Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
SALVATORE
The boardroom boasts a similar view to my office, and I find myself staring out the window, lost in my head.
The board members—the ones I rallied together after taking ownership of the team—are discussing the legal ramification of us suing the former owner over the release of his book.
It’s an important discussion that I should be paying attention to, and yet, I’m acting like a brat that inherited a business while knowing nothing about business in general, letting them handle the tough decisions.
“Does that sound like a good compromise, Sal?”
Fuck if I know. “As long as it keeps the team out of the spotlight, I’m happy.”
Bryan, two-time Super Bowl champion for the Storm—who played when I was a kid—eyes me suspiciously.
I recruited him for the board after hearing how much he’s supported the team over the years.
At first, I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t already on the board since he was a brilliant businessman in his own right before he retired.
But after looking into the team’s finances, I knew.
Gregory didn’t want brilliant businessmen or women on his board.
He wanted yes people, or those that didn’t look too closely at the bullshit he was pulling behind their backs.
“Sorry, Bryan. As you know, my daughter got married yesterday, and her husband’s mother collapsed during the reception. I’ve been a little preoccupied, but I’m with you.”
Megan, one of my board members from New York, gasps from the video screen, her hand flying to her face. “I’m so sorry, Sal. Is she okay?”
“She’s in the hospital, but she’s doing well.” Guilt eats away at me. I’m worried about Rochelle; that’s not a lie. Only, it’s Keeley that has me distracted.
I messaged her last night to make sure she got home safe—despite the fact that I may have had Jeffrey follow her so I could see it for myself—and her reply was curt.
She’d texted, “I’m inside. Talk soon.”
Talk soon? I didn’t want to talk soon. I wanted to talk that second, to beg her to tell me where we go from here, because I’m at a loss.
Easton may be pissed, but Paige seems to be okay with us. And when is Easton not shitty about something? It’s out there now, so I figure if I talk to him about it, man-to-man, I might be able to make him accept us.
But does Keeley want that?
I thought she did, until her complete one-eighty at the end of the night.
And I’m unraveling again. God-fucking-dammit.
“Can you please run through the plan again, Bryan? I’m all ears. Let’s ensure that asshole gets all that he deserves.”
We discuss attempting a cease and desist order, despite the fact that I don’t think it will work considering he doesn’t name anyone specifically, and by the time I get back to my office after two hours, I’m done.
I’ve just sat down when my phone rings, making me groan until I see that it’s Paige.
“Paige. Hi,” I rush out, answering as though I’m desperate to speak to her. Probably because I am. She may have been okay when I said goodbye last night, but that doesn’t mean she’s not pissed off with me now that she’s had time to think about it all.
“Hi, Dad. How are you?”
“Better now. I’ve been wanting to call you all morning, only I wasn’t sure it was a good idea.”
“Easton’s visiting Rochelle.”
“How is she?”
“She’s good. He just texted to say he’s taking her home.”
I sigh in relief, a little of the tension releasing from my shoulders. “That’s good. How are you?”
“I’m good too. My feet are killing me from dancing, but I’m happy.”
Happy is good.
“What a night. It didn’t end the way any of us would have expected, but it was a beautiful wedding, Paige.”
“It was beautiful, wasn’t it? Though, I feel awful thinking about it. It was nice to have everyone together and enjoy themselves before…” She trails off and my heart breaks for her.
“You’re allowed to be happy, Paige. You just got married. Fuck… my baby just got married.” I groan jokingly and Paige laughs, as I hoped she would.
“That’s right. It happened. Despite having such poor role models when it comes to relationships.”
I relax at her teasing tone, hoping that means she still feels the same as she did last night.
“I’m happy you were able to see past our mistakes. I’m proud of you, Paige.”
“For getting married?”
“No. For the incredible woman and mother you’ve become.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’m not sure I would have chosen this path if I hadn’t found Easton and Isaac, but I’ve never been happier.”
And there’s the perfect segue…
“Speaking of Easton… How is he?”
Paige laughs, and I shudder at the sound, anticipating what’s coming. “Depends on what you’re asking.”
“You know what I’m asking.”
“He’s…processing. He knew the two of you were friends, but I guess he hadn’t seen what the rest of us had.”
The what? “What did you see?”
“The way you look at each other. I’ve been waiting for one of you to admit something was going on. I just didn’t expect it to be so public.”
“It’s not like we kissed in the middle of the dance floor.”
“Oh, I know.” Her laughter softens, and I wish I was there to have this discussion in person. Until she adds, “It was way more intimate than that.”
“Shit.”
“Don’t stress about it. Easton will come around.”
“There’s nothing to come around to.” Not yet.
“Okay, Dad. Keep telling yourself that.”
“Thanks, I will.”
“God, you’re hopeless. Talk to her.”
“I’ve gotta go. I’ve got a call waiting.”
“And you wonder how I knew you had feelings for Keeley. You’re the worst liar.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Daaad.”
“Okay. Okay. What can I do to help with Easton? Do you think I should talk to him?”
“Only if you have a death wish.”
“Jesus.” I mouth the word fuck and run a hand through my hair, blowing out a breath.
“I’m kidding. Talking to him is a good idea. Just give him a couple of days to cool off.”
“A couple of days. Got it.”
Paige giggles while I close my eyes. “Will you be home later today?” she asks, making me perk up.
“I will.”
“Good. I can bring Isaac around if you like?”
“I’d love that. I’m heading home in the next hour.”
“Good. I’ll see you later on.”
“Thanks, Paige.”
“Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, Kid.”
I hang up and blow out another breath before collapsing into my desk chair and staring at my computer screen for the next twenty minutes.
When it’s apparent I’m not going to get anything done, I call Jeffrey to come and pick me up, deciding to call Keeley on the way.
After settling in the back seat, my finger hovers over her name, contemplating driving over there instead, when my phone starts ringing.
“Daniel, is everything okay?”
My chief operating officer sighs loudly, and I preemptively close my eyes, preparing for the bad news undoubtedly coming my way.
“We’re being shut down for unsafe practices on the Chamberland site.
We have to stop work until the New York City Department of Buildings has conducted a full investigation. ”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. In my twenty years of business, we have never even come close to a violation, let alone unsafe practices. Do you know who reported us? Have you spoken to Lyle?”
Lyle’s our project manager on the Chamberland project and our most trustworthy employee. There is no way he’d let that happen.
“We don’t know. But Lyle’s taking the blame. He said he hired two new staff recently and caught them having secret talks on a few occasions, despite claiming they didn’t know each other. The only reason he’s not convinced it was them is because they turned up for work this morning.”
Alarm bells ring in my mind, and I pray that I’m wrong. “When did he hire them?”
Daniel falls silent for a beat before cursing under his breath. “A few days before the fire at the Toddville site.”
“Fuuck. Not that I ever questioned it, but this isn’t Lyle’s fault. It’s mine. I’m on my way.”
“You don’t have to come here. I didn’t call you for that.”
“I know you didn’t. I have to put a stop to this.”
“How?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
After ending the call, I stare out the window, trying to remain calm while inside I’m fuming. Unsafe work practices? Bull-fucking-shit. I hate to think it, but Camilla may have been right. We’re being targeting by the fucking Mikklesons. It has to be.
The second Jeffrey pulls up to the curb by my building, I’m out of the car, waving him off when he steps out to open my door, beating him to it. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes; can you please wait? I need to get to the airport fast.”
“Of course. I’ll be here.”
I thank him as I run inside, and I’ve just made it to the lobby when Easton steps out of the elevator, his eyes wide when he spots me.
Just what I need.
I force a grin as he walks closer, silently cursing the world for putting him in my path.
“Easton.” I nod when he reaches me, hoping he’ll nod back and be on his way.
We have to talk. I know that. This isn’t the best way to begin our new life as official in-laws, but as Paige said, today is not the day.
He’s still processing, and I’m so worked up I’m likely to say something I regret, and that’s not helpful for anyone.
“I didn’t plan on running into you. But since you’re here…” He trails off and I almost groan.
“We have to clear the air, I know. For Paige and Keeley’s sake, but?—”
“No buts,” Easton cuts me off, and I pause momentarily before pleading my case.
“I’m not trying to get out of this, I just?—”
“Have you thought about how a future with Keeley would look?” He talks over me again and I suck in a breath, remaining calm.
A less patient man might have told him to stop being a dick.
Not me though. Because I can’t deny that he makes a valid point, and I appreciate the fact that he’s looking after his sister.
“Yes, I’ve thought about it. A lot. The thing is…Keeley and I aren’t officially together, Easton. We’re?—”
“So, you’ve spoken about kids and marriage?” This time when he interrupts me, I pause for an entirely different reason, feeling nauseous as he throws my biggest concern back in my face. “She’s thirty-three. She has her whole fucking life ahead of her.”
“Do you think I don’t know that? Do you seriously think that I’d fuck around with your sister, my daughter’s best friend, my colleague without thinking about the consequences?”
“She’s not your colleague. You’re her boss. How’s that going to look? Half the football team was there last night.”
“I was consoling a friend.”
“Really? A friend?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I was doing.”
“If that’s true, then as her friend, I want you to pretend you just found out she was falling for a man twenty years older than her. What advice would you give?”
His words hit me like a blow to the stomach, and I physically wince.
“Paige seems to think you’re in love with her,” he continues, and this time it’s more like a knife, the pang in my middle excruciating. “If that’s true, then please, I beg you, think about her future and what she’d be giving up if things progressed between you.”
He twists the knife, cutting me deeper, and it makes me want to vomit.
“You’re a good brother, Easton.” I smile through the pain.
“I understand you’re trying to protect Keeley, I do.
I want to protect her too. But Keeley’s a strong woman who has never let anyone make decisions for her.
We have to trust that if she wants a relationship with anyone, she knows what she’s doing. ”
I hope. Though I’m not entirely convinced.
Easton stares at me for a beat before nodding his head and walking toward the front door, denying me a response to my passionate plea.
Does that nod mean he agrees, or that he’s decided us talking is a lost cause?
I stare after him, unable to move until my phone vibrates in my pocket, making me pause.
Fuuuck. I’m an asshole. I’m doing it again. Putting work over everything else.
At the worst possible time.
I shouldn’t be leaving without talking to Keeley.
But if I don’t go, how much further will the Mikklesons take this?