Chapter 26
Ididn’t realize the magnitude of leaving the firm would have on the organization’s entire network. Now that Massey and her dad have followed me, a lot of clients have pulled from their services. I never realized how oblivious I was to the behind-the-scenes workings that my father did. The exact definition of a spoiled brat, if I say so myself.
I haven’t told Collins any of this, as she already feels at fault for the fallout with my father. Now he’s dealing with a multi-million loss. I don’t want her to feel like it’s her fault. She is only at fault for showing me the world without rose-colored glasses. Today, I see a vibrant life, and I swear once you see it, you will never go back.
Our house is our haven from the heaviness of the outside world. We are currently getting ready for this inessential meeting. My father has been begging and trying to bargain with me and Mr. Withers to come back. In the beginning, it was dangling promotions, money, commissions, and monetary perks. Once he realized we didn’t respond to those kinds of bargains, threats then took over. He must think a face-to-face will have us cowering in fear. All my life, he has pushed me to do more. Have better grades, better class standing, take no prisoners in court. I helped take our firm to the next level. But none of that matters now. When life breathes new life into your lungs, there’s no going back to the toxic side of life.
My eyes gaze at the mirror as I fix my tie. Over my shoulder, I watch the love of my life getting dressed. In her silky satin underwear and bra, she’s throwing clothes around the room. Her toned, tanned legs shift back and forth. My eyes trace up the back of her body to her toned, tight ass. The golden lingerie makes her whole body glow. A few shirts and skirts, with tags, land on the bed. I love she wants to make a good impression on me. I prefer her in her most natural state as she is right now.
Collins swipes up a pencil skirt, then rushes into the closet, coming out with one of my blue button-up work shirts. It goes perfectly with her light makeup and beige pencil skirt. She’s tucking in one sit of the shirt into the skirt. God, she looks breathtaking. Her hands dig into her scalp, working her fingers through her messy mane. She expertly pulls it into a messy bun. Looks like she took time to style it when, in reality, it took less than five minutes.
I grab my suit jacket and drape it over my forearm while I stare at her. She drops onto the bed and grabs the heels she borrowed from Massey. Maybe my mind is slowing time when she slips her feet into the pair of heels. She really doesn’t see how beautiful she is, inside and out. She stares up at me as she stands. She throws her hands out to the side, she spins on her heels, waiting for approval.
I smile, taking full advantage, looking her up and down. “Better naked.”
She gleams at my response. Pointing to me, “You too. But does this look okay? Victor, I’ve never done this before.” Her arms rake up and down her body.
“You look perfect, baby.” I hold my arm out for her to take. She loops her hand under my arm and rests her palm on the inside of my elbow. Dressed to the nines, or down to nothing, this woman adapts to anything life throws her way. I open the passenger car door and let her sink into the expensive leather seats. Her tiny stature makes these seats seem like they would swallow her whole. When she settles, I softly shut the door.
As we drive to the office, I am a nervous wreck. I have my hand in hers the entire drive. When we arrive, I put the car in park and squeeze her hand.
“I just need a minute.” We sit in silence for a few moments as I look beyond her at the door. I don’t regret a single thing. It’s the uncertainty of what my father might say or bring up to paint me in an unpleasant light. “Baby, whatever happens, or whatever is said, please don’t think differently of me. My father can be a harsh man. I just need you to know that I love you.”
“I love you too. I’ve got your back, Victor. So does Mr. Withers and Massey.”
Her thumb rubs over the top of my hand, and the gentle gesture soothes the perturbation. Replacing with feeling more confident and powerful than I ever have. As a single man, I did whatever I wanted to excel in life. I used to get home to an empty house. In the solace of my ego, I never saw it as lonely. Here, with her, I feel the world of light and warmth. A deeper understanding of empathy and love.
Laying a peck against her soft, nude painted lips, we head inside. Massey and Mr. Withers meet us in the foyer, and together we walk into the conference room. My dad sits at the front of the table in a power-play move. A classic ruse I’ve watched him use time and time again. Mr. Withers takes the opposite end, settling his briefcase on the edge of the table. Swiftly clicking open the locks, he pulls files and bound documents from the case. He strategically places the paperwork in a unified order.
“Good morning,” Harry snickers with the largest inauthentic smile. He stands making his way over to us. Extending his hand toward Collins, he tilts his head higher. Essentially turning his nose up toward her. “You must be Collins?”
He extends his hand toward her. Collins takes it, giving it a strong grip back. I can tell he’s taken back, but he quickly recovers from the momentary hesitation. She is a mechanic with tiny, freakishly powerful hands.
“Pleasure, sir, I have heard a great deal about you,” she boldly states.
“All good things, I hope.” He smugly states.
Collins hums in response.
“Thank you, Collins and Massey, but I think it’s time for both of you to go now.” Harry gestures to the door.
“No, they stay,” Mr. Withers says firmly without looking up from his paperwork.
“I have a vested interest in this firm. I’d like to see how my money is working.” Massey settles into a seat next to her dad. She angles her chair to appear like she is sitting side by side with her dad. Her hands settle into her lap. Offering a snobbish grin, which settles my nervousness.
“Well, Collins, I think you can agree that this is a private family and business matter. Young lady, you can see yourself out.” Harry gestures to the door, continuing his power play.
She doesn’t deserve this attitude. “No, she is with me, and I have asked for her to be here.”
“Did you get married and didn’t tell me?” Harry’s snarky question tugs at my lips.
I am refraining from smiling as best I can. As much fun as it would be to tease this situation, I am no liar and I need to make a point. “No, not married. Not yet, at least. But her name is a part of this firm. She also has a vested interest in the firm and should also see what her money is doing.”
“She does?” Harry gawks offensively toward Collins.
I glance at her from the corner of my eye to see how she’s responding to this interaction. Power plays are a chess game. It’s a bluff, and she isn’t on any of the documents. I just need my father to back the fuck up. Her name will be a part of this firm when she marries me, but that is just talk at this time.
“Fine.” He raises his head at me, accepting that minor defeat. “Now, about the clients you stole. They must have failed to read the entire contract between them and my firm. If they leave before the contracted time, they will owe us millions. Did you tell them that when you snaked them from under me?”
“We didn’t take any clients from you. We didn’t even give notice to anyone when we left. They came and found us,” Mr. Withers corrects him.
“Did you forget I wrote the contracts they signed? Did you fail to remember that simple fact? Section twenty-nine, paragraph five, Line seven, states that they may withdraw the contract anytime if the firm cannot uphold the terms stated forth. You violated these clients’ contracts the moment you changed my documents. You were not an assigned lawyer or person in my cases. The moment you told me you changed the documents for my case, I went back a little further. Turns out you’ve been doing this for a while now. I’ve caught a few in the past and turned a blind eye as you were my father and my boss,” I inform him.
“I am still your father. Watch your tongue.” He sweats.
“Were, you were my father. You lost that title when you attempted to sell me out last year. Why do you think I jumped at the opportunity to leave New York?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I had been looking for a way to leave the firm. The Lansing case where they were to buy out a business and liquidate it and the employees. I developed a plan to save the business, and before I could present the idea, you told both companies my plan. Causing Marcus to take over the deal because Lansing felt that my head wasn’t in the game. I could have made them three times the money, saving that building, and you told them I wasn’t prepared.” I go on with my list. “And the company that was being bought told their employees that we were working to save everything. They showed up one day and had no clue they lost their jobs.”
“That is not why they hired us. You went in and decided what was better for them. Why couldn’t you just do what you were told?” Harry yells.
“Because it was the right thing to do! I’ve let it go on far too long. I’ve been blinded by this cut-throat profession by money. Money that brought me nothing!” I take a breath, trying to calm myself. “By the way, the deal for the property here that I was against the motion. They have also pulled from your firm and have hired us. The deal is dead in the water, and they have moved to a well-suited area where it is welcomed. Just as I suggested.”
I watch my father falter in stature. His realization of his actions is finally catching up to him.
“I gave you everything on a golden platter and you just turn your back on it? I built you a life of luxury.”
“You gave me a false sense of pride. I worked hard to be top of my class. The reason I was at the top of the firm was because of my hard work. And what did all of that bring me? Not a goddamn thing.”
“I can’t condone any of this. Especially with that tramp that sits next to you. You want to fall in line with the lower class, so be it. You are cut off from your inheritance.” He makes his threat.
His words fuel the fire that has been burning under my skin. His words breathe the truth of his feelings. I am finally seeing the man everyone spoke about. His temper, his slick ass tongue, the vindictive and calculated words.
“Talk about my future wife that way again, and I’ll be sure to hit you hard at your bottom line. Since that matters most to you. I can have the IRS and FBI come in and see how your funds are being handled. Does insider trading sound familiar to you?”
There it is, the fear I was looking for. He was always on top of the clients and their deals, but he was a horrible lawyer. Money became a more important object.
“As far as my inheritance, I cashed that in and donated to several nonprofit organizations. What I’m doing here is all funded by what I have saved or sold off back in New York. I have cut myself off from you for good.” I dig the knife in deeper.
Sputtering words of displeasure, he finally stomps out of the office. He’s yanking his phone out of his pocket, tapping furiously at the screen. I get a sick sense of satisfaction watching him in fight and flight mode. Damn, it feels good finally having leverage in my life.
“Holy shit, that was brilliant.” Massey lets out a breath.
“Thanks, Massey, and thank you, Mr. Withers, for the information. I promise if anything comes up, I’m the one they will look at.”
“They won’t look at us anymore, but I appreciate the gesture. Massey, let’s head home and have dinner with Lawson. I believe there is a lot to tell him,” Mr. Withers states.
“Collins, before you say anything, your name is not on anything,” I blurt.
She lets off an enormous sigh. “Oh, thank God! Christ, I almost had a heart attack. I don’t remember signing anything.”
Massey lets out a hearty laugh, and makes the whole room giggle with her. “Wow! Well played Victor.”
“Your dad almost shit his pants. Wish we had a photo to frame here at the office.” Mr. Withers can barely hold it together.
Collins still has a worried look on her face. “Baby, your name will only be in association with me when we get married, okay?”
“When?” Massey squeaks.
Collins smiles big, and everyone looks at her, but her eyes fixate on mine. Her chest rises and falls heavily. A small pang of worry paints my chest. Maybe I’ve spoken too soon about marriage? “Whenever I propose, I mean. If that’s what you want.”
Here I am, again, begging for acceptance. Her smile is all I need for a yes, and she is wearing a big smile now.
“I’ll let you know whenever you propose.” She scrunches her nose at me, easing the pinch in my chest.
Well, fuck. That backfired. But, God, I couldn’t love her more. “No choice to accept, huh? How about some dinner?”
“Oh, tacos? I could go for some fish tacos!” She claps her hands together.
“Sounds good. Mr. Withers and Massey, why don’t you call Lawson and Leland? Let’s give everyone the good news together?” I decide to invite everyone for dinner. We are officially free of these chains.
“Couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate.” Mr. Withers nods his head.
“I’ll call Lawson and he will get everyone over to yours. How about we pick up the food?” Massey offers.
“Deal! We will grab the beer,” Collins offers.
“Let’s go, baby.” I hold my hand out.
We head our separate ways for now. I came into the office a nervous boy and left a confident man. There is power in taking control of your life and money does not count on that. For the very first time in my life, I feel at ease. There is no expectation or cloud of judgment. Just a life to live.
I dare anyone to step in the way of me and my family again.