18. Eighteen
Eighteen
Luke
Jaxson Gibson’s office is tucked into an unassuming building downtown, the kind of place you’d walk right past without a second glance. But as soon as I step inside, I can tell this isn’t some fly-by-night operation. The space is sleek and professional—sleek furniture, abstract art on the walls, and a receptionist who greets me with a polite smile as she motions me toward a private conference room.
Jaxson is already waiting for me, standing by the window with his hands in his pockets. He’s bigger than I expected, with an air of quiet authority that immediately gives me trust in his abilities. This is a man who knows what he’s doing. I can only assume his quiet confidence stems from knowing everyone’s secrets.
“Mr. Sterling,” he says, turning to face me as I step inside. “I’ve been looking forward to this meeting.”
“Call me Luke,” I say, shaking his hand. His grip is firm, his expression unreadable.
“Luke, then.” He gestures toward the chair across from him at the table. “Have a seat. We’ve got a lot to cover.”
“What have you found?” I’m not in the mood for small talk, not with Crystal’s ‘engagement’ announcement already making the headlines.
“Marcus Davidson is exactly what you suspected , “ Jaxson opens a leather portfolio. “A corporate raider with a sophisticated methodology. He identifies vulnerable companies, usually family-owned operations, then systematically dismantles them from the inside out.”
My jaw clenches. “And Sterling Motors?”
“Is his current target.” Jaxson slides over several documents. “Your father’s company caught his attention a few years ago, right around the time your mother’s illness became public knowledge.”
“Son of a bitch.” The timing hits like a punch to the gut. “He was watching, waiting for Dad to get desperate.”
“Precisely. The medical bills, the experimental treatments—all of it created the perfect storm of vulnerability. That’s when he struck, offering what appeared to be a lifeline.”
“The loan. The stock options.”
Jaxson nods. “Which, combined with the board members he’s already compromised, puts him in striking distance of a controlling interest.”
“What happens if he gets controlling interest?” I ask, though I have a chilling feeling that I already know.
“With the shares he already holds,” Jaxson states, “and the influence he’s secured with the two other board members, If he calls for a vote of no confidence in your father or pushes for a major change in direction, he’ll have the numbers to make it happen.”
I grip the edge of the table, the weight of his words settling heavily on my chest. “So, what you’re saying is... he could force my dad out. Take the company.”
“Exactly,” Jaxson says, his tone matter-of-fact. “And from what we’ve found so far, that’s precisely what he’s planning.”
“Who on the board?”
“Robert Chen and William Hartley.” He shows me surveillance photos of Marcus meeting with both men. “They’re facing their own financial pressures, which Davidson is expertly exploiting.”
I recognize both names—Chen’s been with the company since before I was born, and Hartley was one of Dad’s closest friends. “Can we turn them?”
“That’s where it gets interesting.” Jaxson leans forward. “My team has uncovered evidence of Davidson’s pattern with previous acquisitions. It’s... not pretty.”
He spreads out more documents—newspaper clippings, financial reports, court filings. A pattern emerges: companies gutted, promises broken, showing former owners left with nothing.
“In every case,” Jaxson continues, “he made similar promises to board members. Support the takeover, keep your position, and maybe even advance. Know how many actually benefited?”
“None of them,” I guess.
“Worse. Many ended up facing criminal charges when Davidson’s less-than-legal methods came to light. He’s very good at leaving others holding the bag.”
Hope flares. “So if we show Chen and Hartley what happened to their counterparts in other companies...”
“They might reconsider their alliance.” Jaxson gathers the documents. “But we need more time. Concrete evidence, not just patterns and possibilities.”
“How long?”
“Two weeks, maybe three. My team is close to accessing some very interesting offshore accounts.”
I think about Crystal’s announcement, Lila waiting back at the duplex, and Dad finally starting to fight back. “The balloon payment is coming due. I don’t know if we have that long.”
“Which brings us to the engagement announcement.” Jaxson’s expression is knowing. “Quite the timely leak by Davidson’s people.”
“I never agreed to—“
“No, but it works in our favor.” He holds up a hand when I start to protest. “Think about it. Davidson believes he has you cornered. The more secure he feels, the more likely he is to get sloppy.”
“You want me to play along?” The idea turns my stomach. “Pretend I’m happy about marrying Crystal while you dig for more dirt?”
“I want you to give my team time to build an ironclad case.” His voice softens slightly. “Look, I understand there are... personal complications. But if we move too soon, Davidson will bury the evidence and accelerate his timeline. Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”
I think about Dad, finally showing signs of life again. About the hundreds of employees who depend on Sterling Motors. About Lila...
“She’ll understand,” Jaxson says quietly.
“What?”
“The neighbor. The chef.” At my surprised look, he shrugs. “It’s my job to know things, Luke. And from what I’ve observed, she seems like someone who would understand.”
“I can’t ask her to—“
“To what? Wait a few weeks while you protect your family’s legacy. From what I’ve seen, neither of you has any other choice.”
He’s right, damn him. And Lila would tell me to do whatever it takes to save the company. But after last night...
“You have until the payment is due,” I say finally. “Three weeks.”
“I’ll have my team work around the clock.” He starts typing on his laptop. “In the meantime, I suggest you call your... fiancée. Act appropriately surprised and happy about the announcement. Maybe even schedule a celebration dinner.”
The thought makes me nauseous, but I nod. “What about Chen and Hartley?”
“Leave them to us for now. I’ll arrange to have some information about Davidson’s previous ventures find its way to them. Plant seeds of doubt.”
“And my father?”
“Tell him the basics but not the details. The less he knows about our investigation, the more genuine his reactions will be. Davidson’s watching him closely. ”
I stand, feeling the weight of what I’m agreeing to. “Alright. Three weeks.”
“One more thing.” Jaxson’s voice stops me at the door. “The neighbor—Lila. Be careful how much time you spend with her. Davidson’s people may be watching you both.”
The implication sends a chill down my spine. “You think he’d—“
“I think Marcus Davidson got where he is by covering all the bases.” Jaxson’s eyes are hard. “Protect her by keeping your distance. At least until we have what we need.”
Outside, I sit in my car for a long time, staring at my phone. Finally, I pull up Crystal’s number.
“Luke!” She answers on the first ring. “Have you seen the announcement? Daddy’s PR team did such an amazing job!”
“Yeah,” I manage. “It’s... perfect.”
“Oh, I know we hadn’t officially decided, but Daddy said the timing was right, and you know how he is about these things...”
I let her chatter on, making appropriate noises of agreement. When she suggests a celebration dinner this weekend, I agree with that, too.
Then I pull up Lila’ s number, my finger hovering over the call button. But Jaxson’s warning echoes in my head.
Instead, I type out a text: ‘ Meeting ran long. Need to handle some things in town. Talk soon.’
Her reply comes quickly: ‘ Everything okay?’
No. Nothing about this is okay. But I write: ‘ Just a lot going on. Will explain when I can.’
After a moment, she sends back a simple heart emoji. Because, of course, she does. Because she’s Lila, and she understands even when I can’t explain.
I start the car, pointing it westward instead of toward home. Toward Crystal and her father’s games, away from what I really want.
The Davidson estate makes my family’s home look modest. Everything screams new money—from the gaudy fountains to the gold-plated door handles. Crystal’s waiting in the foyer, wearing something stylish and expensive.
“Luke!” She throws herself at me, and I force myself to catch her, to smile like I’m happy to be here. “Isn’t this exciting? Daddy’s arranged everything!”
Speaking of the devil, Marcus Davidson descends the curved staircase like he’s making an entrance. “Luke, my boy! Welcome to the family—officially, that is.”
His handshake is too firm, his smile too sharp. I think of Jaxson’s warnings and match his grip. “Marcus. Quite the surprise announcement.”
“Oh, sometimes you have to take initiative in life.” He steers us toward his study. “Crystal, give us a moment to discuss business?”
She pouts but complies, leaving me alone with the man who’s trying to destroy my family’s legacy. The study is exactly what you’d expect—oversized desk, pretentious art, everything designed to intimidate.
“Drink?” He doesn’t wait for my answer, pouring two fingers of scotch that probably costs more than most people make in a week.
“The announcement was premature,” I say, accepting the glass but not drinking.
“Nonsense.” He settles behind his desk. “The timing is perfect. Sterling Motors’ stock jumped three points just on the rumor of our families officially joining forces. ”
Of course, it did because that was his plan all along.
“The celebration dinner,” I say instead of what I want to. “Saturday night?”
“Excellent.” His smile widens. “Crystal’s already invited half of Jacksonville’s society pages. Your father will attend, of course?”
“He’s still not feeling well—“
“Insist.” The word carries steel beneath its polish. “It would look... unfortunate if he missed his only son’s engagement celebration.”
I grip my glass tighter, thinking of Jaxson’s timeline. I just have to play this game for three weeks.
“I’ll make sure he’s there.”
“Perfect.” Marcus stands. “Now, let’s not keep my daughter waiting. She’s already talking about venue options.”
The drive home is a blur of anger and frustration. My phone rings—Dad.
“The announcement’s already online,” he says without preamble. “Son, you don’t have to do this. ”
“Yes, I do.” I stare out at the darkening sky. “Just for a little while longer. Jaxson, the PI, is close to having everything we need.”
“Luke—“
“Three weeks, Dad. That’s all we need. Can you trust me that long?”
A long pause. “I trust you. But this game Marcus is playing—it’s dangerous.”
“I know.” I think of Lila, of how understanding she’ll be, and how that almost makes it worse. “The celebration dinner is Saturday night. Marcus was insistent that you attend.”
“Of course he was.” Dad sighs. “What time?”
“Eight, at The Capital Grille.”
“I’ll be there.” Another pause. “Have you talked to Lila?”
“No.” The word feels like glass in my throat. “But I will—I’m headed home now. Jaxson suggested we not spend time together.”
“Ah.” So much understanding in that single syllable. “She’s tougher than she looks, son.”
“That’s what scares me.”
After we hang up, I continue the drive home. I enter my apartment, walk out onto the back deck, and wait for Lila to join me.
She opens the sliding glass door, still wearing her apron, flour dusted across one cheek.
“I was stress baking,” she explains, stepping back to let me in. The kitchen smells like cinnamon and warmth and everything I have to stay away from.
She leads me to her couch, her hazel eyes soft, sitting close enough that our knees touch. “Tell me everything.”
So I tell her about Jaxson’s investigation, Marcus’s pattern of destroying companies, and the evidence they’re gathering. I tell her how he needs time to build a case strong enough to stop him.
“Jaxson thinks it’s safer if we... if I keep my distance from you,” I finish, watching her face carefully. “Marcus may have people watching, and if he suspects anything...”
“Hey.” She takes my hand, threading our fingers together. “I get it. You need a little time—then it will be over. ”
“I have to play along,” I say roughly. “The engagement dinner is this weekend. And I can’t be seen with you, can’t risk Marcus figuring out the way I feel—“
“Luke.” She cups my face with her free hand. “I understand. Truly. Do what you need to do to protect your family’s company.”
I lean forward, resting my forehead against hers. “Thank you for understanding.” Then I brush away the dusting of flour on her cheek with my lips.
“You’re welcome,” she teases, but her voice catches. “Just... be careful. Marcus Davidson doesn’t strike me as someone who loses gracefully.”
“Three weeks,” I promise. “Then I’m taking you on a proper date. No complications, no pretending, just us.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” She kisses me softly, briefly. “Now go. Before I try to convince you to stay.”
Standing, I turn to her one last time, not wanting to leave. “Lila...”
“I know.” She wraps her arms around herself. “ Me too.”
Leaving out the back, I somehow feel lighter. Because even though I can’t see her, can’t be with her, at least she knows the truth. At least she understands.
Three weeks. I can do anything for three weeks. I just hope Lila will still be waiting for me when it’s over.