The Passion

Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

FELISHA

I t felt so good to let loose on Fulton, but now he is blowing up my phone with messages after I didn’t answer his repeated return calls.

I’m not reading them, and it feels so satisfying to block his number.

The man is insane. I only slept with him three times and talked to him on the phone while he was traveling over the few months we knew each other. How he thought we were even close to that sort of commitment is crazy, but obviously there is more to it. Of course, because when is there ever anything in my life where there isn’t more to it.

“One down, one to go. You need to think about how you want to handle your father. Initially, I’m just talking about the bombshell you dropped on him about me, and then the rest we will work on together over the next few days.”

Flynn is asking me the question that I know I have to face, but right now, I’m still getting over the fact that I just verbally beat down a man that at one stage I was starting to think I had potential with. There is not one ounce of feelings left for him, but it’s more that I feel despondent at the way I fell for his smooth talking and at my judgment of his character. I thought I could read people across a table in a matter of moments. But for some reason, he got under my radar, and I’m angry at myself.

I can’t waste energy beating myself up about it, though. Closing that door in my life is the easiest thing I’ve done lately. And knowing that the man sitting beside me has my back no matter what is a relief. Especially when the other men in my life seem to be sneaking around behind me with all kinds of knives. Thank God Flynn is there to fend them off.

“I think it’s time my father and I had a serious face-to-face discussion on where this is headed. The way he has been speaking to me in the office, and talking about me to the staff and board, is not right. I don’t know when it changed, and maybe it has been getting worse over time and I didn’t see it, but it’s time to put a stop to it.”

“No matter what his problem is with you, that’s family business and should stay behind closed doors. Even for the business’s sake. It’s a bad look when the two head people are at each other, surely, he can see that.” The way Flynn is talking, I can hear the disgust in his voice.

“Well, I would have thought so too, since to him the business is his life and his family have always come second, or maybe even further down the list than that. Who knows.” I shrug because I’m truly at a loss with him now.

“So how do you want to handle this? I want to be there with you, but I will be guided by what you want. You know him, and if you think me being there will make it worse, I’ll stay away. It will take every bone in my body, but I’ll do it for you.”

I know he wants to help, but I can’t have him anywhere near this. For multiple reasons.

My father is going to be furious when I see him, and I don’t want that to become just about Flynn. There are so many things I need to say, and if I’m going to get him to listen then I need to be on my own.

Plus, I need to stand up to him for myself. To prove that I’m ready to take the reins of the company. Because to be the head of the business, a female CEO in the corporate world, is not going to be easy. If I can’t stand up to my father, then how will I hold my own in this world I’m about to step into? I may have been the second in charge for almost twenty years, but that means nothing when you take the top job. There will be people out there ready to knock me down.

Not everyone, but in big business, it’s cutthroat.

“I need to do this on my own.” I can see the disappointment in his eyes but shortly followed by understanding.

“I wish you didn’t have to, but I get it. Tell me how I can help you do that, though.”

I can’t have any more respect for this man than I do right now. He knows he has to take a step back, which goes against his protective nature that I have seen in him from the moment my life started imploding. But still, he wants to help me in any way he can.

“I have no idea, except to just keep being you and picking me up every time I fall. I’m hoping that won’t be too many more times, but I would be stupid to think it’s not going to happen at all.”

“I will always be here, but I think you underestimate yourself. I just give you the space to take a breath and you stand up again all by yourself, just like you have been doing all your life, from what I can work out.”

Flynn is such a contradiction from what I thought he was like before I really knew him. Being a womanizer, you assume he is also a man who would always want to be in control of a woman. Yet he is the opposite. Letting me be the woman I am and encouraging me to continue with how I want to lead the life that I have created for myself.

Hearing him encouraging me to do what I need to do has my heart beating louder for him.

“Thank you.” It’s all that needs to be said. We drive in silence for a while, and then we fall into just random conversation because I think Flynn can tell that’s what I need.

Eventually we get closer to the center of the city where we both live, and he looks across to me.

“Where am I taking you now, to your father’s or home with me, now that there is no need to hide our relationship?”

“I think I might like to go home on my own for a while if that’s okay. I just need to get my head together and curl up in my own bed, taking some time to just feel sorry for myself.” The scowl on his face tells me he is not happy with that answer.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Besides, I have a very comfy bed you can crawl into with me.” I know Flynn means well, but it’s not what I want.

“I know that, but I just want to be on my own. It’s nothing to do with you, Flynn, it’s just what I need.” I’m almost pleading with him not to make this a big deal.

“What I’m more worried about is your father turning up at your apartment. To be honest, he could already be there. I think it’s a good idea for you to be able to speak to him somewhere that you can choose to leave, but if he arrives at your apartment then it’s harder to kick him out. And I’m not there to protect you, and I’m not fucking okay with that!” His voice escalates to the point that the frustration that he has been trying to hold in all day is now escaping.

“I don’t need protecting! I’m a grown-ass woman who can protect herself from her own father, even if he is the worst person I know!” Now I’m the one losing my temper, and to be honest, I don’t have the energy fight with Flynn, while also fending off the other men in my life.

“But you shouldn’t have to!” He smacks his hand down on the steering wheel.

And that’s the problem.

Flynn doesn’t doubt me and is constantly showing me respect, but it will never stop him from wanting to be there for me. Not to overrun me, but to support me.

I reach across and put my hand softly on his cheek, trying to soothe him.

“I know, but this is how it is. If I don’t stand up to him now, then I will forever appear weak to every man I do business with. And whether we like it or not, the world is watching this from the outside.” Stroking my thumb over his skin, I can feel him dropping his head into my hand, taking the comfort I offer.

“I know,” he says, but I can tell his jaw is still clenched as I take my hand away. And to be honest, I’m not sure where he is driving us to until we are just a few moments from my apartment building, and he pulls the Audi into the visitor’s parking spot.

“Can I at least come up with you to make sure he isn’t waiting inside? And then I’ll leave. As long as you promise to tell the security at the front desk that no one is allowed up to your apartment, including your father.” Obviously, Flynn is not letting the concern about my father rest.

“Including you?” I tease, trying to break the tension with a little humor, but it’s not working.

“Not a chance, I need to be able to get to you if you need me. So, you can try to put me on your exclusion list, but nobody would hold me back. I’m going to respect you and stay away, but don’t be stupid and put yourself in danger. Promise me.” The way he is looking at me now is almost a plea to give him this one request.

“Okay.” Leaning across the car, I take his face between my hands and give him the softest kiss on the lips, resting my forehead on his and just staying in the moment.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

After we spoke to the security at the front desk and Flynn escorted me upstairs, satisfied that I was okay, he reluctantly left me on my own.

I ignored calls from my father, messaged Harper that I wanted to be left alone unless it was urgent, and then called my mother. She wasn’t happy about everything that has happened overnight and wanted to come over and make sure I was alright. It took a while, but I assured her that I’m coping and the best thing she could do for me was to just give me a night alone to gather my thoughts.

I drowned my worries and let the tears run in a long hot bath. After, I curled into a ball in my dressing gown on my bed for a few hours, just staring into nothing, and eventually fell into a restless nap. Which is so unlike me, I never sleep during the day, but the mental strain of the last few days has just taken every bit of energy I had. Waking, I knew I had to get up and do something. I’ve given myself time to wallow in my own misery, and now it’s time to pull myself together and get on with it.

It was so tempting to call or message Flynn, but I made the stand that I needed time on my own, so I’m not backing down.

Instead, I head into my home office. Probably not the smartest thing to do, but throwing myself into work always helps me switch off my personal life.

Regardless that it is the weekend, there is always work to be done. Opening my email, as usual they stream up the screen in front of me. I filter them to the ones marked with the red urgent mark, and there are a few from Harper, and then there are two that make my skin crawl.

The one from Fulton Anderson I just delete without opening, but the one from my father I figure I may as well get over the inevitable tirade that will be enclosed.

But instead, it’s not at all what I was expecting.

Sender: Lord Ewan Kentwall

To: Lady Felisha Kentwall

Dear Felisha,

Thank you for your information today on the phone. We will need to discuss this further, and I ask that you take no further action or announce this to anyone until I return.

I am on my way to the airport to fly out to Switzerland as you couldn’t go and complete the job required.

I have concerns on your future ability to run the business if you keep pulling out of important meetings like this.

I have scheduled a meeting with you on Saturday upon my return. Please make sure you attend.

Father

Lord Ewan Kentwall

Kentwall Estates

“Oh my God, this man is delusional” I can’t even wrap my head around how he is acting. I was expecting him to turn up here or to keep calling and demanding I come to him. But of course, he would never say what he really thinks about Flynn and me being together in front of Flynn, I’m the only one who had the pleasure of that on the phone earlier. And now looking back, I’m sure my mother was subject to plenty of these kinds of rants over the years too, but she managed to protect me from it.

“Well, at least I don’t have to deal with him this week.” Sitting back in my office chair, I wonder what alternative universe I’m in. But I’m also struggling to work out why he would go to Switzerland. Nothing is urgent enough that it needed him to go. My head hurts from trying to work out another mystery.

After sitting and staring at the email for a few minutes, I decide it’s time to go to bed and just close my eyes.

The fear of my father turning up here is now gone, and suddenly, it’s like the adrenaline has left my body and the sheer exhaustion has set in.

Sending a message to Flynn and Harper that I’m fine and going to bed so they won’t worry, I strip off my dressing gown and pull back the covers, slipping under the covers with my silk nightgown sliding on my skin as I get comfortable. Looking up at the ceiling, I start to think about Cherie’s offer today and what I should do about it, but sleep is claiming my body, and I’m so tired I’m not going to fight it.

I need the energy to face work tomorrow.

FLYNN

I’m still perplexed as to the way old man Kentwall reacted to Felisha’s revelation about the two of us, and especially since it was off the back of the uproar he had about Fulton.

Something is just not right with this man, and I can’t wait to finally unravel it all and go head-to-head with him.

He was screaming down the phone to Felisha one minute on Sunday, and then the next minute, he is flying out to Switzerland on an unplanned trip.

But to be honest, I don’t have time to be worrying about Ewan this week. As long as he isn’t here being an ass to Felisha then I don’t give a fuck about him.

I hated being away from Felisha on Sunday night, but she needed the time to herself, and to be honest, I probably needed it too. To calm down, to organize my thoughts, and get the clear mind I need to get this thing sorted once and for all.

But she couldn’t keep me away for much longer. Monday night she slept in my arms in my bed, and I have never felt more settled. Having her with me, in my home, and where I can remind her how cherished she is.

Tuesday night her mother insisted on meeting me, and although it was awkward for a moment, that’s all it was. I can see where Felisha gets her beauty and her strength from. Knowing the story of how Ewan treated her when they were married, she grew as a woman and never let him have that power over her again. And at the same time teaching her daughter that no one should ever push you down like her father did. I’m grateful for her mother and the guts it took to leave her father and branch out into the world on her own.

Although money was never going to be an issue, she still had to face the stigma of being a divorced woman, and knowing what I know now about Ewan, I doubt he made it easy on her. The stories he would have spread and the harsh words could have been enough for her to hide in society or move somewhere else to live a life where she didn’t have to see him all the time. Instead, she stood tall and proud of herself and now lives her life doing good things with her charity work and watching over her daughter.

Hence the demand to meet me in person and give me the threatening talk of what she would do if I hurt her daughter and to make sure I understood that Felisha doesn’t need me in any way. That Felisha chooses me to be in her life and can take away that choice at any time. I have to earn the right to be her partner.

I assured her I plan on doing that every single day.

The rest of the night was fun as we ate the meal I cooked and sat around laughing at different stories she shared from when Felisha was growing up. Much to Felisha’s dismay. Surprisingly, I shared a few of my own embarrassing stories with both women, and that’s not something I would normally do. I have always put the smoke screen up of being the cocky man who thinks he has no faults, when really, underneath it all, every day I struggle to make sure I don’t disappoint the people who are important to me.

For the few hours that she was in my home, it felt so relaxed and as if none of us had a care in the world. If only we could stay in that bubble for a while, but reality has a way of creeping back in the moment you open your eyes the next morning to face the world.

Since then, the last few days have been filled with work and meetings with the other shareholders, trying to convince them to sell to me. I only have one more to meet with, and the rest I’m certain I have secured—except for Luchia Bianchi.

She is making me wait, and I don’t like it.

Either she is going to side with me or not, surely, she can make that decision.

If she isn’t prepared to sell to me, then I’ll deal with that and work on my next strategy to convince her it’s a good idea, even when she is hesitant. What that strategy is I don’t know, but I’ll come up with something if I must.

My worry is that she might tell me that she’s going to sell to whoever that other person was that approached her. That can’t happen, and I swear I will get out of her who it is and hunt them down.

I’m done waiting, and it’s time to take matters into my own hands and call her.

“Mr. Taylor, feeling a little impatient, are we?” Luchia’s voice in my ear makes me a little apprehensive which is not like me. I have been working in this high-tension world for a while now, and I’m usually calm and smooth in all my dealings, but not this time. It’s because it’s personal.

But I can’t let her sense how unstable I feel.

“Mrs. Bianchi, good morning. How are you doing today?” I ignore her comment, hoping she moves on.

But she is a smart, savvy businesswoman, and she can sense that I’m anxious for her answer.

“Come now, I told you to call me Luchia, and you can cut the small talk, we are well past that.”

“As long as you call me Flynn then we have a deal.” I need to have her on my side and relaxed into the conversation.

“Well, Flynn, what can I do for you? Because neither of us have time for small talk.”

She’s going to make me beg, and I’m not above that when it comes to something this important for the woman I’m in love with.

“I love a straight-talking woman, but I also know you already know why I’m calling. I have the contracts ready to email for you to transfer your ownership to me. I just need you to agree and the deal is done.” If I’ve learned one thing over the last few years since stepping into the corporate role, you are better to negotiate from a position that the deal is already happening than trying to convince them to consider your offer. I have seen Nic in action, and he is the best steamroller of people without them even realizing that is what he is doing.

“So, you feel this is a done deal?” Luchia asks

“Yes. I know you can see how important this is that Felisha gets control of her company. Surely you agree that Ewan is not the kind of man that should be running that business anymore. I understand it may have been a good investment for you, but those shares have a tainted history, and it is morally the right thing to do to have them return to the rightful heir. Let me make that happen.” I won’t come straight out and tell her that I suspect her husband was part of the gambling scene that Ewan is seemingly deeply invested in. But instead, I’m appealing to her sense of what is right and wrong. “If this was your daughter, you would want to see her succeed and not be kneecapped by her father because she is a woman. “

And right there with those words, I know I have her when there is the slightest gasp in her voice.

“I have watched her from the sidelines for years as she has grown up in this business. She may be a… what is that word they use now… nepo baby, yes, that’s it. But Felisha has earned her spot as the second-in-charge of that business, through hard work, determination and talent. If his main reason is to try to stop her taking her rightful place just because she is a woman, then he is even more stupid than I thought.” She takes a moment then she continues with the words I wanted to hear.

“Email me the papers now. I will have them checked over by my lawyer and have them signed and back to you by the end of the day. But I need to warn you the other shareholders won’t care about that. If anything, it will go against your proposal. These men are all cut from the same cloth, and it’s dirty, rough, and not of good quality.” Where we were talking on a friendly manner up until now, Luchia’s tone has changed, and the seriousness tells me she means business with her words.

I don’t want to disrespect her by sweet talking, instead being as blunt in my reply as she is.

“Thank you, Luchia. I know who I’m dealing with, and that is another reason I want to clear her business of this trash before she takes over. I’m sure she would have enjoyed working with you, but she deserves to take over a company with no hidden baggage.” What started as a plan B to make sure Ewan couldn’t have Felisha removed from the company has become so much more. I want to see her succeed and make her mark in her own way. And she doesn’t need my help to do it, but if I can make it easier for her, I will.

“She is lucky to have you, Flynn, but like I told you before. You need to be upfront with her. Women aren’t good with secrets or surprises. We will tell you we want that, but deep down, we hate not knowing what’s going on. But you choose your path.” I can tell she is trying to get me to take her advice on board, and I wish my logical brain was listening. Because I have a feeling she’s right, although I’m still forging ahead with my current plan.

“Noted, and I’ll think about it, but right now I just need you to sign the contracts, and we will transfer the money over.” My brain is already moving forward to the next meeting with the final shareholder and chasing up the signed contracts from the others I have already spoken to.

“Understood.” And I know she does. “And Flynn… good luck.” The way she says it, I know I’m going to need all the luck in the world to get this finalized, so I’ll take what I can get.

“Can I ask one more question before I go?” I know I’m pushing my luck here, but I’m dying to know who else is trying to buy the stocks, and there’s no harm in asking.

“Before you ask, I don’t discuss private conversations with others. So, the answer is no.” A definite tone in her voice tells me not to bother trying to continue the conversation.

“It was worth a try, but I admire your ethics.” And I do. If I was in the same situation, I wouldn’t disclose the other person’s identity either.

“All I will tell you is that I wouldn’t have sold to him.” Her voice is firm, and I get the vibe that whoever it is, she doesn’t think much of them. “I will await your email. Goodbye, Flynn.”

“Thank you, Luchia, and I’ll send it now.” Ending the call, I can’t help but feeling apprehensive about the other man out there trying to complicate Felisha’s world. But I can’t waste energy on that. There is too much happening around me with work, chasing up the other shareholders, and the last meeting to secure the final ownership we need.

The door to my office is pushed open in a rush, and looking up, I see Forrest storming into the room.

“I can’t believe you are letting her do this. You should be stopping her,” he says with a raised voice and the face of a man who is about to explode.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I glare at his over-the-top carry-on.

“Felisha,” he yells at me, and straight away, the hairs on my arms are raising because I have no idea what he is going on about.

“She said yes to Cherie. It’s too dangerous and will achieve nothing. You need to stop your girlfriend from being so fucking stupid. Cherie isn’t listening to me, and it’s not like I have much pull over what she wants to do in life anyway.” Forrest is now standing in front of my desk, hands by his side with his fists clenched and the look of a raging bull on his face.

But his words that I need to control my girlfriend are enough to have me slowly pushing my chair back from my desk and standing, looking him straight in the eye.

“You want to think very carefully before you continue this conversation. You might be my brother, but you say one more word about my girlfriend and I will deck you.” The strangest thing about this whole conversation is that this is the first time I have called Felisha my girlfriend out loud, and fuck, it feels good.

“Oh my God, use your brain and stop thinking with your dick for once,” Forrest replies as Nic and Rem both walk into my office with stern looks at the shouting.

But it’s too late, I’m already moving around the side of my desk and have Forrest by the shirt, pushing him toward the wall.

Luckily for Forrest there is backup, and we are ripped apart from each other, Nic’s hands on my biceps pulling me back so hard I stumble and fall into his chest.

“I warned him, and he went there anyway. What the fuck have you got against Felisha?” I’m almost growling at Forrest as Rem is holding him on the other side of the room.

“Nothing!” he yells at me.

“Then what the hell are you so worked up about this for? It has nothing to do with you.” I turn and give a death stare to Nic. “Let me go.” I have so much pent-up anger that I can’t stand still.

“Are you going to hit him?” Nic is looking at me like my father when Forrest and I used to fight as teenagers.

“No,” I grumble.

“Good, because I don’t want to have to fire anyone today. So, sit the fuck down and let’s sort this out.” Nic releases me, and I look at Forrest again.

“Not until he tells me why he is so invested in my girlfriend’s life.”

“God, you are so stupid sometimes. This has nothing to do with Felisha,” Forrest grunts back at me.

“Oh, look, he is worried about his baby brother.” Rem is trying to defuse the hostility in the room with humor which is usually my role. But just like when I try to do it, it doesn’t work this time either.

“I couldn’t give a damn about this dickhead, he makes his own messes and can clean them up himself.” Forrest is now looking me straight in the eye, and I know he doesn’t mean one word of that because he has been right beside me, since the moment I got the initial email about the sex video.

“I call bullshit. What is it?” And that’s the moment I see his shoulders sag slightly, and the aggression that was directed at me leaves him.

“I don’t want Cherie to get hurt. And I can’t be there to keep her safe.” He looks down, away from my gaze.

And there it is.

My brother has feelings for her, and he doesn’t know what to do with them.

Rem shakes his head. “I’m just going to say one thing. If you think you need to protect Cherie, then you don’t know her well enough. And if I were you, I would never say that to her face.” Rem, who is her best friend, makes it clear that she is not the kind of woman you play the alpha male to.

“I know, I found that out the hard way,” Forrest replies, and all we can do is start laughing at the lost puppy in my office.

While we all sit so we can talk about this, in the back of my head part of me is hurt that Felisha hasn’t told me her decision and I’m finding out from my brother.

Guess that will be my next phone call.