Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
GREG
The news that Ned has officially reported to prison brings a sense of closure, and I find myself breathing a little easier. With one major hurdle behind us, Joanie and I focus on the next challenge: the initial boundary review meeting.
The meeting is held at the Central Washington University student union in Ellensburg, and as we walk in, I can’t help grumbling. “They could’ve handled this at the community center. We only have a few hundred people here.”
I’m sure the large ballroom is great for functions, but the rows upon rows of chairs aren’t close to filled.
Joanie gives me a wry look. “The county has to account for a certain percentage of the town being able to attend, even if they don’t show up.”
I huff out a breath and nod, conceding her point. As we take our seats, I scan the room, and my gaze lands on my father. He’s sitting quietly, not speaking to anyone. My chest tightens, knowing he can’t be up to anything good.
The meeting itself goes smoothly. The county official presents the proposed boundaries, fields questions, and opens the floor for public comments. Surprisingly, very few people speak up, and we wrap up in under an hour. I should’ve known it went too smoothly because as everyone files out, my father approaches me. “Gregory, may I have a word in private?”
I exchange a glance with Joanie before nodding reluctantly. “Fine,” I say tersely to my father. And then to Joanie, “I’ll meet you outside in a minute, baby.”
She gives me a supportive wink and squeeze of the ass before leaving. I chuckle as I watch her go before turning back to my father. Who looks like he just sucked on a lemon.
And with no preamble whatsoever, my father hands me a thick envelope. “I think you should take a look at this. It’s about your … girlfriend .”
Frowning, I ignore the disdain in his voice when referring to Joanie and open the envelope, perusing its contents. My stomach drops as I do. It’s evidence that Joanie had an affair with one of her former law firm’s managing partners and was using it to blackmail him for a promotion and other perks. Text message conversations, emails, performance reviews, and even a few photographs of Joanie looking flirty and touching an older, albeit not unattractive, man.
“Where did you get this?” I ask, my voice tight.
“Since your girlfriend made such an … interesting impression at our first meeting, once I heard she was spearheading the town’s incorporation and that you two have been seen about town looking rather cozy, I took it upon myself to learn a bit more about the woman my son was getting into bed with. Literally and figuratively, as it were. Luckily, my attorney knows one of the other managing partners at the firm she worked for,” he explains. “Listen carefully, Gregory. If you do not end this relationship with her and relinquish your interest in our joint property, her former firm and I will release this information to every law firm in Washington. She’ll never work in law in this state again. I will not have you prancing about with a harlot while doing everything in your power to sink this family’s legacy.”
Anger surges through me, but I force myself to stay calm. “I’ll look at the evidence and think about it,” I say evenly, but even that amount of deference chafes against my pride. Still, I know my father, and he doesn’t make idle threats.
My father nods, a smug smile on his face. He thinks he’s won. But I know playing this card means he expects to lose his lawsuit against me. He’s getting desperate. Still, if what he says is true, Joanie’s career is now in my hands. As soon as my father walks away, I allow myself a moment to feel the despair that’s already tearing me apart. But I pull it back together. I need to walk out of these doors and pretend everything is fine in front of Joanie until I can decide what I’ll do next.
Back at home, I pour over the documents alone, searching for chinks in the story that’s laid out in front of me, my mind racing. I’m upset, but I need to talk to Joanie about this. I don’t want to believe it, but it’s all laid out in black and white.
When I call her into the room, I can see that she wonders why I’ve been locked away in here. But when her eyes land on the documents spread over the desk, her face pales.
“Is that what was in the envelope your father gave you?” she asks gravely.
I nod. “Yes,” I reply simply.
Her eyes turn glassy, and her shoulders rise with the deep breath she takes as she settles into the chair across from me. “I can explain.”
“Please do,” I say, gesturing for her to go ahead while trying to keep my voice neutral. “Because I don’t want to believe this, but it’s hard to ignore.”
She takes another deep breath, but I can see her hands shaking. It hits me right in the gut. Even knowing she may have done these horrible things, my heart still reaches for her.
“When one of the managing partner’s sons was promoted to junior partner, even though I’d been promised the position, I threatened to sue for gender discrimination. I’d been building a case against them for years, noticing patterns in their promotions. In response, they fabricated this story and evidence to discredit me if I ever proceeded with a lawsuit. They asked for my resignation.”
I lean forward, listening intently as she continues. “Their story wouldn’t stop the lawsuit, but it would ruin my reputation and prevent me from getting a job at any law firm in Western Washington. So I decided I didn’t want to work there anymore. But instead of quietly resigning, I chose to have sex with the recently promoted son and get us both fired. A final ‘fuck you’ to the partners.” She blinks her eyes and barks a harsh laugh. “The joke was on me because even though I’ve tried to pretend it never happened, it’s been difficult to move on from. ”
My brows jump. “How so?”
She rubs at her forehead. “I don’t like to focus on the negative. I’m all about what’s next, what I can do, not what I can’t do. It takes a lot to keep me down, but after years of dealing with their shit … it just wore me out. And then they made up all this —” she gestures at the documents “— and I knew even if I could prove it wasn’t true, the damage would be done by the time I could get anyone to listen. It made me hate the industry. Because this is how it is. Lies and fabrications and mind fuckery. They sure don’t tell you about all that in law school, and it’s why I was having such a hard time deciding what to do next with my life.” She shakes her head like it doesn’t matter, but I can see her breaking from here.
I gesture for her to come to me. With a sniff, she rises and rounds the desk. I pull her into my lap and wrap my arms around her. She rests her head on mine, and I kiss her neck where it meets her shoulder.
“I’m so sorry, Joanie. I’m sorry they mistreated you. I’m sorry they made up a pack of lies to keep you quiet. But I’m mostly sorry that I didn’t instantly see this for the complete bullshit that it is,” I apologize. I tilt my head up and look her in her ice-blue eyes. “And I’m sorry my father has gotten his hands on this information.”
Joanie snorts. “Hey, I’m the one who called him powerless. I was practically baiting him to do something like this.” She shakes her head, anger written in the tight lines around her mouth and eyes.
“This isn’t your fault,” I assure her. “But the fact remains that my father could destroy your career over this. So I think … as much as I hate to let him think he’s won even for a moment, I think we should at least appear to break up for now. Just until I figure out what to do.”
Joanie’s eyes flash with hurt, but she nods. “You’re probably right. Except about one thing.”
I give her a half-hearted smirk. “What’s that?”
She nuzzles into me and places a gentle kiss on my lips. “Until we figure out what to do.”
I don’t contradict her that this is my father, my battle to fight. Instead, I run my hands up and down her arms. “You need to be here for the incorporation. I have some ideas that I can look into in Seattle. I’ll keep you in the loop as much as I can.”
Joanie cups my face in her hands, looking deep into my eyes. “I’ll go stay with Mia and Nate for a while.”
“You can stay here while I’m gone if you want to,” I assure her.
She shakes her head. “It’d make me miss you too much.”
Overwhelmed with affection at her words, I lean in for another kiss, soaking her in, knowing that no matter what, I’m going to miss her like crazy.
“I’ll spend the rest of the afternoon clearing my calendar for the next few weeks. And then I want to have you for dinner,” I growl into her ear.
She arches against me, stroking a hand down the back of my head. I bury my face in her breasts and sigh.
“When will you leave?” she asks quietly.
I kiss her clavicle. “Tomorrow morning.” Her chin rests on my head, and I wrap my arms around her. “This is just a bump in the road, baby. We’ll get through this.”
She slides off my lap and heads toward the door. She turns back from the doorway and smiles sadly. “I know.” Her gaze drops to the desk. “Thanks for believing me.”
I shake my head, angry at the idea that someone believing her is something to be grateful for like the alternative is even remotely acceptable. And again, I’m angry at myself for the small window of doubt my father’s delivering this package instilled in me. I’m an asshole.
“You deserve all the faith in the world, Joanie. Believe that.”
Once she’s gone, I clear my schedule and put the documents back in their envelope to take to Seattle. Somehow, I’ll figure this out. I just hope I do it before my father gets tired of waiting for my complete submission.
* * *
After making love to Joanie twice the next morning, it takes everything I’ve got to walk out the door, bag packed for fuck knows how long away from her. With a heavy heart, I start the trek, letting my mind sift through everything as I drive.
By the time I get to the house in Queen Anne, I don’t have any brilliant ideas—save calling Sera and asking her advice. At the very least, she asked for updates on the property stuff, and it would be good to talk to someone about this.
I call her, and we arrange to meet for lunch near her office the next day. That done, I make up a bed and head to the grocery store. If I’m going to be here a while, I may as well get settled in.
* * *
The restaurant Sera wants to meet at near her office is in the heart of downtown Seattle, and it hasn’t been long enough since my last trip for the stress of the city to leech entirely out of me. So it’s even more overwhelming this time. It probably doesn’t help that I’m already on high alert, given everything that’s going on.
Once I step into the burger joint, the noise level falls considerably, and my shoulders drop from around my ears. The inside is done in the 1950s diner style, with bright colors and period-appropriate posters. It’s cute, if not a little kitschy. And I’m a bit early, so I wait in the entryway until Sera breezes in a few minutes later, looking pretty in a khaki shirtdress.
“Hey, you,” I greet her, going in for a hug.
She squeezes me briefly before putting me back at arm’s length. “You look even more stressed out than before,” she comments drily.
I give her a wry smile. “Thanks?”
A hostess leads us to a small booth, and we settle in.
“So, what’s daddy dearest up to now?” Sera asks as she flips through her menu.
I snort. “I’m going to need beer for this conversation,” I joke. Thankfully, the waiter shows up and takes our drink orders, bustling back with them before I can so much as take another breath.
“Well?” Sera asks after he takes our orders and rushes off again.
“He dug up some dirt on my girlfriend, Joanie, and threatened to kill her career with it if I don’t stop seeing her and sign over my share of the property,” I summarize succinctly, knowing Sera’s fondness for getting to the point.
“Shit,” she says. “What an asshole.”
I chuckle. “Yep. Speaking of assholes, how’s your mom doing?” I tease.
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t even get me started,” she grouses jokingly. She taps the table. “I did have an idea after our last meeting, though. I was going to hold onto it until the right time, and this seems like it.”
I raise an eyebrow. “This I’ve got to hear.”
“I’d like to buy you out of your interest in the property you own with your father,” she replies.
Not that I had any idea what I expected her to say, but I’m still shocked by her suggestion. “Sera, I can’t ask you to take that on. And I’m not even sure it would work that way … legally, I mean.”
She smiles. “I looked at your draft proposal and I’ve done my research. Your type of ownership allows you to sell your interest. I’ll buy in and use cash to build facilities for the city, which I’ll then lease to them. Once the initial city planning is done, I’ll use the remaining land to build luxury retail and residential spaces to promote town growth. Your father won’t see a penny, and if he’s smart, he’ll let me buy him out, too, which will be hard for him to turn down as I plan to make him a very generous offer. You won’t have to fight him anymore, and the town wins.”
“Sera … I appreciate the thought, but I think I’m just going to give in and let him have the property. It’s not worth fighting over, and I don’t need to drag you into it.”
“It’s cute that you think that’ll stop his reign of terror,” she comments lightly. “You don’t think he’ll use full ownership of prime real estate in your new hometown to lord every little decision he makes over you? To terrorize you into doing exactly what he wants?”
I let out a frustrated growl because she’s right. “Okay, fine, you may have a point.”
Sera laughs. “Sorry. I understand wanting to fix things on your own. But you can lean on me, Greg. That’s not weakness. That’s what family should be for.”
“Damn. I forgot what that’s like,” I say, breathing a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Sera. You’re brilliant and amazing, and I’m forever in your debt. Yes, let’s do it.”
She beams at me. “Excellent. I’ll start the paperwork. Full disclosure: I plan to clean up on that investment as Alpine Ridge grows, so don’t worry, I win, too.”
I shake my head and laugh. “I would hope so. It’s an amazing plan and one only you could pull off. If you’re sure, I’m in. Though I still don’t know how I’m going to deal with what my dad’s got on Joanie.”
Sera tips her head to the side as our burgers arrive. “Tell me about it.”
I take a huge bite of my bacon cheeseburger as I consider how to frame it. Then I remember who I’m talking to, and I just tell her about the firm’s fabricated evidence to stop Joanie’s discrimination lawsuit.
“Wow, they’ve got some seriously big balls,” she says, irritation lacing her tone, her nose wrinkled in disgust. “But I have an idea on that too.”
I huff a laugh and finish off my beer. “Well, aren’t you a jack of all trades?”
She shakes her head before popping a ketchup-laden fry into her mouth. “Oh no, my idea is to point you at someone who will have real ideas.” She swallows and takes a sip of water. “Remember I told you my husband owns a corporate security firm?”
My eyebrows pull together, but I nod. “Yeah, I remember.”
She looks at me with a glint in her eye. “Trust me. Bryce will know exactly what to do.” She whips out her phone and starts composing a text.
“Really?” I ask skeptically. “I thought his company protected other companies from spies and hackers, like he did for you.”
She nods as she sends the message, setting her phone down and looking back up at me. “He does that. But they handle threats of all kinds, too. I’ll put you in touch with his assistant so you can get the packet your dad gave you to him. He’ll let you know if he needs anything from there.”
I push out a breath. “I don’t know what I did to deserve all this help, but you have no idea how much I appreciate it,” I assure her.
Sera nods sagely. “Been there. And I wouldn’t be here to help you if I hadn’t had help, too. So just say thank you and take it, Tyler,” she teases.
I laugh unreservedly. “Thanks, Sera. You’re the best.”
She winks at me. “I know. Now, that was a good burger, but how do you feel about coconut cream pie?”
* * *
I spend the next couple of weeks waiting for Sera’s husband to do his thing. But thanks to Sera, I walk to the Dahlia Bakery daily for a coconut cream pie. Because damn, those things are good. She offers to take me on a chocolate walking tour that’s offered downtown, but I decline. It’s bad enough that I don’t have access to the community center gym right now. I have to be extra purposeful about cardio and strength training, and even then, I’m getting creative since I don’t have any equipment with me.
Joanie and I talked every night for the first few nights, but it started to get difficult to be so far from her and with nothing new to report, so we talked less frequently as the days passed.
The only day this week we’ve talked was Monday after Sera had me sign the ownership transfer paperwork. The relief I felt was real, and Joanie and I had some seriously hot phone sex that night. But right after, she asked me to come home. And I had to tell her I couldn’t. I could tell she was upset, but there wasn’t much to be done about it. So, I promised to call again when there was something to share. It’s been radio silence from us both since. Me, because I didn’t have anything to report. Her … well, she’s probably busy, but I also know it’s probably mostly because she’s upset. Hopefully less at me and more just at the situation, but it still leaves me on edge.
Finally, Bryce’s assistant calls asking me to come in the next day. I was starting to get antsy given that St. Patrick’s Day is two days away, and last I spoke to Joanie, they were full steam ahead on organizing an event as a cover to get signatures for the incorporation petition. I’ve used that to convince myself she’s been too busy to call. Either way, I miss her like crazy, and I was hoping I could be there.
So I’m glad to finally get moving again on solving this last sticky issue. I’m taken aback as I walk into Sera’s husband’s office. Bryce, with his height and muscles, reminds me so much of Nate, save Bryce’s hair, which is short and chestnut brown instead of tawny, and his eyes, which are blue, not hazel. But they both have that intimidating air. And suddenly, strangely, I miss Nate too.
Though to be fair, dressed in crisp khakis and a light blue button-front shirt, Bryce is much better dressed than Nate usually is. I fight a smirk at the thought and extend my hand.
“You must be Greg,” he greets me. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too, Bryce. Sera has told me a lot of good things about you,” I say.
“She’s my biggest fan,” he jokes. “And obviously, she’s told me things about you. Including the threats your father’s made against your girlfriend.”
I huff a sharp sigh and shake my head. “Yes, unfortunately. I’m sure she’s also told you it was part of his bid to regain complete control of the family property. Thankfully, your amazing wife was able to help me with that.”
“Sera’s good at what she does,” he replies with a glint in his eye. “And luckily, so am I.”
My brows raise. “You’ve got something? Already?”
“Oh, I’ve got what we need,” he assures me. “And while sharing the details with you would be unethical, let’s just say it didn’t take much digging to find evidence of serious misconduct by Joanie’s former employers that is related to the evidence they fabricated. And that releasing said fabricated evidence would also end up revealing their indiscretions.”
I choke down a laugh. “You’re going to blackmail them right back?” I ask incredulously.
Bryce contemplates that for a moment. “Strictly speaking, it isn’t blackmail. I’m simply pointing out to them that if they choose to disseminate false information about former employees, they will inadvertently be drawing attention to other information that isn’t false. You’d have to look closely, but it’s not hard to find. Thankfully, I’m under no legal obligation to report what I noticed, nor am I in any way guaranteeing it will never be revealed. Just not by me.” He smirks.
And there’s no better word for it: I’m gobsmacked. If Sera is a real estate whiz, this guy is her security counterpart. If what he’s saying is true, it sounds like he knows the exact line he shouldn’t cross and uses it fully to his advantage.
“Well, I’m glad you’re on my side,” I finally reply. “So what happens now?”
“The next step would be to approach the law firm.”
I ruminate on that, but I’m still unsure since I don’t know what information he has or if what he says is true; that this is all on the up and up.
“You’re sure there’s nothing illegal about this?”
Bryce leans back in his chair and crosses his legs. “I’m sure. I wouldn’t risk my company, you, or Joanie,” he assures me. Despite hardly knowing him, he’s got a very confident, reassuring air about him, and it’s hard not to trust him. Still …
“What would you do if you were in my shoes?” I ask.
“If it was Sera in this situation, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect her,” Bryce says without hesitation.
His words remind me that he’s done exactly that in the past and that he’s the reason my cousin is alive today. Moreover, he’s right. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect Joanie. So I nod resolutely. “Do it.”
Bryce smiles sheepishly. “Would you be mad if I told you I already did?”
I can’t help it; I burst out laughing. “Hell, no,” I assure him. “Are you serious?”
He shrugs, grinning now. “It was time-sensitive, so I had to act fast.”
“Damn,” I say, shaking my head and laughing. “I’m guessing it went well then?”
Bryce dips his chin in agreement. “They’ve agreed to destroy all the false evidence against Joanie. The partner who gave the information to your father’s attorney has warned him that if it ever gets out, they’ll ruin him — their words. And just to be safe,” Bryce adds, “I had the firm issue a public statement disclaiming any erroneous information about former employees that may have been leaked.”
I lean back in my chair, scrubbing my hands over my face. “Holy shit,” I say with a laugh. “I can’t even begin to thank you enough, Bryce.”
“I’m glad I was able to help,” he replies sincerely.
“I’m just having trouble wrapping my head around this. It’s over? Just like that?”
The corner of Bryce’s mouth tips into a smile. “Well, there was some posturing and threatening, but … yes, pretty much just like that,” he replies. “We take care of our clients, Greg. Especially ones that are related to my wife.”
I chuckle. “Well, I’m grateful for that, but you haven’t asked me to pay you anything yet, so am I really a client?” I point out.
Bryce grins. “Buy me a drink, and we’re even.”
“Right now?”
Bryce cocks his head to the side. “You know what? Yes. Right now. You game?”
I spread my arms and stand up. “Absolutely,” I reply. How can I turn him down after that?
Over whisky, Bryce gets me talking about Joanie and encourages me to return to her as soon as possible.
“I’m afraid she’s too mad at me,” I confess. “She asked me to come back a few days ago, but I said I couldn’t. I haven’t heard from her since.”
Bryce clasps my shoulder. “Life is short, Greg. Never let your woman forget how much you love her.”
He’s right. I’ve been an idiot. I’ve been aching to get back to Joanie; I just wasn’t expecting things to wrap up so quickly here. But I’m more than ready to go back. I resolve to head back to Alpine Ridge first thing in the morning. I’ll miss the St. Patrick’s Day event, but Joanie will be busy anyway. Better to show up after and grovel for forgiveness.
As I settle into bed that night, my heart feels lighter than in weeks. The obstacles ahead don’t seem so daunting anymore. I have a plan, allies, and, most importantly, Joanie.
I just hope she can forgive me for pushing her away, even if it was to protect her. I drift off to sleep, dreaming of her smile, her sass, and the feel of her in my arms.
Tomorrow, I’ll make things right. Tomorrow, I’ll remind her that she’s my everything. My partner, my love, my future.
And come what may, I’ll never let her doubt that again.