34
CASH
Two Weeks Later
EVERLY IS NEXT TO ME at the conference table, chewing on her lower lip, eyes fixed on the doorway.
I take her hand in mine and can’t help but smile as I admire her ring. She’s worn it since our Vegas wedding, but its significance means more now that she’s said yes to my proposal.
It was meant to be when I saw the old Miller house for sale a couple of months ago. I purchased the property from an investor who was eager to sell. While remodeling a house in that timeframe is nearly impossible for most people, being a billionaire has its advantages. With access to expedited permits and fast-tracked labor, along with a network of connections through Stafford Holdings, I made it happen.
Luckily the contractor was able to revise the plans to adjust for how Everly described the place, allowing us to turn it into her dream home.
Once I saw the outcome, it felt like the right place to pop the question. Something tells me we’ll spend a lot of time in Aspen Grove, so I’m glad we now have a house there to call our own.
“Don’t worry,” I whisper in Everly’s ear. “Everything will be fine.”
“I know it will.” She squeezes my hand.
Harrison and Dylan occupy the seats on my right, with August and Liam on Everly’s left. Today, the Stafford Holdings and Townstead International acquisition is being finalized. We all flew into New York because it was the most central location.
My phone buzzes, and I discreetly take it out of my pocket.
Mom’s Favorites Group Chat
Mom: Is the deal finalized yet?
Presley: Yeah, it’s so not fair that Harrison wouldn’t let me be there.
Mom: Sweetheart, you don’t work for Stafford Holdings.
Presley. I know. Last night I was seriously tempted to temporarily quit Sinclair Group and join the company for the day so Harrison couldn’t deny my request.
Mom: That was a clever idea.
Presley: I know, right?
Cash: Are you two done? Richard will be here any minute and I can’t be distracted.
Presley: Can’t you give us a play-by-play?
Cash: No.
Mom: Your brothers didn’t text me back this morning. Will you please tell them to reply?
Cash: Mom, we’re literally about to finalize a major business deal.
Mom: I didn’t mean right now. Just as soon as the meeting is over.
Presley: Just tell Mom you’ll do it, or she’ll never stop.
Everly looks over my shoulder at my phone, chuckling when she reads the text thread on the screen.
“How do I get added to that group chat?” she chuckles. “Your mom and Presley are so entertaining.”
I blink at her in surprise. “You want to?”
She nods. “Yeah, I do. We should add Marlow too if she’s interested.”
“I’ll have Presley add you both after the meeting,” I promise.
Cash: Everly wants to join the group chat, and she said we should add Marlow, too.
Presley: This is the best news. Just wait, Cash, we’re totally going to gang up on you.
Mom: Presley. Be nice.
Cash: I think it’s time I follow Harrison and Dylan’s lead and exit the chat.
Presley: No way! It wouldn’t be fun without having you here to pick on.
Cash: I have to go.
Presley: Text us after the meeting!
Mom: Yes, and don’t forget to remind your brothers to text me back.
I turn my ringer off and stash my phone in my pocket just as Richard opens the door. The atmosphere shifts when he steps inside the conference room and frowns when he sees everyone seated on one side of the table, clearly displeased that we’re here first.
“What are you all doing here?” he barks at Everly, August, and Liam. “I wasn’t told you’d be present. And where is my legal team? They were supposed to be here at nine.” He checks his watch.
“I asked the Townstead and Stafford lawyers to come at ten so we could have a little chat first,” Harrison states calmly.
That’s a lie. They aren’t coming. Assuming everything goes as planned, the paperwork will be sent to both teams and filed by the end of the day. No legal teams required… just one ruthless lawyer.
“You had no authority to do that,” Richard hisses, his fists clenched in anger.
“Sit down, Richard,” Harrison says in a tone that leaves no room for disobedience. “You’re testing my patience.”
Richard gapes at him, then sits on the other side of the table despite his reservations. He grits his teeth, visibly annoyed at being ordered around by someone twenty years his junior.
“Well, I’m here. What the hell do you want to talk about?” Richard snaps.
“This is Dawson Tate.” Harrison gestures to the man seated at the head of the table, reclining in his chair with his hands folded on his lap. “He’s my legal counsel.”
“Why should I care?” Richard demands.
Last week, Dawson reached out to Harrison to confirm Landon’s termination. Harrison saw it as an opportunity to get Dawson’s advice on dealing with Richard. For a pretty penny, Dawson provided his guidance and devised a strategy to confront Richard.
Dawson is six foot four with a chiseled jawline, high cheekbones, and a straight, aristocratic nose. He’s dressed in a custom-tailored suit with silver cufflinks and polished black leather shoes. His lips form a thin line, and his piercing blue eyes are cold and calculating as he observes Richard like a predator.
Harrison has a commanding presence, but Dawson’s is meant to instill fear, and it’s working.
He rises from his seat with a folder in his hand and strides toward Richard, perching on the table next to him.
“You might not know me, but I’m well acquainted with you,” he states smoothly, holding the dossier up for Richard to see. “Someone’s been a naughty boy.” He clicks his tongue in mock disapproval, flipping through the documents. “Embezzlement, tax evasion, kickbacks—should I go on?” he asks rhetorically.
“You hid it well, but the Stafford team is the best. You were desperate for this acquisition because you’re hemorrhaging money.” Dawson’s tone turns icy. “You tried to deceive my client, which means you’ve made an enemy of me. And as you’ll soon learn, my enemies don’t fare well, Richard.”
I swear I can hear Richard gulp in fear from here. Even I have a chill down my spine, and I’m not the one Dawson is confronting. I wish I could have been there when he fired Landon. I’m sure he gave an epic performance.
“My lawyers won’t stand for this type of scare tactic,” Richard declares, his voice wavering.
“Call your legal team. Be sure to tell them Dawson Tate sends his regards. I’m itching to make someone cry today.” He smirks as he pulls out his phone.
“What are you doing?” Richard asks, sounding panicked.
Dawson shrugs. “I figured my friend at the FBI might be interested in hearing all about your extracurricular activities. Do you want to tell him yourself?” He holds out the phone.
“Hold on a minute,” Richard says, turning red in the face. “There’s no need for that. I’m sure we can talk this through.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Dawson says, his voice thick with sarcasm. “I’ll let Harrison do the honors.” He leans forward to straighten Richard’s tie, tugging it tighter around his neck before returning to his seat.
Harrison pushes a hefty stack of papers across the table to Richard. “I’m cutting my offer for Townstead International by half,” he says, with no sign of sympathy. “Given the extensive damage you’ve caused, it’s a fair deal.”
“That’s outrageous,” Richard blusters. “There’s no way I’m selling it to you for that price.”
“Does that mean Dawson should call his friend?” Harrison motions to Dawson, who sets his phone on the table in a silent challenge.
“This is extortion,” Richard hisses.
It’s remarkable how easily he can mistreat others, even stealing from his own family, but when he’s confronted with his actions, he doesn’t want to face the repercussions.
“Harrison’s offer beats going to prison, wouldn’t you say?” Dawson interrupts. “Trust me, I’ve been there. It’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.”
I don’t know if he’s telling the truth, but it only adds to his intimidation factor. It’s puzzling that he and Harrison are friends. I can’t picture them letting loose at a bar and sharing jokes over a beer. I’m wondering if Dawson even knows how to smile.
Richard pushes up out of his seat and points at Everly. “This is all your fault. If you’d kept your feelings out of that marriage of yours, none of this would have happened.” He’s lost all sense of logic, only focused on causing the most damage on his way out.
Oh, fuck no.
As I rise from my chair, Everly catches my arm. “I got this,” she says, her voice steady.
I nod, sitting back in my chair.
She stands up, placing her hands on the conference table, and locks eyes with her dad.
“Listen carefully, Richard. I’m only going to say this once.” It’s the first time I’ve heard her use his first name. “The only reason you’re not being dragged out in handcuffs right now is because I will not allow Liam, August, or myself to pay for your mistakes. We’ve done everything you’ve asked, and you went behind our backs.” Her gaze is cutting as she speaks. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You will sign on the dotted line and get the hell out of here. And if you ever contact me or anyone else that matters to me, Dawson will make sure you never see the light of day again.”
Dawson has his arms folded across his chest, his lips curving into a sickly-sweet smile.
“You can’t do this to me, I’m your father,” Richard sputters with false bravado.
“No, you’re nothing but a coward,” Everly retorts. “A father protects and supports his family. He doesn’t use them for his own financial gain. You lost the right to call yourself my dad a long time ago. It just took me a while to come to terms with it.”
I blink rapidly, my heart swelling with pride, as I watch my determined wife stand up to the man who’s mistreated her for years. The unyielding fire in her eyes is a testament to her inner strength and resolve to never let him intimidate her again.
Richard’s eyes dart between Liam and August, looking for support that’s not coming.
“Are you going to sit there and let this happen after everything I’ve done for you both?” he demands, his voice rising with each word.
Liam lets out a humorless laugh. “What have you ever done for us? You’ve overworked us while taking all the credit and have taken advantage of our mom since the day you got married. Give it up, Richard. It’s over.”
As it happens, Liam and August’s mom filed for divorce last week after she caught him trying to withdraw a substantialsum from her bank account.
Dawson slides a stack of documents across the table toward Richard. “This is your only opportunity,” he warns. “If you don’t sign, the deal disappears, and I’ll make sure law enforcement is here before you can walk out the front door.”
We all watch with tense anticipation while Richard reads through and signs each document. With each passing minute, his face flushes crimson, betraying his growing agitation. When he finishes signing the last page, he throws the pen down in fury.
“I hope you’re satisfied knowing you’ve robbed a man of his livelihood,” he spits in anger.
Harrison clenches his jaw. “No, Richard, you did that to yourself. You’re lucky I gave you anything at all. Now get out of here. You’re no longer welcome at any Stafford or Townstead building.”
Richard’s expression hardens into a mask of resentment. “I hope you’re happy,” he snarls, his gaze pointed directed at Everly.
“I am. Now, get out,” she states with finality as she points to the door.
Richard shoves his chair back, storming out and slamming the conference room door behind him.
“Damn, Everly, that was impressive.” August gives her a round of applause. “Thank god that’s finally over.”
Everly sinks into her seat, sighing in relief.
I place my hand on her knee. “Are you okay?”
She nods. “Never been better,” she assures me with a soft smile.
“That was hot as fuck,” I whisper in her ear.
“I’ve been waiting for the right moment to confront him,” Everly says. “It felt good to finally have the chance.”
Harrison walks over to Dawson, offering him a terse nod. “Thanks for your help.”
It’s almost painful watching them interact. None of my friends are this formal, even when they’re doing business. But then again, when they’re both grumpy billionaire workaholics who don’t know how to have any fun, or maybe they do?
Harrison pulls a white envelope from his suit pocket and hands it to Dawson.
“Your sister-in-law seemed to have everything under control at the end there.” Dawson gestures toward Everly as he puts the envelope in his briefcase. “My paralegal will deliver these documents to the Townstead lawyers and file the paperwork by the end of the day.”
On his way out, he glances back at Harrison. “Don’t forget, you and your brothers owe me two favors—one for this and one for Landon.”
Everly’s brows knit together in confusion.
“I’ll explain once we’re alone,” I promise her.