Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
ORION
Inside the conference room of the Reimann Sienna Bank in Stockholm, Sweden, I stood beside my father, looking out at the lush courtyard.
“Did you know your mother designed that courtyard?” Rex Reimann gestured to the intricate shape of the landscape. He had aged significantly since the last time I saw him at his brother’s funeral. He had more creases on his forehead and lines around his eyes.
I looked down at the courtyard. From above, the mandala was more noticeable. Those wandering on the ground would miss the pattern, but they could enjoy the flowers and plants.
The silence hung between us. It wasn’t awkward because I was used to it, but I just didn’t know what to say. Too much distance had grown between my father and me. Our relationship wasn’t salvageable.
Guilt twisted in my gut, remembering how many times my mom had asked me to give my father a chance.
He loves you very much.
She was trying her best to keep the family together.
I studied my father, whose dark brown hair and cold gray eyes reflected mine. When I was younger, I’d wished for my mother’s blonde hair, inviting blue eyes, and her ability to dissolve anxiety the way sugar melted into warm tea. There had been moments when I’d yearned for my father’s attention, but he’d turned me away for meetings. I could never forget what it felt like to be dismissed like that.
How had my mom dealt with his coldness?
Rex Reimann was a powerful man in the business arena. I wondered if he ever spoke about me to his colleagues. He kept his family private, and when my mom passed, it became even more private.
“I didn’t know that.” I broke the silence. “Mom was very talented.”
“She was indeed.” Sadness tinged his voice.
I should forgive him for all the suffering I’d endured, shouldn’t I? I’d been a child working like an adult. My anxiety had become my weakness. A weakness that had pushed me to become a thief. Thievery was the only remedy that had helped me.
I never dreamed I’d become a thief, but life often took us down interesting paths that redefined many things for us.
A thief was someone who stole. But to me, a thief stole to patch up parts of his broken self. We were all thieves in some aspects. If someone took away your happiness or sanity without your consent, was he a thief too? How about all the corrupt politicians who stole from the common people by approving laws that only benefited them? Wasn’t that thievery as well?
“Helen was a very intelligent woman who saw things most didn’t,” my father said, still staring at the courtyard.
“She was,” I agreed.
My father turned, studying me. “I see her in you. I miss her.”
After my mother died, I hired someone to monitor my father. I was curious if he’d taken on a mistress like my uncle. My uncle had several mistresses, but his wife had her own men on the side too.
But my father didn’t disrespect my mother. He loved her and only her. For that reason I remained cordial... and hopeful that one day he and I could reconcile.
Life was hard and lonely after she died. The Condor and Ralph became my family, my father figures. Resentment stirred in my gut, and I just wanted to attend the banquet to celebrate Reimann Corporation having acquired another bank and head back to Providence.
The urge to be with Elena had grown during the past week. I needed to see her, touch her, and tell her I was ready to date.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” I turned to him. He’d left me a voicemail asking to talk, which surprised me.
“Jasper has been asking to buy Quintile Island.”
“And you told him persistence pays off.”
He chuckled. “He has selective hearing. I told him there are other islands for sale.”
“I’m not selling it.”
“Good.” A smirk slid onto my father’s lips, followed by a relaxed expression I had never seen on him.
For a moment I thought I saw pride gleam in his eyes. Or had that been my imagination? My dad had never shown any sign he was proud of me. Not when I aced all my exams, won top prizes at all the tournaments, or graduated top of my class.
“That’s what I have left of Mom. Nothing is going to make me sell it. Not even a dead body.”
My dad’s face hardened. “Who died?”
“A lawyer named Aaron Turner from New York. Do you know him?”
“Doesn’t ring a bell. Do you need me to ask around?”
My eyebrows furrowed at the offer. “I’ve got it. But thank you.”
He nodded slowly. “Don’t let anyone on there that you don’t know.”
“Why?” What did he know that I didn’t?
“Because that’s your mother’s sacred place—our sacred place. It was where she told me she loved me. She left something for you on the island, but I don’t know what or where it is. She was going to tell me the day she died.”
What did she leave for me? Was it in the house I was living in?
“She enjoys patterns like the mandala in the courtyard. Maybe she designed something like that for you. Let me know when you find it.”
“How do you know I’ll find it?”
His eyes sparked, and for a moment, I thought he knew I was a thief. But then he said, “Your mom used to say that things reveal themselves when they’re meant to.”
A knock sounded on the door, and my dad straightened his posture. “Who is it?”
“Jonah.”
“Come in.” Dad’s face transformed into the stony expression I remembered so well.
Jonah entered wearing his custom Italian suit, his dark hair slicked back, looking tired. I could only imagine the stress he was dealing with. Losing both parents and now having a pivotal role in the Reimann Sienna Bank.
Smiling, he walked up to me, offering a brotherly embrace. “Orion. I didn’t know you’d be here at the banquet.”
“It was a last-minute decision. How are you?”
“Same old. Working hard and trying to not let Jasper ruin things. I know he’s been asking you about your island. Ignore him.”
“You should give him a job to keep him busy,” I said.
“Don’t have time.” Jonah turned to my father. “Uncle Rex, we need your input on a potential acquisition.”
Nodding, Dad turned to me. “We’ll catch up later.”
Something shifted between my father and me today. It actually seemed like he cared and was proud of me.
After the banquet, I needed air and distance from all the business executives and conversations about investments. What was Elena doing? She hadn’t texted me in a few days. I’d been busy and hadn’t texted her either. I wandered to the courtyard, sat down on a bench, and studied the trees and flowers. Did my mom choose the shrubbery? A monarch butterfly flew by and landed on a red rose.
“Fancy meeting you here.” Chantel sashayed over with her black dress. I’d seen her earlier with the media crowd, interviewing my father and other members of his board.
I didn’t know why Providence Channel 7 News would cover a bank acquisition in Europe. Maybe she knew some executives who had invited her.
“Good evening, Chantel.” I offered a casual nod.
She sat down on the bench beside me, and I rose to my feet, creating distance. I wasn’t in the mood for company. The only person I wanted to see right now was back in Providence.
She got up, stepped closer to me, and placed a gentle hand on my arm. “It seems like the Reimann Corporation is expanding to Asia and Africa as well. What does it feel like to be part of such a successful conglomerate?”
“I don’t do interviews without it being scheduled ahead of time.” I smiled. “You can call my office to arrange a meeting.”
“You look tense. Do you need help to unwind?” She flicked me a seductive look. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”
“Not interested, Chantel.” I gestured to the banquet hall. “But there are plenty of men in there who would take that offer.”
She grinned and leaned in my ear. “This could be our secret. What happens in Stockholm stays in Stockholm. I want to taste your cock.”
“Like I said, I’m not interested.” I made my way out of the courtyard.
“It’s her, isn’t it?” Chantel’s tone changed as she caught up with me. “What do you see in her? Do you know that she recently got fired?”
I paused. “What happened?”
A sly smile stretched. “She didn’t tell you? If I were her, I’d share everything with you, babe.”
She gripped my arm, and I extracted it. “Please keep your hands to yourself. Why was Elena fired?”
Looking annoyed, Chantel kept her hands at her sides. “She’s dealing drugs. They found them in her desk and in her gym locker at work. Stupid. I always knew something was off with her. Always creating more work for herself. Anyway, Channel Seven has canceled her show. They’re starting my show in a couple of weeks.” Her eyes beamed. “I’d like for you to be my first guest.”
How was Elena taking the news? Why hadn’t she said anything to me?
Why should she, you moron? You’re not her boyfriend.
“No thanks.”
“My interview could boost your family’s business.”
“My family’s business doesn’t need a boost.” I walked out to the courtyard, wanting to get back to my hotel so I could text Elena.