Chapter 33 - Ezra
Some lines can’t be uncrossed.
“Just so you know, I hated you the day I learned you had lied and she worked for you.”
Dean Culver smiles. “I assure you the feeling was mutual that day.”
“Your reasons were probably better than mine. I hate the time I’ve missed with them even more but figure it makes more sense to focus on the future I want to have with them. I’m very grateful for all you did to help her back then and bringing her over to Golden Gate.”
“I just gave her a call, asking if she was happy at her post-grad job. She did the rest. She’s brilliant. She was going to do well wherever she landed. We’re the lucky ones to have her.”
Nodding, I have to agree but I appreciate that he knows it.
Dean sips his coffee and considers his next words. “Only about two percent of the world’s population has green eyes. Did you know that?”
Chuckling, I save that bit of trivia to share with Wyatt before pointing out that Dean’s eyes are an unusual shade of greenish blue. “What are you getting at?”
“He has your eyes, not your brother’s. It just seems like he’s meant to be yours in some way.”
Yes, he is.
I felt a tug toward Wyatt from the moment I saw him, much like the one I felt toward Callie years ago. I never believed in love at first sight but, when it comes to those two, I have to admit my emotions were stirred from the start and far too strong to resist.
“So, you’re set to deal with Amber?” I ask Dean.
It was easy enough to find proof that the reporter and Chase have a hookup history. I suppose she hoped that would give her more access to me, professionally and personally. Whatever other promises Chase might’ve made her, I don’t know and don’t care to know.
“Despite never achieving my boyhood dreams of becoming a professional surfer, Ms. Ellis jumped at the chance to meet with me when my assistant sent her an email this morning.”
“You’re a well-known billionaire and she seems very keen to get close to one.”
“I’m a very married man, too. Reynolds should have things all set for both our meetings. Are you sure you don’t want him to find protection for them? Jameson knows his shit.”
“I’m sure he does but I hired a man last night who I believe they’ll be comfortable with.” The driver/bodyguard was a mixed martial arts champ before going into security work. He’s also a father so he understands how precious they are to me. No more bus rides or wandering around the city alone until things are settled.
“Time for me to get headed.”
“Good luck,” Dean says as I leave the coffee shop.
The only element of this upcoming meeting that luck will be involved in is how lucky Chase will be to walk out of it unscathed. My hands still shake when I think about Callie’s bruise.
After I got home last night, I’d called my dad and filled him in on everything. He was shocked and upset but not as upset as he would’ve been if I’d acted on my rage.
There were other painful truths to share. Chase hasn’t changed his ways as hoped and there’s things he’s been hiding. In addition to not finishing the program, he didn’t just decide to trade in his rental for a larger vehicle. He crashed it. And, he’s in debt, a shit ton of debt.
I asked our father to arrange a meeting for the three of us and bring Chase there. Dad’s presence will help keep my anger in check. Assuming Chase stays in check.
When I reach the office, Celeste informs me they’re already waiting in the chosen conference room as I’d instructed. “Mr. Lewis and the other gentleman are here as well.”
“Thank you.” My attorney hadn’t been terribly keen to be put to work so early this morning but he always answers his richest client’s calls.
“Mr. Sokolov, let me apologize again about-”
I shake my head. “You didn’t know and that’s on me, Celeste. We’re shaping up to be a good executive-assistant team and we’ll get better.”
“Yes, sir,” she says with a relieved smile.
Dad is standing on one side of the room and Chase on the other when I enter. I glance at the closed blinds that lead to an adjoining conference room while their ongoing argument continues. “What are you thinking of, threatening to use an innocent child, your own blood, in some media ploy?” my father barks.
“I’m thinking about showing his mother what happens when she goes against me. I’m thinking of showing my brother he doesn’t get everything.”
“This is not a competition, Chase.”
“Play to win, Dad. That’s what you taught us.”
My father sadly shakes his head.“I never taught you this.”
I stare at my brother who I have loved since he came into this world wondering what the hell happened with him. Mom’s abandonment can only hold so much of the blame. Dad wasn’t perfect but he was there and he tried. I tried. I’ve defended him for so long. But, he’s not the little boy afraid to sleep alone at night anymore. He’s been a man for many years now… and I’m disgusted by how he’s chosen to act.
Chase crosses the room toward me, his finger coming dangerously close to my face. I suppose biting it off wouldn’t be prudent this morning. “You’ve summoned me so here I am. Guess you have time for me now, huh?”
My eyebrows raise as I look toward Dad. “Christ, he smells like a brewery.”
“Yes, he’s apparently been drinking at night after I’ve turned in,” the old man confirms. “Were you drinking when you wrecked that fancy sports car you’d rented, too?”
Chase doesn’t answer our father but his mulish expression says it all. I hate that his demons still hold the reins but it helps me keep hold of my temper. It helps a very little bit.
“I called you here, Chase, because I want to give you a chance to step away gracefully without making a complete fool of yourself or hurting your child.”
“I have rights to my son.”
“You did until you put your hands on his mother. I don’t give two shits about your rights after that. Dad and I want you to go back to treatment and finish this time. Or, if that program wasn’t helping, we’ll find a better one.”
“Stick your programs up your ass. I’ve missed enough time on the ice.”
“Hockey isn’t everything. We want you to be well,” Dad tells him.
Chase glares at me. “He just wants me out of the way.”
“I am angry at you. There’s bad blood between us and I don’t know that our bond can ever recover from it. But, I would rather see you well than like this, Chase.”
He rolls his eyes. “Whatever Callie’s claiming, you should know better than to take her word over mine. You would know better if you weren’t busy thinking with your dick.”
“I didn’t imagine those bruises. The fact that I’m not killing you with my bare hands right now is because of my love for the old man but don’t push me, Chase. Now… what do you want?”
“What I want is whatever I can take from you.”
I would congratulate myself on being right if I didn’t feel so disappointed by it. “You want money? I’ll gladly repay you the money you gave Callie times ten.”
“You think a hundred grand would buy me off?”
“No, I imagine not so spell it out for me.”
He doesn’t even hesitate. “I don’t just want money. I want my career. I want to be your starting center. I want a three-year contract for twenty-five million.”
“That’s more than anyone in the league has ever made.”
“You’re good for it.”
“And, you’d sign away your parental rights for that? The money and to play for my team?”
“Yours or someone else’s. I don’t care. Just make it happen or I’ll drag your name and Callie’s through the mud for the press while dragging her through an ugly custody battle.”
“No judge would give you custody. All you’d do is hurt and frighten a child.”
“It would hurt her, too. And, you.”
“Yes, it would. So, if I promise you the things you’ve listed, you won’t go through with your threats?”
“I don’t want your promises, Ezra. I want it in writing. That’s what you big business types all do, am I right?”
“Yes, you’re right.”
And, you’re wrong. In ways I never realized.
I glance toward the closed blinds again. “Did you get all that, Lewis?”
My attorney opens the blinds as his voice comes through a small speaker in the corner. “Yes, I did. Extortion and defamation, nasty business.”
“And, you, Mr. Reynolds?”
“In technicolor, Mr. Sokolov,” Jameson replies, tapping a TV monitor where a tiny camera has recorded our conversation.
“What the hell is all this?” Chase asks, staring at the men and equipment on the other side of the glass.
“This was the end of your ludicrous plans,” I say, coolly. “No one will give credit to anything you say if you try to make good on your threats. No one will pity you. You’ll be despised and no team, not even the smallest semi pro team at the far corner of the world, would touch you with a ten-foot hockey stick if you speak a single word that’s harmful to Callie or Wyatt. I’ll pay for your treatment. Because of Dad, I’ll make sure you never go hungry but that’s the most you’ll get out of me. You want to play hockey again? You’ll have to earn your spot and play somewhere I don’t have to look at you. My attorney has some papers for you to sign. Once that’s done, security will show you out of my building and to the airport.”
Our poor, shaken father advises Chase not to fight me. He’s planning to fly back to the East Coast with my brother to make certain he doesn’t come to harm. I appreciate him doing it. Because I don’t think I could be trusted to be alone in a room with him for one minute right now.
As Chase moves past me, he can’t resist one final parting shot. “Just remember, every time you’re inside of her… I had her first.”
He’s a drunken shell of a man and I brush his bitterness away like a gnat. “But, you blew it which you’ll have to live with and, if she’ll have me, she’ll be mine for the rest of our lives.” He scowls and I have my own parting shot. “Oh, and Chase? I might’ve paid you the money for their sake but you really were dreaming if you think I would’ve wanted you as my team’s starting center.”