Chapter Twelve #2
I’ve been stuck in meetings all damn day, trying to tie loose ends for one of our campaigns for the governor in the spring. It’s months away, but we need the extra time to plan.
Everything will be dripping in roses and diamonds.
Important figures will be there. A good impression is imperative or else votes will go to shit.
I’d rather not have to take out the other running governor, so you bet your ass Goodman’s campaign is going to be unlike any other.
Besides, I need to get on his good side since he’s Shelby's father.
I have my plan now, I just needed the answer to all the questions I’d been chasing. That is blonde curls, round eyes, and a constellation of freckles.
Sitting at my desk, I rummage through the piles of papers for each company we partnered with today. I secured four major contracts and that isn’t including the campaign in the spring.
I roll the sleeves of my shirt up and rub a hand over my face, looking at the mess on my desk. It was a good business day, but I’m fucking exhausted. The better half of my morning was spent completing hits to secure some of the contracts today.
“Don’t look too stressed, this isn’t even half of it.” I hear Mitchell say in the doorway.
Flicking my eyes to him, I see he’s wearing a suit like normal. A smug smile pulls his lips and amusement dances in his cold eyes. Not even a glimmer of pride for what I’ve accomplished today.
“I’m not stressed, just tired. It’s been a long day,” I say, keeping my eyes on the papers I’m sorting through. I don’t want to give him the time of day. I have to give what little is left to Sunny.
“Get used to it. When you become owner, you’re going to have a lot of these days.” He sits in the chair in front of my desk. “And not only the company politics, but the social ones. The household politics. A wife. children. It’s endless.”
I roll my eyes. “Funny, I don’t recall you being a hitman while running the company. As much as I’d love to sit here and talk about my future, I have obligations to tend to.” I dismiss him.
He doesn’t budge from the seat as a sadistic smile spreads on his face. “Unless it’s a wife and children, or the company, those obligations don’t matter.”
“Interesting, because the wife and children obligation didn’t seem to matter to you, either.”
“I did what I needed to do to provide for my family.”
“Okay, Mitchell. You keep telling yourself that. Now I need to go do what I need to do to support my family.” I stack the papers and pack my things.
“You have an obligation to this company, Tyler. If late nights are necessary, then you just have to deal. You’ve learned your lesson about avoiding tasks in initiation.”
I sling my bag over my shoulder. “Have a good night, Mitchell.” I walk out the door and grab my phone to see a text from Cole.
She is doing really well. Small, but fiery.
I smile at my brother’s words.
I already knew that.
SUNNY
With shaky hands, I bring the trembling water bottle to my mouth. I’m being put to work. The evidence of it sliding down my skin in sweaty tendrils. Cole and Anthony playfully swat and taunt one another, all skills they just passed onto me obliterated as they fight like two drunk girls.
“Don’t be a little bitch come on, come on,” Cole taunts.
Anthony somehow smacks Cole on the head, making sweat splatter from his long, dark hair.
“Ow! What the hell was that?” Cole asks, rubbing his head.
“It clearly worked.” Anthony shrugs.
The two start grappling around like children. Tumbling on the ground as the air fills with their laughter, echoing around the light music filling the gym.
“You must’ve given me all you know if that’s how you two fight,” I tease. I won’t complain, it’s a nice view of muscles and sweat.
“Alright, alright. Sunny you’re up.” Cole waves me over.
Anthony fills the wordless air with chants and praises of encouragement to me, making me distracted and laughing.
“Okay, tell me more about yourselves.” I swipe at a loose hair in my face.
“We are pretty boring people,” Cole says as he swings an arm, and I duck from it. “Good job.”
“Hey, speak for yourself. I’m a very interesting person.” Anthony places a hand on his chest and bats his eyelashes.
“Okay then, pretty boy, tell her all about how spectacular you are.” Cole takes a drink of water, giving me a second to breathe.
“Well then we would be here all night.” Anthony smiles.
“Okay, back at it.” Cole raises the pads for me to hit.
Mid punch I hear the door open as Tyler walks in. One glance tells me all I need to know about the day he had. If the flexed jaw and dark eyes don’t say it enough, then the half buttoned dress shirt that clings to his tense muscles does.
While one hand holds his gym bag, the free one runs a hand through his once neatly groomed hair. He tugs at the already loose tie around his neck, flexing the exposed muscles of his forearms that showcase his scars.
“Sorry I’m late. It was just a crazy day.” He throws his stuff down and starts unbuttoning his shirt. “I hear you’re kicking some ass,” he says, peeling the shirt off his body, revealing a white shirt underneath.
Somehow, that’s a good look on him, too. It all is a good look on him. For a moment, I hope he’ll peel that white t-shirt off too so I can see it all.
“I feel like my ass is being handed to me, if I’m being honest. These two over here can’t stop bickering like an old married couple.”
“Hey, what happens at fight club stays at fight club!” Anthony quips.
Tyler laughs as he places the now balled up shirt in his bag.
He approaches, taking my hand in his and spins me around gently to see me in my athletic get up.
“Look at you, huh? I’ll be out in a few minutes.
Just going to change really quick. Keep thinking about those ways I can make it up to you, little fire.
” He grabs the bag and heads to the bathroom.
A smile plays at my lips, but I’m a little sad I won’t see shirtless Tyler. Bringing my gaze back to the other two men, I realize they are staring at me with smug smiles on their faces.
“What?” I try to play innocent.
“We know, he’s pretty,” Anthony teases.
You’re right, he is pretty.
I make a mental list of all the ways he can make it up to me.