Chapter 25
Brady
“First order of business,” I said while sitting at the conference room table in our corporate office, glancing around the large oval, where Macon, Cooper, Jo, Rowan, Rhett, and Ridge had joined me. “We need a second jet. And we need one immediately.”
Rhett held up his hand. “Hold on a second?—”
“What am I holding for?” I barked, cutting him off, not liking the way he had begun his reply. “We discussed a second jet months ago. It’s apparent how badly we need one. That’s why this isn’t a discussion. This is me informing you that our company is buying one.”
“You mean, you need a new jet now,” Rhett responded.
There was no question; he was right.
But I didn’t appreciate his tone, the sharpness of his words, or that he hadn’t instantly agreed.
I leaned my arms on the table to get closer to the motherfucker as he glared from the spot directly across from me. “I’ll be traveling back and forth to Edinburgh for the next six months or so. Our jet is booked out for weeks. It’s not going to be available every time I need it. That’s a fucking problem.”
Rhett smirked. “That’s a Brady problem. That’s not a Cole and Spade Hotels problem.”
This fucking asshole.
The one thing I had in my pocket was that my assistant had informed me there were several occasions when the Cole family had tried to book the jet and it was unavailable, causing them to take commercial flights. According to her, they had been just as unpleased as when it had happened to me. That told me Rhett wanted this jet. He was acting this way because I’d prompted the conversation and I was asking for it.
Which gave me an idea.
“The truth is,” I started, “it would be beneficial if we actually purchased two jets. There are seven partners, plus our senior team, not even counting legal. Wouldn’t it be nice to have Jenner only bill us for his hours rather than airtime and fuel, too, since he has to take his own jet whenever he travels for us? Which you know is billed at a marked-up Dalton rate, not at cost.”
I looked at Jo for a rebuttal, knowing she’d surely have something to say about her husband.
She laughed and replied, “Do you really think my husband would charge us the full rate?”
“No fucking doubt about it,” Cooper replied. “He knows we can afford it. He’s giving us no breaks on his time, travel, or any expenses incurred.”
Jo winked. “You’re right.”
Point proven.
Now, I needed to rub things in a little more, so I said, “Our hotel fleet has doubled since the merger. Edinburgh will be up and running in less than a year.”
I nodded toward the bastard across from me. “You’re looking at properties for us to purchase, and once one is bought, that’ll take you away for an extended period.”
I glanced at the other partners. “The rest of you travel nonstop. You’re facing another wave of remodels and purchases, and that’ll all take you away from LA, and you’ll need a jet to get to wherever you’re going.”
I leaned back and crossed my arms. “The company can afford it, and we could certainly use the expense. Three isn’t outlandish. It’s more than reasonable for an organization as large as ours.”
Ridge looked at Rhett. “It’s not a bad idea.”
Out of the two, Ridge had warmed to us first.
Not scalding—shit, not even toasty—just a hint of heat to take away the chill. That was where he stood with us.
“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Rowan chimed in. “I tried to book a flight to Banff last week, and the plane wasn’t available.”
“We flew fucking commercial,” Cooper added, clearly annoyed. “Because Macon was in Hawaii with Brooklyn.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t get me going on Macon’s Hawaii trips.” I groaned. “He’s the reason I’ve also had to fly commercial.”
“Hey,” Macon countered, “it’s not my fault I’m more organized than you fools and I book my trips far in advance.”
I tapped the screen of my phone as it sat on the table, pulling up my email, where I’d pre-written some information to the team, and I hit Send. “If you all check your inboxes, you’ll see the planes that are available from the manufacturer I’ve selected. There are many builders. This one has impressed me the most. Their headquarters is in Dallas. I’ll be going there soon to look at each of the jets on that list.”
“And you’re bringing us with you?” Rhett asked.
The asshole was suddenly interested?
I didn’t play that way.
“That wasn’t an invitation,” I told him. “I’m going to Dallas alone. If I decide one of the jets is right for us, I’ll make the purchase. You can then go look at the remaining planes to see if there’s a third one you want to buy.” I glanced at both families. “If anyone is opposed to this plan, speak now.”
Not that I’d listen, but it was only right to give them a chance to voice their opinions.
Silence ticked through the room.
Until Ridge said, “I’d like to hear about what went down in Edinburgh.”
Finally, a question that made fucking sense.
Before I answered, I peeked at my brothers, waiting for a smart-ass comment on why I hadn’t been in the office for the last two days.
They knew I was home.
They also knew I wasn’t alone.
But the two of them were tight-lipped.
Pleased that they’d refrained, I said, “The governing officials weren’t happy about some of the changes I’d proposed to the facade of the property. They want the structure to be uniform with those around it. They’re afraid I’m modernizing it too much.”
Jo’s brows shot up. “How did the conversation go? Or maybe I should ask, who bent first?”
“I told them to go fuck themselves,” I replied, chuckling.
Cooper whistled. “Scotland doesn’t realize who they’ve gotten in bed with. Poor bastards don’t stand a chance.”
“Trust me, they realize now,” I said to my brother.
“You mean to tell me they’re letting you change the exterior?” Rhett asked.
I licked my lips. “No. They told me to go fuck myself.”
The room burst out in laughter.
“Sounds like you’ve met your match.” Rowan snorted.
I held the edge of the table, hating that I had to admit, “I have to play nice, or they won’t let the sale go through. They’ve made that clear. All I can do is clean up the exterior and give it the polish that it needs. As for the interior, they have zero say. That’s a hundred percent me.”
“So, things are moving along,” Macon said. “When will you be closing?”
“Three weeks,” I answered. “The plane will be purchased before, allowing my weekly commute to be seamless.”
“Because your commute back and forth to Scotland is our top priority,” Rhett said, his posture telling me he was ready to go to battle. “When, really, you should be moving there during the rehab, so you don’t tie up the plane.”
“I’m happy to buy the plane with my own money,” I told him, leaning even further into my chair, my arms crossed over my chest. “I’ll bill the company for the gas and the crew. Your choice.”
“You just don’t give a fuck, do you?” Rhett asked. “It’s not about what’s right for Cole and Spade?—”
“There’s where you’re wrong.” I slapped my hand on the table. “I do give a fuck. Edinburgh is going to be one of the largest rehabs we’ve ever done. I did my damn homework, and when that hotel is up and running, it’s going to be one of our most profitable. But what you’ve neglected to ask me is why I’m not moving there.” My eyes narrowed. “Ask the question, Rhett.”
He continued to stare and said nothing.
“I’m revamping our payroll system. The same way I streamlined the check-in process for our guests and a backend system for our entire network of hotels. Had you read the email I sent yesterday while I was out, then I wouldn’t have had to tell you. You would have already known this.” I put up my finger when I could tell a response was about to howl out of him. “Now, you’re going to ask who put me in charge of that task or what gives me the right to rewrite the system. That answer is me. As the chief technical officer, I have every right. And that’s not something I’m comfortable doing from afar. I need to work with accounting to make sure every step of that process is done correctly.” I rubbed my palms together. “Do you still call that not giving a fuck?”
He stood from his chair. “I’ve heard enough.”
I nodded. “I don’t blame you.”
Ridge’s head fell and shook. “You’re certainly going to have your hands full, Brady.” He pointed at the door. “I’m going to follow him out.”
When they were gone and the door was shut, I looked at Rowan and said, “Your fucking brothers.”
“What? That was the biggest improvement we’ve had,” she replied. “Rhett wanted to choke you out and didn’t. I would consider that massive progress.” She smiled.
“Agreed,” Macon, the goddamn golden retriever, said. “You can’t convince me that wasn’t one of our best meetings yet.”
Rowan put her hand on Cooper’s shoulder. “Congratulate your brother for not raising his voice at Rhett and ripping him a new asshole, please.”
Cooper laughed at his girl. “Fuck shop talk.” He looked at me. “I want to know why Diesel was on Dominick’s flight to Vegas today.”
“Jesus Christ,” I growled.
“Diesel was on Dom’s flight?” Macon said to Cooper.
“I can confirm that he was,” Jo said, smiling.
“Oh, this is about to get spicy.” Macon grinned at me.
“For the record, our brother hired Diesel to protect Lily, Dominick’s flight attendant,” Cooper replied. “So, when he tries to say he didn’t and he attempts to avoid the topic altogether, you’ll know the truth.”
I pounded my fist down. “I’m in the fucking room, you know.”
“She isn’t just some flight attendant, is she, Brady?” Rowan asked. “She’s your girlfriend.”
“Who you haven’t even admitted to us that you’re dating,” Cooper added.
I looked at Jo. “You’re over there, fucking smiling, and I’m positive you have plenty to say. Do you want to come out with it or stay silent?”
“I’m enjoying every second of this without feeling the need to say a word.” Jo winked.
I knew once this conversation was really had, I would get all the shit.
I deserved it for the things I’d said to them over the years.
But still, fuck that.
“Let me also say this,” Cooper voiced, eyeing the hell out of me. “I know you’re sitting over there, scheming your way out of this little chat we’re about to have. But it’s time you come clean, especially since we know you’ve been into her for a while.”
“You don’t know shit,” I barked.
“No?” Cooper smirked. “The two of you hooked up when we were in Tampa. She’s the reason you bailed on us that first night.” His brows then furrowed. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
Was it time to finally pull the plug?
Damn it.
“You’re not wrong about the night in Tampa,” I told them. “But you’re wrong about when this all started.”
“Now, I’m even more intrigued,” Macon gloated.
I explained to them how I’d seen her in the airport when I flew commercially to Edinburgh and how she was—fortunately for me—my flight attendant in first class. I went on to admit how she’d taken off while I was asleep and the six-month gap that took place before I randomly bumped into her on the Daltons’ jet.
I didn’t give every detail. But I gave them enough.
The amount of pleasure on all their faces was fucking palpable.
“The one who left her mark before she got away,” Jo said. “That’s why you never stopped thinking about her. You didn’t stop, did you?” She paused, knowing she wouldn’t get an answer. “For once, you got a taste of your own medicine, and now, you’re talking about her with dreamy eyes.” She put her hand on my arm. “Whenever I fly with Jenner and happen to mention you, she has the same look on her face. Keep going. I need more.”
Before I could say anything, Cooper practically sang, “Do you know what I am? I’m blown the fuck away. My big brother is finally ready to settle down. Shit, I never thought I’d see the day.”
As wild as it was, I was here.
Ready.
But it was time to explain the elephant that stood between Lily and me.
“Guys, things are complicated, and I don’t say that lightly.” I ran my hand over the top of my head. “I’ve got it handled. That’s why Diesel is on board and why he’ll shadow her and make sure she’s protected the entire time she’s in Vegas and going forward.”
“Going forward?” Macon mirrored. “Fuck. That doesn’t sound good.”
“She has a nasty ex-boyfriend.” I ground my teeth together. “A motherfucker I’m ready to kill because he won’t stop fucking with her. You know what that asshole did the other day? He sent flowers to my damn house with a card that called her his wife.”
“And he still has a pulse?” Macon asked. “I’m shocked.”
I was quiet for a moment. “He stalks her. Blows up her phone. Sends photos. Says things to her that makes my fucking blood boil.” I flattened my hand on the hair I’d been rubbing. “I got her a new phone. She now has Diesel. I’m hoping, between the two, things with him will die down and he’ll realize I don’t fuck around and she’s no longer his.”
“She’s yours,” Rowan said.
I nodded. “I want her to be.”
“Damn,” Cooper said.
“Damn is right,” Macon agreed.
Rowan looked at Jo. “I’m melting. Like legit, straight-up swooning over here.”
“Same, girl. Same,” Jo replied.
“Never mind the girls,” Cooper said, laughing. “What if her ex doesn’t stop? What if this is just the beginning?”
My mind had been circling that question, thinking about it endlessly.
“I’ll handle it,” I told the group.
“How?” Macon asked.
“I’ll make sure the dude doesn’t have any fingers left to dial her fucking number or a tongue to talk to her with.”
The room turned silent until Cooper said, “I’ve never seen you like this.”
“Because Brady’s in love,” Jo replied. “Just like the rest of us.”
“For the record, I’ll take full credit for every bit of this,” Macon said, grinning like a damn fool. “Because if I hadn’t booked our jet to Hawaii, then you never would have flown commercial, and you wouldn’t have met her.”
While everyone laughed, I flipped him off. Even though the dickhead was right.
And for just that one instance, I was relieved he’d booked the jet before I’d had the chance.
“You know what hits me the hardest about you three?” Rowan said, looking at each of the guys. “When it comes to love, there isn’t anything you boys wouldn’t do for your girls.”
Me
You know what I hate?
Lily
What?
Me
When I take a breath and I don’t smell you in the air.
Lily
Hands down one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me.
Me
That’s the second time you’ve called me sweet in one day.
Lily
You’ve earned it, Mr. Spade. ;)
Do you want to know something I love?
Me
Tell me.
Lily
That I’ve thought about you all day. Not just because I’ve been with Diesel or that I have a dinner reservation coming up with food you recommended that I can’t wait to devour. But because I’ve been walking the Strip and popping into stores—things I haven’t done in a long time. Things I’ve missed. Things I’m doing because of YOU.
Me
Freedom sounds beautiful on you.
She replied with a photograph, a selfie of her standing in front of the Bellagio fountains. The smile on her face was as wide as I’d ever seen it. But there was more. There was a happiness in her eyes that I’d only witnessed once before. It was the morning after the flowers had been delivered—when she woke in my arms, when I took her mind off everything, when it was just us in that bedroom, nothing and no one else.
That was the same grin staring back at me.
Me
And freedom looks gorgeous on you.
Lily
That dinner … there are no words. I ate my weight in Wagyu, and I regret nothing. And the sides? I don’t know what they put in that sweet potato casserole, but I will never recover from it. This next sentence is said with a screamy voice: I can’t believe you paid for my dinner. Also screaming: You shouldn’t have done that. Now with a loving voice: But it was so, so sweet of you. Thank you isn’t enough, but it’s all I have.
Me
More sweetness …
Lily
I can’t help it. You’re like the chocolate lava cake I’m still inhaling—mouthwateringly sweet.
Me
God, you’re fucking cute.
Lily
Can I tell you what I hate?
Me
I suppose it’s your turn. Go.
Lily
That when I’m in my room later, you won’t be at the hotel to knock on my door.
Me
Don’t tease me, Lily. You know I’ll get on a plane right now and come to Vegas.
Lily
Would you really?
Me
For you, in a fucking second.
Lily
If I wasn’t coming back to LA tomorrow, I might ask you to do that. But I’ll get to see you once you leave work, and I’ll get to spend the night with you, and I’ll get to kiss you whenever I want. So, I think I can wait. It’ll be difficult, LOL, but I’ll make it.
Me
The places I want to kiss you …
Lily
Good night, B. Have the sweetest dreams.
Me
B … yes, I like that. Good night, baby.
Lily
xo