Chapter Two. #2
He might give off the bumbling researcher appearance, but he was an asshole.
While he typically avoided messing with me, Matthews was also misogynistic, homophobic, temperamental, and somewhat racist. It bewildered me that the man still worked for the institute, but his legendary genius couldn’t halt the bullshit he spewed.
Matthews was a hateful little shit. Yet his breakthroughs in medicine protected him.
I hated that. How the hell could someone of Matthews’ type still be employed with that attitude? I didn’t know, but he was. Piggy eyes watched me, and I knew the asshole was trying to feel me out.
“Send me the time and address; I’ll attend, but can’t stay late,” I replied.
Mathews offered a half-smile. I’d pushed back, and he didn’t like that. “And you’re bringing a girlfriend?”
Yeah, this motherfucker was feeling me out.
“No. Rowena and I recently broke up. I’ll be attending alone.”
“Rain, I’m sure my wife can find you a date,” Matthews offered, and I shook my head.
“As I said, sir, no thank you. I’ll eat, but must leave at a decent hour. I’ve a family weekend planned.”
Matthews didn’t like the fact that I was refusing to bow. That became obvious in his next words. Fuckin’ asshole.
“Well, there’s always the satellite lab near Spearfish if you’re that eager to be there. A transfer could be arranged. At least you’ll be in close distance to those degenerates your sisters married.”
That was an out-and-out threat. The satellite lab was nowhere near the size of this one.
Being sent there was basically being put out to pasture.
The degenerates he spoke so unkindly of were Hellfire MC.
But Matthews had picked the wrong victim.
I wasn’t going to let Matthews threaten me; hell, I had no idea how it had come to this.
“There is also ENS Pharma there,” I retorted, and Matthews’ eyes narrowed once again. Yeah, I could make my own threats, and ENS Pharmaceuticals was a huge one. They were rivals in our field and were based in Bell Fourche near Spearfish.
“Well, now.” Matthews forced a grin. “You’re loyal to us, and your work is so valuable. Why are we considering Spearfish? Celebrate on Friday, then have your weekend. I’m sure you’ll return bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.”
I managed a smile and headed for the elevator. It was then that I noticed most conversations had died down around us. The team and other employees had been listening to Matthews and me.
Let them. I wouldn’t stoop to his level, but it was worth getting my CV in order.
Shotgun
He pulled over just before hitting the clubhouse and answered his cell. “Well?”
“We got it. The whole thing moves to clinical trials in a couple of months,” Rain announced.
“Congrats!” Shotgun said, happy for him.
“Yeah.”
Shotgun frowned. Something was wrong; Rain was subdued. “What happened?” he demanded.
Rain sighed. “I’m being forced to attend a celebratory dinner on Friday. I’ll be back later than I thought.”
“Matthews,” Shotgun spat.
“Yup, his usual self. Even made a threat about moving me to the satellite office.”
“Holy crap. Asshole said that outright?” Shotgun was shocked. He’d never met this Matthews, but knew of him. Rain had plenty to complain about.
“Yup. Tonight, I’ll be updating my CV. I’ll deliver it to ENS Pharmaceuticals while I’m down this weekend. I can’t work in this atmosphere anymore. There are things I want to investigate and experiment with, and Matthews is gonna hold me back.”
“Is that definite?” Shotgun asked.
“Yeah. Matthews plans to be a huge asshole. I’ll send my CV tomorrow and let them know I’ll be around on weekends.
They should interview me straight away; they’ve headhunted me at least five times.
I only turned them down because of loyalty.
” He sighed and sounded exhausted. “Babe, I’m fucking tired of not being able to be myself. ”
Shotgun froze. Had Rain’s thoughts gone to the same place as his own? “I was thinking of telling the MC.”
“What if they turn on you?” Rain asked.
“Then they aren’t my real brothers.”
“Are you sure? This is a massive risk,” Rain pushed.
“One hundred per cent. We can’t keep hiding what we are to each other.
I’m fed up with slipping into hotels and not being able to be myself.
Rain, I love you. I’m fuckin’ crazy about you, and I’ve had enough of sneaking around.
If you don’t feel the same, tell me now.
I refuse to be embarrassed by what I feel. ”
Shotgun’s gut twisted. Would Rain turn on him, too? Was Rain happy for Shotgun to be his filthy little secret like Rowena was? His nerves built until he almost exploded.
“Hey, I don’t give a shit what they say. Nothing will make me give you up,” Rain stated firmly.
“Then I’ll let you know how it goes.”
Allegra
And yet again, I was late. Always freaking late. I pulled up outside my uncle’s status symbol—his mansion—and climbed out. I sighed as I noticed everyone else was here.
The door opened, and Thatcher, my brother, peered out, wearing his trademark smirk.
“Oh, sis, you’re going to get it!” he chortled, and I flipped him the bird.
“Fuck you, Thatch!”
Thatch laughed as I stomped towards him. Then, glowering, I turned and headed back to the car to grab Gramps’s gifts. Thatch was still laughing as I entered the massive, ostentatious lounge where everyone waited.
“Girl!” Gramps exclaimed with a huge smile.
“You’re late,” Mom snapped. I ignored her and hurried over to Gramps. I kissed his cheek, and he rolled his eyes as I gave him his gift.
“Thanks, kid,” he muttered.
“We’ve been waiting on you; I hope dinner isn’t spoiled…” Aunt Thelma sniffed.
“What? By five minutes? If it’s ruined by delaying a few minutes, you’ve got issues,” I shot back.
“Don’t be so rude,” Uncle Thad snapped, and I snorted.
“Tell Thelma not to be so dramatic!” I retorted.
“That’s enough, Allegra!” Mom lost her temper, and I turned to her.
“Oh my God, what happened to you?” I exclaimed.
Gramps choked on the mouthful of drink he’d just taken while Nana giggled. Mom stared, and I couldn’t tell if she was annoyed or what. Clearly, the filler had been overdone, and she looked like a pufferfish.
“Mom, you have to stop that. You look bloody awful,” I continued, and she gasped. At least, I think she did.
“Show your mom some respect!” Dad snapped, and I turned.
“Why?” It was an honest question, and Gramps and Nana broke into laughter.
“Thank God you didn’t turn out like them,” Nana said as she linked her arm through mine.
“Hell no, I don’t need a single thing up my ass!” I retorted as we headed into the dining room.
Aunt Louisa choked, and Uncle Standish glowered. Huh, they could look but wouldn’t start anything because of Gramps’s fortune.
“Do we have to do this every year?” I muttered to Nana.
“I’d prefer a good pizza, not a damn five-course meal with shit we don’t eat,” Nana replied. “But tradition keeps the peace.”
Damon, behind me, began laughing as Thelma and Thad, his parents, turned to stare at him. Damon assumed his place and winked as I sat opposite him.
Puffing up with importance, Thad took the most significant seat at the table, while Thelma sat at the other end. The rest of us fell into our usual places, which hadn’t changed since we were children.
Granddad stared at Thad. “You have the cheek to talk about respect? When did you become the head of the family?”
Thad turned puce. Gramps had never questioned the seating arrangements until now. What was going on?
“Pardon?” Thelma asked from the opposite end of the table.
“I see a grandchild missing. Where’s Aubrey?” Gramps demanded, refusing to sit. Nana remained by his side.
“Aubrey is not welcome while he persists in that ridiculous career,” Thelma stated snootily.
“Yes, we heard you cut the boy off,” Gramps replied as he stood glowering.
“He’s a disgrace and an embarrassment,” Thad thundered. I leapt to my feet as Damon did the same. Both of us were prepared to protect Aubrey.
“Don’t talk about Aubrey like that!” Bradford snapped. He rose beside Damon, both of them ready to defend their brother.
“Much like you then,” Nana sniped at Thad, and I gaped at Damon in shock. Thad blinked.
“You heard your mother,” Gramps said. “What type of asshole son did I raise? More worried about wealth and status than his own flesh and blood. Well, boys, I have some news for you…” Gramps looked at my dad and uncles and paused to stare each of them down.
“As of Monday, there’s a new CEO and CFO.
” Gramps grinned, and we all frowned. What the hell?
Those were Thad’s and my uncle Strafford’s positions.
“Lowell and Prescott will be running the family business from now on. Thatcher and Barrett will also fill the COO and CMO roles.”
I glanced at my brother and Barrett, noting their lack of surprise. Holy crap. Gramps had just cut his sons out.
“You can’t do that,” Dad yelled as he stood up.
“Yes, I can, and have. I don’t like what you four boys have become.
You’ve all forgotten the value of hard work and humility.
Those wives of yours have ruined all of you and tricked you into thinking you’re better than you are.
We came from working-class people. I gave you jobs and brought you up decently.
Who knows what got into you, but you luckily didn’t ruin the grandchildren.
By the way, I reinstated Aubrey’s trust fund. You had no right to disinherit him!”
“Who wants pizza?” Nana asked as she and Gramps rounded the table.
I stared, stunned. What the hell had just happened? Whatever it was, I was with them. “I do,” I responded.
Gramps smiled. “Come on, kids, let’s go celebrate my birthday how I’d like it to be celebrated. Not how they think it should be done,” Gramps said, and we followed him out.