Chapter Twenty-Eight
Max
Let’s do this, I told myself quietly as I straightened my tie for the tenth time, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves.
The sooner I could get this over with, the better.
Irina walked toward me, her heels clattering on the floor. “They’re ready for you.”
I squared my shoulders and faced her. “How do I look?”
“Great,” she answered with a smile. “Handsome. Dignified.”
I grinned. “So, not like a biker thug?”
Irina chuckled, then she patted both my shoulders. “You’ll do great.”
I sure hoped so. I smoothed the front of my suit and fixed my watch, then I stepped out on the stage that had been prepared specifically for my first press conference. Amid the sea of camera flashes, I took my place behind the podium, gripping the sides with both hands.
For a moment, I paused just to take in the crowd, not expecting the room to be so full. I’d never been in front of so many people. Then again, I supposed it was something I’d have to get used to.
I did promise Irina I would take my duties more seriously from now on, and I meant it.
“Thank you all for coming,” I started. “As you all probably know by now, I’m Max Shelton, CEO of Xosmo. I’m six-foot-two and two-hundred and five pounds. At least, that’s what social media says.”
Chuckles and smiles broke out across the room.
Good. Irina told me to charm them for now. I could butt heads with them later. It seemed I had succeeded. I had their attention. Now, it was time to convince them to take my side.
I continued in a more serious tone. “Earlier today, news came out of the many criminal charges against Clyde Roarke, son of Robert Roarke. I’m sure you’ve all seen it and formed your own opinions about him, insightful as you all are. I will not speak of the charges since the matter is in the hands of the courts now, but I wanted to let you all know that I will also be filing my own civil lawsuit against Clyde Roarke for spreading that malicious video of me.”
My announcement elicited gasps from among the crowd of journalists, who were now eagerly waiting for my next words.
“Yes, I have evidence,” I told them. “And I’ll even tell you the reason why he did it: because he was a coward who wasn’t man enough to have a conversation with me.”
That concluded the bit about Clyde. Now, for the harder, more important part.
I drew a breath. “As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve been a coward, too, for the past few years. Taking charge of a company was a role my grandfather and my father tried to prepare me for all my life, but when the moment came, I still found it to be too much. I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the responsibility thrust upon me, suffocated by the expectations I had to meet. Like most of us do when life gets to be too much, I ran away to keep myself from breaking. But I’m done running. For the past few years, while my wonderful sister led the company to new heights…” I paused to throw a grateful glance at her. “I studied, and I gathered my wits, and did my best to prepare myself to fill my grandfather’s and father’s shoes, and now, I can proudly say I am ready.”
Irina and several other people from Xosmo applauded.
“And the first thing I’m doing? Cutting ties with Roarke Industries and choosing to work with smaller, startup companies with talented people and great ideas from all over the world. I want to bring about more creative and meaningful technological innovations, which we will be telling you more about in the coming months.”
There was another round of applause, this time both from the people in the company and the press.
“Oh, and one more thing.” I took off my tie and my jacket. “No more suits in the office. We’re going more casual.”
I heard cheers of approval from backstage.
I took a bow. “Thank you.”
Once again, cameras flashed. Hands went up in the air.
Irina’s secretary stepped forward. “Mr. Shelton will just be taking five questions.” Then she pointed to a man in the navy blue suit in front.
He stood up. “Mr. Shelton, I’m Pete Barnes from Channel Eight News. Are you saying that video of you is fake?”
“Good morning, Mr. Barnes,” I greeted him. “It was edited, yes. But I will admit that I do like bikes and dirt bike racing. Maybe I’ll let you know the next time I participate in a race.”
Another reporter stood up. “So, you’re not in a biker gang?”
Technically, it was a motorcycle club.
“I have friends who love bikes and who are some of the most trustworthy people I’ve ever met,” I answered.
“Aren’t you worried that it’s a little too late to step up now?” a female reporter asked next.
“I am,” I confessed. “But I’d like to think it’s never too late in life to do the right thing.”
The next question came from an older man wearing glasses. “Since Roarke Industries is in hot water, there’s a chance it will go bankrupt. Would you be willing to buy out the company in that case?”
I touched my chin as I pondered the question. “I’d be willing to offer the honest, capable workers who are laid off jobs, since I do have some plans for future expansions, but no, I don’t think Xosmo will buy Roarke Industries.”
Irina’s secretary pointed to a woman in her twenties who had been enthusiastically raising her hand for the past three minutes. “Last question.”
The young woman stood up. “Lisa Tanner from NewBiz.com. I was just wondering if you’re married or engaged since that information has not been released.”
My eyebrows arched. “It hasn’t?”
She chuckled.
“Well, Ms. Tanner, I’m happy to say that I am seeing someone very special,” I said. “And do you think you can keep a secret?”
She shrugged. “Yes?”
Some others chuckled.
“I might just propose. Hopefully, she says yes.”
“Can you give us a name?” Lisa asked.
“I’m sorry, but that’s enough questions,” Irina’s secretary answered for me. “Thank you all for your time.”
Irina ushered me backstage and then gave me a hug. “See. I told you, you’d do great.”
I let out a breath of relief. “I’m just glad it’s over.”
She nodded. “Do you want to have lunch with me to celebrate?”
“That sounds good, but…”
“Let me guess.” She put a hand on her hip. “Lauren’s waiting for you at the mansion?”
“In Kentucky, actually,” I answered. “Everyone is. Billie’s is finally back in business, and there’s a celebration there tonight.”
“Cool. You’ll say hi to everyone for me?”
“Sure.”
Irina had gotten to know the members of Black Storm while they were staying at the mansion after Lauren’s rescue, and they were all friends now.
She put her hand on my shoulder. “And promise me you’ll behave.”
“I will,” I promised her. “And I’ll be there for the meeting tomorrow.”
“You better be.”
I started to leave, but Irina grabbed my hand.
“Are you really proposing?” she asked.
I shrugged. “We’ll see.”
I’d been carrying around my grandmother’s ring since I found it back at the mansion, but I hadn’t decided if I was going to pop the question, or when.
Irina patted my shoulder. “Well, good luck. And tell Lauren hello.”
“I will,” I promised her.
I couldn’t wait to see Lauren again. The thought was enough to put a smile on my face.
Of course, I was excited to see the rest of the gang at Billie’s, too. Everyone had been through so much lately, and now that things had settled, a celebration was well-deserved.
I just knew it was going to be a blast.
“To Black Storm!” Jake raised his glass.
“To Black Storm!” everyone in the place echoed.
“And to the new and improved Billie’s!”
“To Billie’s!”
As I took a sip of my whiskey, I looked around. The place looked new and improved all right, the Black Storm emblem bigger and shinier, the furniture all brand new, the bar larger. I was just glad that it was back in business, though, that Black Storm had a home again. Sure, Jake’s house wasn’t bad, but this—this was home.
And the members of Black Storm looked right at home, drinking and dancing and laughing. It was as if all that shit with the Devils and Clyde Roarke never went down.
“It’s good to see the gang back together, isn’t it?” George remarked, leaning on the counter.
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“And it’s good to see Jake back to his old self,” George added. “There is really no one else who can lead Black Storm but him.”
“I think so, too,” I said, watching Jake dancing with Lauren. “When he said he was going to step down, I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen. I’m just glad no one wanted him to.”
“That’s Jake, though, always putting himself last. It’s a good thing he found someone who makes him happy.”
He did look happy right now. Both he and Lauren did. And I was happy, too. Wade didn’t look it, though.
“Is she supposed to be dancing?” he grumbled in his seat.
“Why not?” I answered. “She’s dancing with Jake. And everyone here is family.”
“Right,” George said. “No more traitors.”
I glanced at him. “So, did Randy join the Devils?”
“Nah, I heard he moved out of town.”
I nodded. “I see.”
It was unfortunate but fitting, considering what he’d done. Even I didn’t think I could forgive him or want to see him again.
“Maybe the Devils will, too,” George added. “I heard they’re scared of Black Storm now. It seems like a few of them were there when you guys rescued Lauren and took down Roarke.”
Were they? I didn’t see any sign of them, but maybe that was because they went into hiding the moment they saw our numbers and our gear.
I grinned as I imagined them fleeing with their tails between their legs. “They better not mess with Black Storm ever again.”
“Better not,” Wade echoed.
I wanted to tell him to take things easy since he still hadn’t fully recovered from his injury, but I just knew he wasn’t going to listen.
Lauren approached the bar with an empty glass. “Can I have another virgin chocolate martini, please?”
“Coming right up,” George replied.
My eyebrows furrowed. “Chocolate martini?”
I didn’t recall George making such fancy drinks before. I supposed he upgraded his bartending skills.
“No alcohol?” Wade asked.
“Nope,” Lauren answered. “Just the way I like it. I’ve learned my lesson from last time.”
“Good,” Wade said.
She looked at the glass in my hand. “You guys just go on and drink. I’ll drive us home later.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Really?”
Wade looked at me. “I thought you had a driver. And a bodyguard.”
“I sent them away,” I said, wanting to forget about being a CEO for one more night. “I was actually thinking I’d rather have you as my bodyguard.”
Wade’s eyes narrowed. “You want me to work for you?”
“Do you want to?”
He shrugged. “I’ll think about it.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Lauren said, looking at Wade. “That way, you’ll have stuff to do. You might actually be busier in the future.”
Wade’s forehead creased. “What do you mean?”
I was curious to know the answer as well.
“Nothing,” Lauren said, shrugging, then she grabbed her non-alcoholic chocolate martini after George put it down on the counter. “Oh, by the way, maybe you shouldn’t drink too much after all. I’ve got something important to say later.”
Then she left. Now, I was even more curious.
What was it she wanted to tell us?
“You’re not leaving us, are you?” I asked Lauren moments after we got back to Jake’s house, unable to contain my anxiety any longer.
Now that Clyde Roarke was no longer a threat, she could go back to her old life, maybe return to school. What if she no longer wanted to stay with us?
“Of course not, silly,” Lauren answered, putting my mind at ease.
“Then what is it you wanted to tell us?” Wade asked.
“Is something wrong?” Jake asked as well.
Lauren sat on the couch in the living room and gestured for the three of us to take a seat. I did, eager to finally find out her news. Jake and Wade did, too, all of us holding our breath.
“Do you remember when you persuaded me to go to a doctor after you rescued me?” Lauren asked.
Jake nodded. “You had a gash on your leg.”
“And we wanted to make sure you were fine,” I added. “Why?”
She touched the pendant of her necklace, usually a sign that she was nervous. Now, I was getting nervous as well.
“Did the doctor tell you something?” I asked.
Lauren nodded. “Well, the doctor found out something.”
“What?” Wade asked before I could.
She drew a deep breath. “I’m…pregnant.”
The word made my racing heart skid to a halt. Pregnant?
“Holy shit,” Wade muttered.
Jake’s jaw dropped. “Wait. You mean you’re having a baby?”
“Yes,” Lauren answered. “That’s usually what being pregnant means.”
“The doctor is sure about it?” I asked.
Lauren nodded. “He ran some tests. It’s too soon for an ultrasound, but the blood test confirmed it.”
Jake got up and grabbed Lauren’s hand. “Well, that’s great news.”
He gave Lauren a hug, but she just furrowed her eyebrows. “It is? I mean, I don’t even know who the father is.”
“That’s fine.” Jake cupped her face. “At least, I don’t mind. I’ll still treat your child like my own.”
“So will I,” I said, standing up. “I don’t know if I’ll make a great dad, but I’ll do my best. I’ll provide for you and the baby, of course.”
“I’m not going anywhere either,” Wade said. “I never thought of being a father, but then again, I never thought I’d fall in love again either.”
Love? This was definitely the first time I had heard Wade use that word.
“I actually have something for you.”
As Wade put his hand inside his jacket pocket, I wondered if he had a ring for Lauren, too. Instead, he showed her a carved butterfly.
“I made this for you while I was recovering from my injury,” Wade said as he placed it in Lauren’s palm. “I wanted to thank you for coming into my life and to let you know how much I’ve come to love you. I know I’ve messed up before, and I can’t promise I won’t mess up again, but I’ll do my best not to. I’ll be the best man I can be for you, Lauren. And for your child. Our child.”
“Oh, Wade.” Lauren wrapped her arms around him. “I love you, too.”
Then she looked at Jake and me.
“I love all of you,” she said, tears brimming in her eyes. “And I’d love it if all of you became the fathers of my child. Our child.”
“It would be my pleasure and my honor.” Jake hugged her and planted a kiss on the top of her head. “I actually made something for you as well.”
He picked up the parcel sitting beside the couch, something in a frame. Lauren tore off the brown paper wrapping and gave a radiant smile.
“A drawing? Of me?”
Jake nodded. “I would have tattooed it on me, but then I wouldn’t have been able to give it to you.”
Lauren chuckled. “True.”
“And I want to give you everything, all the happiness in the world. But for now, I’m giving you my heart and everything I have, all of me. Forever.”
Lauren exhaled. “Oh, Jake.”
I watched as they hugged, warmth flooding my chest. I felt the same as Wade and Jake. So what if Lauren wasn’t mine alone? All that mattered was that she was mine. Forever.
“I have something for you, too,” I said as I went down on one knee, then I took out the velvet box from my pocket.
Lauren gasped, speechless.
I opened the box so she could see the ring inside. “Lauren Andrews, I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you, and I offer you this ring as my promise to love you and our child for as long as I live.”
I took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger. Jake went down on one knee as well, kissing her hand. Wade did the same.
“I can’t believe it,” Lauren said with tears trickling down her cheeks as she held her hand to her chest. “I never thought I’d feel so loved and so happy.”
“We love you, and we want you to be happy. We will make you happy for the rest of our lives,” Jake told her.
“We’ve got you,” Wade promised. “And you’ll always have us. Always.”
Lauren wiped her tears. “Thank you.”
Then she pulled each of us to our feet and took our hands in hers.
“The three of you have made me the luckiest and happiest woman alive,” she said, her green eyes shimmering with joy and love. “I promise I’ll do my best to make you happy, too, to be everything you need, and to love you, all of you, more and more each day.”
That was all I needed to hear, joy bursting in my chest. As I looked over at Wade and Jake, I could see how their faces were lit up as well, happier than I’d ever seen them before. From this day forward, the four of us were a family, maybe not the usual kind, but a family just the same, and nothing, and no one was ever going to tear us apart.