch yet? Maybe it’s time to reveal your secret.