Chapter Six Cal #2
His smile falls a fraction of an inch. “That’s a shame. I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help make it a little better?”
I sit up taller in the chair. “As a matter of fact, there is.”
“What do you need?”
“I have a couple questions about my grandfather’s will, and I’m hoping you can clear them up.”
He places his fedora on his desk and leans back in his chair. “Like what?”
“I need to know who owns the lake house.”
“Sure. I can answer that for you. Just give me a second to find the file.” Leo walks over to the wall of filing cabinets and opens a top drawer. My heart rate speeds up as he flips through various files of information before making a confirmatory noise.
He returns to his desk holding on to a file with my name on it.
“According to the deed, you do.”
My lungs deflate from my heavy exhale. “That’s a relief because the person currently living there believes my grandfather left the house to her.”
Leo clasps his hands in front of him. “Well, that’s the tricky thing.”
My stomach drops.
No. Tell me he didn’t.
Leo continues with a smile, as if he isn’t about to shatter my world and any chance I have at selling the place. “Based on the most recent deed, you’re listed as a co-owner of the house along with a Miss Alana Castillo.”
Fucking hell. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m never going to be able to sell that house so long as Lana owns part of it.”
“About that…”
I hold my hand up. “Let me guess. I can’t buy her out of her percentage.”
His grin doesn’t falter. “Correct.”
“Of course.”
“Your grandfather was very specific about how both you and Ms. Castillo must agree on all legal matters regarding the property.”
“What if she doesn’t want to sell?”
“Then I would recommend both of you obtain legal counsel.”
I don’t have time to spare on speaking with Declan’s legal team, let alone waiting for Lana to find some representation.
Great.
My molars grind together. “Any other surprises I should be aware of before I head back to Lake Wisteria?”
He flips through the file, scanning pages of legal documents. “I think you’re all set. Just remember that any interference from your brothers regarding the sale of the property could have serious repercussions.”
Every one of my muscles turns rigid beneath my shirt. “What kind of repercussions?”
He shuts the file with a tight smile. “I think you have enough to worry about given your task. No need to add to that by discussing worst-case situations.”
“Could I lose my shares?” I blurt out.
“Let’s not let it come to that, shall we?”
Fuck.
I take one last sip from my flask before tucking it inside the inner pocket of my suit and opening the door to Declan’s office.
His panoramic view of the city is unmatched with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing for ample sunlight.
As much as I hate the Kane Company building, the views of Chicago are unparalleled.
My brother sits behind his desk, smashing away at his keyboard with enough force to make it slide forward. “Go away, Todd. I’m busy.”
“Seriously? Tim has been working here for months already, and you still don’t know his name?”
My brother’s head snaps in my direction. “What are you doing here?”
“I came back to clear a few things up with the will.”
His dark brows inch closer together. “And?”
I take the seat opposite him, across from his desk.
With a quick flick, I undo the button of my suit to give myself some breathing room.
Every time I visit the Kane corporate office, it’s always the same.
An oppressive pressure builds in my chest, forcing me to sip more from my flask than usual.
The office reminds me of my failure to live up to my last name and the expectations set forth because of who my family is.
It doesn’t matter.
I tap my fingers against my thighs. “You and Rowan need to stay far away from my task.”
“What do you mean?” He leans back in his chair.
“When I stopped by Leo’s office for the updated deed, he dropped a cryptic comment.”
“What did he say exactly?”
I repeat my conversation with Leo.
Declan rises and begins pacing, wearing a hole in the carpet. “What could he mean by interference?”
“I don’t know. When I tried to ask if it had anything to do with my shares, he shut down.”
“Shit.”
“My thought exactly.” The only reason I’m not panicking is because of the steady stream of vodka pumping throughout my system, giving me a false sense of calm.
He runs his hands through his dark hair, mussing the perfectly slicked-back strands. “Grandpa knew I would step in to help you.”
Probably because Declan has always cleaned up my messes ever since I was born. He couldn’t help suffering from an older sibling savior complex, nearly suffocating Rowan and me with his overprotectiveness.
“Whatever you do, don’t help.”
His brown eyes drop to the floor.
“Declan…”
He pulls out his phone, looking paler than usual. “I need to make a few calls.”
Declan’s footsteps quicken as he walks the length of his office.
“You had a buyer lined up already, didn’t you?” My teeth grind together.
“Yes.” His hand holding the phone tightens.
“Why?”
Why couldn’t you trust me to do one thing on my own? The real question lingers on the tip of my tongue.
His jaw clenches, making the vein near his temple throb. “Why else? It’s not like I was going to leave anything up to chance.”
“More like you didn’t want to leave anything up to me .”
He throws his free hand in the air. “Why would I? It’s not as if you’ve made any effort to complete your part of the will. Do you even care about fucking Rowan and me over?”
I bolt out of my chair. “With how little you think of me, maybe I should give up my shares and walk away from this whole damn thing with my dignity intact.”
He releases a bitter laugh. “Of course, that’s your first solution. I don’t know why I expected anything different from the guy who excels at failing.”
“Great dig, asshole. Did you pick that one up from Dad?”
Do you have an interest in being anything but a family failure? The memory of my dad laughing his drunk ass off takes center stage in my head; him shunning my need for a calculus tutor is quickly replaced by a darker memory.
Why am I not surprised that you couldn’t even succeed at hitting a block of rubber around —the harsh words my father shared during my post-op after I tore my ACL.
The only reason you’re on this company board is because your grandpa knew you wouldn’t amount to anything on your own. My father’s red-rimmed eyes flick over my seat in the conference room.
The one thing my father succeeded at was finding a hundred different ways to make me feel like a pathetic failure.
And now Declan…
Fuck him.
“Shit. Cal…” Declan’s glare softens.
Screw Declan for using my one weakness against me. It’s not like I don’t want to be better. To do better.
I just don’t know how.
I shoot him my fakest smile that makes his eye twitch. “No need to apologize, brother. It’s not like I didn’t spend my entire life hearing those same words time and time again.”
Declan’s words follow me long after I leave the Kane Company building, feeding off my insecurities like a parasite that can only be cured with a bottle of vodka.
You could get help again. My hand trembles as I pour myself a drink. Some of it spills from my jerky movement, soaking my hand and the surrounding area around the glass.
I shake my head, ignoring the voice in my head beckoning me to stop before I take the first sip.
Always a disappointment.
I pause as my lips touch the rim of the glass.
You’re better than this.
No. I’m really not.
I knock back the first drink with a few swallows before pouring myself a second glass. Declan tries to call me twice throughout the night. He even leaves a voicemail, which I delete right away because I’m too drunk to care.
Just how I like it.