Chapter 35
Dorian
Iturn the page on the Whitfield contract and take a slow pull of my coffee. It's strong, borderline bitter, just the way I like it.
The office is also the kind of quiet I like. Great for getting a head start and sorting out your mind before the commotion of business meetings and contract negotiations begins.
Nevertheless, I’m only here at work at this hour because Elodie had to get into school early. If that wasn’t the case, the two of us would still be in bed, wrapped around each other.
We got back from England two days ago. The real world came back fast, too, but it didn’t change the experience.
I set the coffee cup down and lean back in my chair, swiveling it around so I can stare at the skyline through the glass.
Going to England turned out to be everything I needed, and more. But what stayed with me was her.
Elodie.
Watching the way her face lit up when she saw something beautiful. The way her smile would reach her eyes before it reached her lips. Making her happy made me happy—a concept so foreign to me it might as well be a new language I'm only just learning to speak.
The havoc that existed before we left seemed so distant now it was hard to imagine it had ever existed at all.
I’m not entirely sure what changed me and set me on this path where I confessed my undying love to my wife. Honestly it was perhaps a little of everything, but I’d have to admit that the faux date with Parker pushed me.
The crazy thing was, it wasn’t just because it was him. I imagined someone else being with her and every other guy who could have been with her if I’d stood by my separate lives rule.
In that instant I realized I didn’t want that. And I didn’t want her to hate me either.
That turnaround was a big deal for a man like me who lives by the rules of control.
I know some things were still a work in progress—like Jack—but Elodie and I connected in a way I didn't know I was capable of. It ran deep, past all my carefully constructed bullshit.
That said, not everything that happened in England was enlightening. The darker parts still crept in.
I didn’t intend to talk about Jack, but I had to give her something. Just enough so she knew there was more to the story. She deserved that much, even if the full truth is something I'm not ready to lay at her feet yet.
And then there was my mother. That conversation carved something out of me I didn't know was still there.
Talking about my mother has never been easy. At the best of times, I avoid it. At the worst, I lock it away and pretend the box doesn't exist. But telling Elodie what she tried to do to me—saying those words out loud—unearthed the rawness that still sits in my gut like poison.
We went through so much, my brothers and I.
Things no child should have to carry. Things that shaped us in ways we're still discovering.
But now life seems to have softened. Knox is married and so madly in love with Isla it's almost sickening to watch.
And now there's me. A man who swore he'd never lose himself to love, sitting here thinking about his wife with a warmth in his chest he never wants to lose.
A knock sounds at the door. I turn back to the desk and straighten in my chair. "Come in."
The door swings open and Knox walks in, his hands deep in his pockets.
"A little bird said you were here." He grins. "Thought I'd check in."
I spread my arms wide. "I'm back."
Knox crosses the office and sits on the edge of my desk.
His eyes sweep over me, then a slow smile spreads across his face.
"Yes, you are back. And you look..." He tilts his head, squinting. "Sickeningly calm. I’m not entirely sure what to do with that since you tend to have that look when you’re about to wreak havoc.”
I let out a short laugh. “Not today. This is a different kind of calm.”
“I take that to mean everything went okay?"
"Yes." I lean back, folding my arms. "It went well."
He gives me an assessing stare, the kind only an older brother can pull off. "When you say well, what exactly do you mean?" He folds his arms, too. "Are you still pretending you and Elodie can have separate lives, or has that ship sailed?"
"The ship sailed into the Great Beyond."
He laughs but I can tell he’s still reading me.
"I'm going to do this thing with her," I say it like it’s an announcement.
"Thing?" He shakes his head. "You mean marriage."
"Yes. Marriage."
"Welcome to the club, bro." He claps. "The benefits are great."
"I see that now."
The teasing falls away and his expression shifts to something deeper, more sentimental.
"I'm happy for you, Dorian," he says. And I know he means it.
“Thank you.” I cock my head. “Did anything happen here while I was away? Particularly with Parker.” I hadn’t heard anything. After the encounter in the restaurant. I expected a phone call from my father and shit from Uncle Richard. Nothing came.
“No.” He raises his brows. “Levi’s PR guy dealt with the stories that came out of your little outburst at the restaurant. And as for Parker, not a word was said.”
I nod. “He knew he stepped over the line this time. My guess is he didn’t want to tell his father because he knew he was in the wrong. I’m sure he also didn’t want me to claw back the Hargroves contract.”
“At least he played it smart.”
“Indeed. I can’t imagine what excuse he’d find to tell his father for taking my wife out to dinner.”
“No. I can’t either. He’s been quiet though. Not sure what that means. Can’t figure out that fucker no matter what I do.”
“You and me both.”
Knox stands. “I’d better go. What are you up to later?”
He was going to really think I changed my ways when he heard this. “I’m having dinner with my wife and her brother.”
Knox’s brows fly all the way up to his hairline. “You’re having dinner with Jack?”
“Yes. A favor to Elodie. I know it must be hard on her. I don’t want her to feel like she’s caught between us. It’s just dinner. I guess it was bound to happen sometime.”
He gives me a deep sigh. “I’m impressed. This is good though. And it’s for her. Keep me updated.”
“You know I will.”
He dips his head then leaves. I turn back to the glass wall and wonder what tonight will bring.
Dinner with Jack. I couldn’t wait.
* * *
The Black Key is a swanky restaurant in SoHo, where low lighting and shadows do most of the work.
We have a corner table with a good view of the city that stretches out beyond the glass. Elodie sits beside me, her fingers turning the stem of her wine glass in slow, absent circles.
This dinner thing was her idea, but it’s obvious she’s worried. Worried either Jack or me will say the wrong thing and we’ll argue. There’s a nine out of ten chance it will, but it won’t be me who starts it. Jack has a way of running his mouth.
I got us here early on purpose, so we’d have a few minutes to ourselves.
I reach across the table and still her hand. "Relax, Lamb."
She exhales. "I’m trying."
"You're spinning that glass like you're trying to start a fire."
She laughs, and the tension in her shoulders drops just enough. "I just want tonight to go well."
"It will." I don't know if that's true, but she needs to hear it.
“I’m happy you both agreed to this. It means a lot to me.”
I nod. That’s the only reason I’m here. “Come here.” I crook my finger. She smiles and meets me for a kiss.
I barely get to kiss her before someone’s clearing their throat. I inch away with a frown, ready to put whoever that is in their place, but my rage calms when I find Jack staring at us.
I guess he decided to show up early too.
“Nice to see we’re still in the honeymoon phase,” he says with a smirk, his eyes on me.
“Jack. It’s good to see you.” Elodie gets up and rushes around the table to give him a quick hug. I stay where I am.
“Hey sis.” Jack smiles for her but his face resumes its previous sternness when he looks back at me. “Dorian.”
At least he’s acknowledging me. “Jack. Have a seat.” I’m trying, big time, but this was already feeling uncomfortable.
He sits and Elodie takes her place back next to me. She looks more at ease now that he’s here.
“Nice place,” Jack says looking around.
“Dorian picked it,” Elodie replies, smiling at me.
“You always had good taste.” He gives me a clipped smile and I’m not sure if I sensed sarcasm in his tone. Knowing him, I probably did, but that was his version of being nice.
I signal for the waiter to come over with some more drinks. He does, scuttling over with a bottle of vintage wine.
He pours our drinks and saunters away when I nod.
“So, how are you?” I ask, looking Jack right in the eye.
He dips his head. “As good as can be. Business is finally picking up and doing well. Obviously not as good as yours. And I won’t be a billionaire anytime soon.”
Elodie stiffens beside me and picks up her drink.
“It’s Vale Global. What can I say?” I will never apologize for success. That’s another route to failure.
“Of course.” Jack drinks too. “Anyway. I’m working on a few ideas. Hoping they pan out soon.”
“That’s great.”
“Yeah,” Elodie agrees. “That’s really great.”
“What are you working on?” I ask.
“Mainly expanding the business to work with a few more dealerships, and services.”
Sounded like he was actually getting his shit together.
A commotion breaks through the low hum of the restaurant. Voices raise first, then the heavy thud of boots echo on the hardwood. I look past Jack and my stomach drops.
Four uniformed police officers are cutting through the dining room in a tight formation, heading straight for us. Every head turns, conversations die mid-sentence, and a waiter freezes with a plate in his hand.
Elodie grabs my arm. "What's happening?"
I don't answer because I don't know. They look like they’re coming for me. I haven’t done anything they can pin on me, but my body is already moving. I straighten and square my shoulders, ready for whatever this is. But they get closer and then I realize they're looking at Jack.
The tallest officer reaches the table first. He doesn't hesitate to grab Jack’s arm and yank him to his feet.
"Jack Harper, you're under arrest on charges related to the possession and distribution of controlled substances. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law—"
"What the fuck?" Jack's face drains of color. "Get off me. This is a mistake."
Elodie shoots to her feet. "No. No, no, no." Her voice cracks. "Jack?"
He doesn't answer her. He can't. They're already cuffing him.
"This is a mistake!" Jack is yelling now, his voice bouncing off the walls. "I haven't done anything. Get your hands off me!"
The officers don't care. One of them pins his wrists tighter while the other continues reading him his rights like it's a script he's recited a thousand times. All eyes are on us. Phones are already out.
I don't waste time. I pull mine from my jacket and call Keith. He picks up on the first ring.
"Bring the car around to the front. Now," I tell him.
“Sure thing, Sir.”
He hangs up and I reach for Elodie. Her entire body is trembling and her eyes glassy with shock as she watches them drag her brother through the restaurant.
"Dorian." Her voice is barely there. "I don't know what to do."
I turn her face to mine, my hand firm on her jaw. I need her to focus. "You go home. I'll go sort this out."
"But—"
"Lamb. Let me handle it." I hold her gaze until I see her breathe. "Keith will be outside in two minutes. Go home. I'll take care of it."
“Oh, Dorian.” She leans into my chest and I hold her close, my mind already spinning.
Possession and distribution of controlled substances—drugs.
Jack what the fuck did you do?