Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Brennen
E ver since the night of the festival, Jos and I have fallen into a routine of spending evenings at my place. I’ve got an early flight in the morning to present Sophia’s new creation at a prestigious competition, so she’s heading back to her place.
“Wish me luck in Atlanta. Hopefully, this is going to turn things around for the winery.”
Joselyn rises up on her tiptoes and puts her arms around my neck. “I believe in you. And in Sophia’s abilities. You’re gonna do great.”
She seals her words with a kiss, my lips lingering on hers as long as I dare before saying the hell with it and hauling her upstairs to my bed. As she’s leaving, I hear her speaking with someone just outside the door. What the fuck? I hear the surprise in her voice as she greets the visitor. Ryan?
My mask immediately goes on, my face not giving anything away, as I watch him enter the living room for the first time in twenty-two years. Looking through the open front door, I can see his Indian motorcycle parked near the front porch. Seems we both have a thing for vintage rides.
“Nice bike,” I say dryly.
“Nice vineyard,” he replies, just as sharp.
I wave him in without a word. I knew this day was coming, I just didn’t know when. Even though my head has accepted that we need to reconcile, the fact that he’s now facing me in person brings back unpleasant memories like bile rising in my throat. The silence between us is thick and awkward. What does one say to the brother who walked out the door when we were just teenagers and never looked back?
“We need to talk,” he finally says.
“You think?” I shoot back, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Look, I know this is awkward?—”
I cut him off, my stubborn pride rearing its head. “Awkward? You show up out of nowhere, after years of nothing, and expect me to just roll out the red carpet?”
“I’m here to help, Brennen,” he answers. “Whether you like it or not.”
“Help?” I spit out a bitter laugh. Even though I’m fully aware I need it, it’s a tough pill to swallow. “You mean, swoop in and play the fucking hero? Save the vineyard because you suddenly decided it matters to you?”
“I’ve always cared,” he snaps back. “I’ve been keeping tabs—on you, on Emma, on this place. Just because I wasn’t here doesn’t mean I didn’t give a damn.”
Despite my earlier resolve to let him back in, the questions I’ve had for so many years come rushing out. “Then where the hell were you when things began falling apart? When I realized the crippling debt and bad business decisions dad left me?”
He’s silent for a moment, as if contemplating his words. “I couldn’t stay,” he says finally, his voice low. “Not after mom died…”
The memory of that day comes flooding back. It’s as gut-wrenching now as it was then. “They said it was suicide.”
Ryan’s response is swift. “I don’t care what they said. Mom would never have left us. Never. He killed her. I know he did.”
“And your answer to that was to leave us with a man you thought was a murderer?”
“He would never have touched you. The sheriff didn’t buy suicide as the cause of death, either. If I hadn’t left, I’d have killed my father. Maybe not that day, but some day. So, I joined the Navy and found some positive ways to channel my rage and need for control.”
He’s not the only one with a need for control. We just found different outlets. For him, it was the Navy, and for me it was shibari. But that’s a conversation for another time. Right now, I need to know what he’s planning. “How did you know about what’s going on here?”
“I have my ways, Bren. The fact is, Sapphire Development is Candace Prescott, and destroying my home is just a part of her master plan.”
If he knew all of that, why didn’t he warn us before now? Thanks, brother. “You mean your ex is responsible for this? You’re responsible for this ?”
“Well, I wouldn’t quite put it that way.”
“I sure as hell would. Do you think I’m an idiot and don’t know how dangerous she is to the vineyard?” Candace made that perfectly clear the day she rolled up to the front door and threatened our entire family.
“You don’t,” he says, his voice cold as ice. “Not like I do. She’s vindictive, Brennen. Calculating. She doesn’t just want the vineyard. She wants to bury our entire family—every single one of us—and if you let your pride get in the way, she’ll succeed.”
And he thinks I don’t know that? I glare at him, but remain silent before I say something I’ll regret.
“I’m not here to take over,” he continues. “I’m here to help. Whether you want me to or not. The vineyard belongs to you, me, and Emma. If push comes to shove, Emma and I can force you.”
“Arrogant bastard.”
“Undoubtedly, but we’re a lot stronger if it’s all three of us. Mom always said as long as we had each other…”
He’s right about that. But I’m not giving him the satisfaction. “You think she would have approved of what you did? What you didn’t do?”
“Not a chance. She’d have made the Navy give me up, write an apology letter to her, and dragged my sorry ass back here, but she wouldn’t have been thrilled with you, either. In fact, the only one she wouldn’t be pissed at is Emma.”
Another thing he’s right about. If I weren’t so angry at him right now, I’d have a laugh at the thought of our mother bringing high ranking naval officers to their knees.
Ryan doesn’t let up, continuing to push my buttons. “You really think you can handle this on your own? You’re drowning, Brennen. The vineyard’s falling apart, Candace is circling like a shark, and you’re just standing there, bleeding and waiting for her to take the first bite.”
I’m on the verge of snapping, my temper amping up to a boil as I step closer to my brother. “I don’t need your help.”
Ryan doesn’t back down, continuing to bait me. “Sure, you don’t. You didn’t need help when Dad ran the business into the ground. Didn’t need help when Candace set her sights on this place and you didn’t see it coming. Face it, Brennen, you’re in over your head.”
“Shut up, Ryan,” I growl.
“Or what?” He leans in further. “You’ll throw a punch? Go ahead. It might be the first decisive move you’ve made in years.”
That does it. My arm shoots out, my fist aiming for his face.
Ryan ducks. “Too slow,” he says with a smirk, taunting me.
“You arrogant son of a—” I keep swinging and he keeps ducking. I’m no match for my brother who was trained by the military’s best. Hell, he was the military’s best. That’s why it surprises the shit out of me when I actually land a punch, hitting him square in the jaw.
“Feel better now?”
As soon as I realize he let me get that hit in, my emotions run the gamut—from shock to anger and then resignation to the fact that as much as I hate to admit it, I do need my brother.
“You needed that,” he tells me. “And now, you’re going to listen to me. The only reason this place is in trouble is because of Dad’s stupid decisions and because Candace Prescott knows this is the one way she can hurt me. She doesn’t care about the vineyard, Brennen. She cares about revenge. You’re collateral damage in a fight you had no hand in creating and no idea you were playing.”
“You think I don’t understand what Candace is capable of? I’ve been dealing with the fallout while you were off playing soldier or businessman or whatever the hell you’ve been doing.”
“And that’s my mess to clean up,” he admits. “I’m not saying you’re wrong to be pissed at me. Hell, I’d be pissed, too. I should’ve been here. I wasn’t. That’s on me. But I’m here now, and I’m not letting her take this place without a fight.”
I don’t say anything for a long moment, simply watch him, trying to read my brother’s face for what he’s not saying. I nod in acknowledgement of his admission. Besides, we’re not going to solve over twenty years’ worth of problems tonight. I’ve got a flight to catch.
“Your room is still your room.” Before heading upstairs, I pause. There’s one more thing I need to say to my brother. Something that’s non-negotiable. I need to save something, protect something, just for myself. “But Ryan? The winery is mine, and you’re not welcome there. Goodnight.”
I just returned from Atlanta, and I can’t wait to share the fantastic news with Sophia, then celebrate with Joselyn. I stride into the fermentation room, prize in hand, startling Sophia.
“Brennen, what’s going on?”
"Sophia's Blend is a goddamned sensation—that's what's going on. You did it, Sophia. You fucking did it! We won first place and best overall white wine in the East."
I hand her the medal, taking joy in watching her as she runs her finger over the large gold medallion, imprinted with First Place on one side and the competition's name on the other: The Fieldstone Challenge, Atlanta 2024 . As we discuss how to ramp up production to meet the anticipated demand, the door suddenly slams open, rattling the walls.
Ryan!
I told him to stay the hell out of here. And what’s up with Alex? He’s trailing behind my brother like a fucking puppy and doesn’t even glance at Sophia. Interesting.
“Brennen!”
“What the—Ryan? What the fuck? I thought I made it clear that you weren’t welcome in my winery. I told you to stay away. The winery isn’t any of your business.”
“I told you the other day, Brennen, this winery is my business. It’s our family’s legacy, and I’m not about to let it fall into the hands of a bunch of vultures.”
Before I can get a word in, he continues. “This isn’t just about the Celtic Knot anymore. You’re in over your head, and whether you like it or not, you need my help.”
I thought we covered this the other night. But something or someone has my brother all riled up again, turning my jubilation into irritation. My earlier acquiescence to take his help morphs into defiance. I want him out of here. Now. “Emma and I have been holding this place together just fine without you. We don’t need your help, you arrogant asshole.”
I don’t miss the silent interaction between Sophia and Alex. Something’s up with the two of them, but I can’t worry about that right now.
“You need me more than you realize,” he responds. “Why didn’t you call me? All you had to do was tell me you needed cash. I would’ve wired it to you—no questions asked.”
Why would I think he has that much cash lying around? I have no idea what he has. I’m determined not to let his blustering ruin our big win. “None of that matters any more, big brother.” I point to Sophia. “Our new winemaker has a major hit on her hands. We’re already sold out. We won first place and best overall white wine in Atlanta yesterday. I did that. Not you. Me! ”
“Several hits,” interjects Sophia.
All eyes are now on her. I look on in amusement as Sophia Garrett stands up to the big bad Navy SEAL. Even when he calls her cocky, she doesn’t back down. I admire her confidence in her abilities, and if the rest of her creations are as good as Sophia’s Blend, then she has every right to brag.
My amusement becomes irritation once more when Ryan turns back to me. “It doesn’t matter how many fucking cases you’ve sold. Based on my intel, it won’t be long before Sapphire Development can legally take ownership of this place. You wait much longer for help, and everything our mother worked so hard for will be gone. Come on, Brennen, do you honestly think you can stop what’s coming with just the orders for the new wine?”
The wheels are spinning in my head. How much does he actually know about the financials, and when did he know it? How long has he had his hand in things? “How did you know about…”
He shrugs. “Does it matter? I have my sources.”
I glare at Alex. That son of a bitch. “You mean spies?”
“Well, yeah.”
“That’s why this guy showed up out of nowhere, isn’t it? And you had Emma plant him to spy on us?”
“And again, yep.”
Sophie runs out of the room, clearly upset about the fact that her apprentice, who I suspect she has feelings for, is a spy. That suspicion is confirmed when Ryan says, “Go get your girl, Alex. Brennen and I have some family things to discuss.”
Alex runs out after Sophia, and Ryan and I are about to come to blows again. The next thing I know, Emma inserts herself between us, breaking us apart. When did she show up?
“What the hell is the matter with you two? I told you both that we are going to work together to get this mess figured out. Until then, I’m sentencing you both to a time out. Do not leave this room until you’ve sorted your shit!”
Our baby sister storms out, the sharp click of her heels echoing down the hall. The door swings shut behind her, leaving Ryan and me locked in a silent standoff, tension thick between us.
I take some calming breaths. Despite everything, I really do want to reconcile with him. I want my brother back. It’s been too damn long, and I want to fully restore the bond that our father tore apart. I squeeze my eyes shut, struggling to find the right words to diffuse the situation. A rope in my hand would help right about now. I take a deep breath and slowly exhale, regaining my center.
“Look, man, I’m sorry,” I say, my voice rough with exhaustion. “I know you’re not here to tear me down. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t care. The baggage is heavy, dude, and I’m just… I’m just trying to hold it together.”
I extend a hand to my brother. He takes it. I hold onto it like a lifeline, and pull him in for a hug.