Chapter 23 #2
I switched the discussion back to Storm. “If she’s so resilient, why did she leave town with her mother then after you dropped the bombshell?”
“She didn’t leave for that reason. Storm always goes to her aunt's house in Jacksonville when she needs to lick her wounds. My older sister is the only one who thinks Storm shouldn’t honor her duties or the promises she made.”
And now he’d lost me. “What promises?” Was this the stage where he told me they were all part of a cult or some shit like that? After the bizarre stuff that had gone down over the last few weeks, nothing was off the table.
Dominic paused, leaning back in his chair. “You remember what I said about family and how important it is to maintain strong relationships, or should I say ‘partnerships’ with the right people?”
“Yeah, I got that part, marriage and all that crap, so what?” I knew what he said wasn’t a total crock of shit. I was aware that arranged marriages were still popular in certain social circles, just not in any that I belonged to.
“Well. Storm is trying to break off her engagement, and I wouldn’t allow it.”
What the fuck?!
That made me sit up in my seat and almost drop my glass. Storm? Engaged?
“Storms engaged to be married? She’s nineteen?” The words in my head made it to my mouth.
“Yes. She’s been engaged for years, Phoenix,” he replied, calmly sipping from his glass.
“To whom?”
“To the son of a colleague and dear friend of mine. We were at Brown together. We’ve been in business for years.” He talked about his daughter's future like he was discussing the weather.
“Jasper is the perfect husband for Storm and will follow in his father’s footsteps. They’ve known each other since they were children, and whilst it is still a business match, they get on well as friends. It’s always been on the cards. Why are you so surprised?”
“She’s never said anything, not to me or my…” I almost said brother, meaning Reed, but changed that to “or her other friends.”
He shrugged. “It doesn’t surprise me. Storm has always been a private person.” Clearly.
I found it unbelievable that I had never even heard the name Jasper. It wasn’t one you would forget in a hurry.
“Over the last couple of years, Jasper has been at college in Connecticut, and so things have been long-distance, but not for much longer. He’s due to transfer to Epic Heights after the fall.”
To the same college as Reed. Oh dear. That will go down well.
“They’ve been surprisingly loyal to each other. That’s why she doesn’t date.”
And then I realized that I had never seen Storm out with a guy. Apart from Reed, who it appeared really was her dirty little secret. Sure, she flirted with men and made a false play for Hudson, but nothing serious.
“So, you told her she isn’t allowed to date?” I found that archaic, which was a surprise considering I could be a misogynistic motherfucker.
“No, that was her choice. I’m not an old-fashioned man, per se.
In all truth, I suggested that they sow their wild oats and get stuff out of their system before they got married, but they both agreed to wait for each other.
Everything was going smoothly, but ever since my and Rachel’s anniversary the other week, Storm’s been getting cold feet.
” ‘Wait for each other,’ did he mean sexually?
“Something to do with a boy at college,” he added.
And that boy was more than likely my foster brother. So, there was an area of my father's life where he was clueless. He talked about his daughter like she was a virgin. Storm Summers was about as pure as an edible fucking thong.
Engaged? She kept that one quiet. And then my thoughts shifted to Reed again.
Shit. Did he know? I really hoped he was just sleeping with her and emotions weren’t involved.
I felt a surge of anger. Some college boy?
Reed was the future poster boy for the NFL.
Dude was going places; Storm could do so much worse.
I couldn’t imagine her settling for a Jasper. What type of dumbass name was that? It wasn’t quite as bad as Cash, but it was up there if you were asking to be bullied your entire life.
My father was still talking about what was basically another arranged marriage, even though he tried to rationalize it.
He’d clearly not learnt from his own miserable experience.
“Anyway, it’s all part of continuing the Summers’ legacy.
We’re going off track. I know you’re not here to talk about Storm’s wedding plans. ”
You think?
“I would like to talk to you about how you fit in with that legacy.”
I was partly relieved he wanted to steer away from the subject of his betrothed child. Getting involved in Storm and Reed’s drama was even lower on my to-do list. The guy was big enough and ugly enough to look after himself. I needed to park that news for now.
I pushed to my feet as I saw the time on the wall. It was almost five, and I’d been there an hour. Looking down at him, I said. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m not sure I want to be part of any legacy. As you said, I don’t know you, we’re strangers.”
My father stood, facing me over his desk. “But it doesn’t have to be that way.”
My brow creased, “You’re saying you think we should get to know each other now, after all these years?”
Dominic flicked off a piece of lint from the sleeve of his suit jacket before looking me in the eye. “Why not. It happens all the time.”
Yes, in a dodgy Netflix movie.
“What about your image. Having a bastard son isn’t going to shoot you up the old polls or whatever the hell they are called.”
I could see he didn’t like me calling myself a bastard as he flinched. My eyes narrowed as he walked around his desk and came towards me. “I’ve thought about that over and over, and I don’t intend to hide you, Nix. I won’t deny who you are. That’s why I confessed everything to my family.”
“So, I’m not a dirty little secret then.”
“No. You’re my son.” As he said that, he placed his hand on my shoulder. We were so similar in build and met each other at the same height, almost like equals. That couldn’t have been further from the truth.
I hated that his words gave me hope. The drama I’d tried to get my head around over the last few weeks had been draining. “No, I’m a mistake, remember?” The truth tasted bitter in my mouth, but felt more realistic.
Lowering his hand, he shook his head. “No. That’s not true.
My blood runs in your veins, Phoenix. You’re strong and intelligent, and your past doesn’t define you.
It’s what you do with your future that counts.
Let me help you, let me make this right.
” I should have laughed in his face; his words were like one of those stupid quotes you read on Facebook that were supposed to be inspiring.
My eyes scanned his features. “Why did Luna call you dangerous?” I questioned.
Dominic adjusted his tie and said, “I have no idea. Luna wasn’t well before she ran away. Maybe she saw me as dangerous, but I never threatened her.”
I raised my eyebrows, “So, you’re not bent like the other politicians?”
A ghost of a smile passed his lips. “I run legitimate businesses, Phoenix. Yes, I don’t always follow the rules, but what powerful man does? If you don’t take risks, you don’t get results. Fact.”
From what I had heard around the rumour-mill, I knew this man and his office didn’t always play by the rules, but I had a feeling he wasn’t being entirely honest with me at that point, but did I care? Not really, he could have a sex tape out there, and it would have nothing to do with me.
I decided that no harm could come from getting to know him more, and if I didn’t like it, I would walk away. I had Ma, my brothers, including Alex, and then there was Harper. I didn’t need anyone else, really. Not even Storm.
The next hour was surreal. We both moved onto the sofas at the other side of the office, settling against the leather and discussing the past, talking mostly about football.
Dominic told me to call him Nic, which I hesitantly did. The alcohol had calmed me down, and like that time at the party when I first met the man in person, I liked him.
Did I like what he’d done? Fuck no. And could everything be fixed in one conversation? Again, that would be another big fat no, but over time… maybe?
Dominic also appeared genuinely interested in me. I told him all about my life with my brothers and Ma, and he seemed to listen. Not that active listening bullshit, which Micha did, my father was all ears.
We carried on talking well into the evening to the point where I’d had too much alcohol to drive legally. Although that was a joke, considering I didn’t even have a licence. Oops, alcohol does loosen the tongue.
Even the sandwiches, my father had ordered his chef to arrange, had not soaked up the booze.
I also couldn’t find my cell to message Reed about the Jeep.
I had suggested an Uber, but my father had invited me to use one of the guestrooms so we could talk again in the morning.
I was laced and didn’t put up much of a fight.
I didn’t tell him that I would give it a chance and see where things went. My father said that he would give me time to process everything and wouldn’t come on too strong. He also gave me his card with his private number.
Later that night, as I lay on top of the perfectly made floral bed in one of the mayor’s fancy bedrooms, Harper’s face was all I saw as I fell asleep, fully dressed, and totally bewildered.
* * * * *
In the morning, I felt as groggy as hell. The calming influence of the booze had worn off, and I knew I needed to get the Jeep back to Reed. Boy, he’d be pissed.
As I used the ensuite bathroom, I recalled the previous night and what my father had told me. The news about Storm was hazy at best, but I remembered the part about her being engaged. How could I forget that?
After taking a piss and splashing my face with water, I found my car keys and made my way out onto the landing.
The house was a maze of corridors, and I knew it would be rude to leave without saying goodbye, but I was desperate to get to Harper.
She would want to know where I’d been and would start to put two and two together, and come up with nine!
If she accused me of going to Courtney, I’d spank her insecure ass raw.
As I was making my way down the spiral staircase, I heard a woman talking on the phone. It was distorted due to the echo in the marbled lobby.
When I got to the bottom step, I was faced with Storm Summers, my nemesis, and more shockingly, my sister.
She had been talking on the phone with a smile on her face. Who was she talking to, Reed or her bow Jasper? She quickly ended the call and slid her cell into the pocket of her baggy jeans.
She looked thin and drawn.
I stopped and pushed my hands into my pockets, feeling as awkward as fuck.
“Well, if it isn’t my little brother,” she said.
I was surprised. Yes, there was a snarky element to her tone, but I’d expected her to say something so much worse.
I gave her a half smile and stepped forward, towering over her. “Less of the little,” I replied.
This woman and I shared the same blood, and that thought made me feel different towards her. I didn’t like the fact that she looked so unlike herself. Pale didn’t suit her.
Rocking back on my heels, I watched as she folded her arms across her chest.
“I hear congratulations are in order?” I said before I could stop myself.
“Don’t.”
As our gazes tangled and locked, I hoped she saw how deadly serious I was when I said. “You need to tell him.”
She visibly swallowed. Although no names had been mentioned, we both knew I was speaking about Reed as she replied. “I know.”
I raised my eyebrows and then went to walk away, but she stopped me by calling. “Phoenix.”
I swung back around and faced her. “I love him—as in, I’m in love with your stupid brother.”
It was the first piece of honesty I had heard from her lips in months. “I know,” I said, echoing her earlier words.
Storm took a deep breath and dropped her arms to her sides.
We shared a moment. There in the large grand lobby where she looked like she belonged, and I lifted out like a hungover sack of shit, but we both shared that one thing.
A parent.
“So where do we go from here?” she asked, taking a step forward.
“You mean with Reed, or with us?”
“With us.”
“I’m still getting my head around it. Could I suggest a truce—for now?”
She sniffed. “I’d like that.”
“And then maybe even friends?” I added with a raised brow.
Storm’s mouth curled into a half smile. “Let’s not push it.”
Holding back a chuckle, I dashed a hand across my face and then said. “Could you tell Dominic that I’ll be in touch?” I couldn’t bring myself to say father in front of her and rub more salt into the wound.
“Of course.”
“Thanks.” Reaching out, I placed a hand on her shoulder and said, “It’s going to be alright, you get that, don’t you?”
I didn’t know if either of us knew what I was referring to, but she seemed to take comfort in those words. “I hope so, Nix. I really do.”
After another squeeze, I pulled away and walked to the front door.
“Oh, Hudson and Molly were looking for you by the way.”
Turning back, I replied, “Really? Did they say what for?” No doubt they wondered where my sorry ass was at.
“Something to do with Harper?” she explained.
Sixth sense kicked in as I reached for the door and raced towards the car. I needed my cell, and I needed it fast.
As dread pooled in the pit of my stomach, I knew something was wrong.