Chapter 21 Amenable Way
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
AMENABLE WAY
Harlow
Iremember the day I got the call that Dad was rushed to the hospital.
It was just over seven months ago.
Just a few weeks before I met Albert.
I was on my way to the airport to take the Stonebridge Capital plane back to New York. There had been a hurricane ravaged area, and the foundation was helping in any way we could.
Dad hadn’t been feeling well for a few weeks. The last time I talked to him, I made him promise me he’d make an appointment with his doctor.
Like so many times before, that promise ended up being empty. He was too busy, too distracted, and too consumed by his empire.
This wasn’t anything new.
He built this business from the ground up and preached to me the weight of his obligations, not only to shareholders, but his own employees.
Stonebridge has never gone through layoffs.
Dad said that scenario kept him up at night.
His employees worked hard for him, and in his words, he would make damn sure their jobs were safe and sound.
And he did just that. He worked so hard, he collapsed.
From exhaustion? A rare disease? Stress?
No one knew.
What we did know was that his body was not able to keep up with his ambition.
That was the last time we spoke, and the last time I saw my dad awake and responsive. I was devastated and wouldn’t leave his side. I was listed as his medical power of attorney. He wanted it that way.
But in the thick of things, Janie made the argument that I wasn’t emotionally capable of making decisions, and the best way to honor him and my mom was to continue to focus on the foundation while the doctors worked to figure out what was wrong and make him healthy again.
And since Janie doesn’t work, not a day in her life, it made sense at the time. She promised me the power of attorney was on paper only, and that she would keep me in the loop for all decisions made.
Dad never woke up.
Janie lied and cut me out.
And I’ll never forgive myself for giving up that control.
It didn’t make sense, and the doctors had no answers. When Janie insisted on moving him home to be treated by a private team of physicians, I thought I was going to lose my mind. Money can buy you the best care, but when the so-called best care is based on Janie’s sole opinion, I had enough.
When I learned of Albert’s horrid plan for me, I not only decided to take my life back, but my father’s too. If it meant kidnapping him from his own home and out from under his wife’s questionable medical choices, I would do it.
Revenge...
The way I see it, it can be served up two ways.
Sour and hateful, with a side of spite that never heals.
Or it can be a thing of beauty.
That’s what I’m choosing. A beautiful revenge to give myself and my father the second chance we deserve.
Janie’s ass hits the sofa and her face falls into her hands. “He’s dead. I can’t believe he’s dead.”
I study her. She’s not angry, sobbing, or even in shock. Her shoulders sag in a way that makes my play more satisfying than I ever imagined. I’ve fantasized about this moment for weeks. I prayed it would come to fruition.
But in all my dreams, I never thought it would feel this good.
Devon cups the side of my face to comfort me. “I’m so sorry, baby.”
I shake my head and smile through tears that are a balm to my soul. “He’s not dead.”
Devon’s eyes widen, but what gets my attention the most is Janie’s shocked tone. “He’s alive?”
Yes, she’s shocked, and not relieved.
I look down at her sitting on the sofa. “My father is very much alive, Janie.” I can’t help but bite her name in contempt.
“Not only is he alive, but he’s conscious.
He’s even said a few words here and there.
They’re weak, but they would be since you had him intubated for so long.
The doctors said he may need some speech therapy to strengthen his vocal cords if they don’t improve over the next few days. ”
Devon’s hold on me tightens. “That’s the best news, baby.”
I look up at him and smile. “It is. I can’t wait to see him.”
“He’s alive,” Janie repeats, like she’s chanting it to herself because she doesn’t believe it’s possible. She looks up at me in disbelief. “He’s awake? You’re sure?”
I turn my gaze to Devon and lift up on my bare toes.
He senses what I want and meets me for a chaste kiss.
When my flat feet hit solid ground again, I look up at him.
“Thank you for everything. I have very few people I can trust right now. I hope you know how much everything you’ve done means to me. ”
Devon’s fingers bite into my hips, and he narrows his eyes. “Why do I not like the sound of that?”
“Because I need to ask you for another favor.”
I feel his exhale since we’re pressed chest to chest. “I think I’ve proven I’ll do anything for you.”
“I need you to kick my stepmother off your property and not allow her back. I know she’s the least enjoyable person to deal with. I’m sorry.”
He releases a chuckle. “That’s no skin off my back, baby. I’ll gladly do that for you and the rest of us.”
Janie shoots to her feet. “Watch it, Harlow! You’re on thin ice as it is after moving your father without my permission. We just learned that Patrick is awake. We need to go to him and decide what to do next.”
I turn to Janie but lean against Devon’s chest. “You really have lost it if you think I’m going to tell you where my father is.
Let me explain what’s going to happen. Devon is going to escort you off his property.
You’ve caused enough problems here—don’t ever come back.
I can’t tell you what to do next, but if I were you, I’d find an attorney. ”
“Why would I need an attorney?” she exclaims, affronted. “I’ve done nothing wrong!”
I tip my head. “You may want to rethink that. And don’t think about contacting the legal team at Stonebridge.
Chrissie is making calls as we speak. No one within the corporation is to speak to you.
Good luck getting anyone in the state of New York to even take your call.
Every major player has a connection to my dad. ”
Janie takes a step toward us, and Devon’s hold on me tightens. “Don’t threaten me, Harlow.”
I smile. “I’m not threatening you. I’m giving you decent advice but do what you want.
If you want to wait until you’re charged with.
..” I pause and watch my words physically sink in as panic bleeds through her features.
“Attempted murder? Tampering with medical records?” I shrug.
“I’m no prosecutor, but whatever charges they drum up, you should be prepared. ”
She shakes her head slowly and repeats, “No. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Devon shifts me and tucks me to his side. “You can say that all day long, but not on my property. And don’t ever treat my employees like that again. It didn’t work out for Harlow’s ex either.” Devon leans down and presses his lips to my forehead. “I’ll be right back, baby.”
My smile is small and pure relief floods me. “Thank you. I’ll be here. I need to call Chrissie so I can plan his next course of treatment with his new medical team.”
Janie finally realizes the trouble she’s facing. “Please, Harlow. We want the same thing, the best care for Patrick. I love him so much. Don’t do this to me!”
Devon goes to the door and holds it open for her, but she doesn’t move.
She continues to beg. “Harlow, please! We’ve been a family for years. Don’t tear us apart!”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this since you always think of yourself before others, but you really do need to think about yourself. I’m telling you this because I’m not a monster like you. When you get home, you’re not going to have any friends.”
Tears form in her eyes, and this time they’re real, even if they aren’t for my dad or our family.
Janie is in a deep pile of shit.
But I don’t care what she does next.
My father is alive.
He’s awake.
And Chrissie says he’s talking.
Devon
“If I’m not here, call Sheriff Moretti. Janie Madison is on the banned list.”
Felicity looks up at me with wide eyes. “We have a banned list?”
I drag a hand through my hair anxious to get back to Harlow. “We do now.”
“Oh my, oh my.” Felicity nibbles at her thumbnail as she lets that soak in. “We didn’t have a banned list at the mortuary. But then again, our clientele was never a problem.”
I narrow my eyes. “Yeah. Dead people have an amenable way about them.”
“Well.” She drops her hands to her sides and straightens her spine like she’s talking herself into not running back to plan funerals and wakes. “I still prefer working for you. I’m looking forward to our little chat about the event coordinator position.”
I glance at my watch. It took longer than I planned to kick Janie off the property.
She begged me to convince Harlow to talk to her.
Then she begged me to talk some sense into her stepdaughter.
I gave the woman more warnings than she deserved and sent her on her way.
I’m sure she’s back at our small local airport waiting for her plane to take off.
“About the position, do you have any questions about what it entails? I think by now, you realize that we all have to kick in to help in areas that aren’t our own when needed—”
“Like when there’s a shooting?”
“Yes, like a shooting,” I deadpan. “I do not plan on there being another one of those, but you get the drift. The position pays thirty percent more than your job at the front desk. What do you say?”
Her eyes light up, and I think she finally put flying bullets out of her mind. “You’re offering me the job?”
“I am. Feel free to take a day to think on it.”
She clasps her hands at her heart and performs a miniature hop in her low, wide heeled sandals and purple dress. “Think on it? Not a chance! Thank you, Mr. Donnelly. You won’t be sorry. I’ll make you proud and I promise not to have sex with anyone on the staff.”
I put a hand out to give her my palm. “Let’s let that be the only time you make that promise.”