Chapter 50
“Fine. I’ll stay home with you then, he said, placing his briefcaseflown on the countertop.
He knew he could be overreacting, but he would rather be safe in sorry. Robert and Cole didn’t seem to respect Ruby, but they were wary of him and he had no problem doing whatever was needed to lend her support and make sure she was safe. Of course, she had security, but again, he couldn’t be too careful
A smile appeared on her face, slow but bright. “No, thank you. You need to get to work.”
“I own the place. I don’t need to go to work if I don’t want to.
She shook her head in playful disapproval and tilted her chain at his undone tie. “Want some help with that?”
“What? This
She nodded.
“Do you know how to tie it?” He asked, skeptical..
“I can’t do a Windsor, but I can do a Cape knot, she said.
“A cape knot? That’s unusual.” I said, my voice laced with surprise.
She shrugged halfheartedly. “I learned it because a friend wanted to wear it, but couldn’t master it.”
“Fine.” His tone was casual to hide the acid burning in his gut. Who did she learn the knot for? Her stupid ex boyfriend? Or somebody else?
She leaned toward him and started to loop the tie into a complex asymmetrical knot that he couldn’t even do to save his life. She was so close, her warm breaths fanned his chin and neck. Silk whispers, and her entire focus was on his neck–what she was doing to him. He never realized how intimate having a woman knot his tie could be. He wanted her to do it everyday.
And some other man was treated to this. The need to find out who and kick his ass was inexplicably overwhelming. He drew in a deep breath. It didn’t matter who she had learned to tie the cape knot for. He was going to be the last man she ever did it for. The surging possessiveness was so intense, it stunned him.”
“It can look a little weird on a guy who doesn’t have the confidence to pull it off, but I think you can do it.” She smiled and patted him on the chest, all finished.
“One must have enough flair to dominate one’s wardrobe. He was disappointed it hadn’t taken her more time. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
The doorbell suddenly rang. He glanced at the grandfather clock in the living room–8:07 am. Who was visiting that carty? Ruby looked at him in question. The bell rang again and his jaw ticked. It better not be some “journalists wanting comments, although, there was no way in hell they would be able to penetrate the gates of the estate.
He checked the security panel screen, then scowled when he saw the unmistakable silhouette of his father’s Rolls Royce phantom.
What did he want that early in the morning?
He allowed the car come through, then waited with a cup of coffee in hand by the main door so they could finish business they had there.
“Son,” his father greeted in a cur tone
finish whatever
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10:28 Wed, Oct 16
Chapter 50
“Why are you here?” He asked.
“I’m still a part of the family, you know? His father answered, already walking into the room.
Alex closed the door behind him with a sigh and followed quietly behind him.
“I’d like some tea” James called out, taking the armchair in the living room. He crossed his leg, right over left, making himself comfortable.
“We don’t drink tea. Alex said as he sat with his back to the kitchen. They had various types of tea in the pantry.
James’s expression cooled. “Then coffee maybe?”
“I didn’t make enough for guests. You didn’t give any advance notice either.” He hoped his father would get the hint and tell him why he was there. Or better yet, just leave.
“It’s rude for you to have coffee without offering me any.”
“Believe me, it’s better than my talking to you without coffee.”
That shuts him up. He knew better than to argue with Alex about that. “Fine.” he said, taking a composing breath. “I’m here to talk about you.”
Alex scoffed. “Talk about me? Yeah right. Suddenly, you want to play father of the year?”
“You haven’t even listened to what I have to say yet.”
“Okay James.” Alex waved his hands in the air. “Let’s hear it.”
There was a long pause before his father spoke again. “Tidal tech. It’s a really good venture…”
“Why are we talking about my company?” He asked, his senses now at alert. He suspected he had an idea of what his father. was going to say.
“You know son, I always knew you had it in you. You just needed a little push. People didn’t understand my decision then, and they judged me. But look at you now.”
“What?” He exclaimed in mock surprise. He had always known this day was coming though.
“You would’ve never been able to build an organization this big if I didn’t cut you off, just putting it plainly. And keeping your identity a secret, that was genius. Look how your stock prices skyrocketed”
His father was really trying to take credit for his success. It wasn’t shocking though, once again, he had expected it. So there. was no point trying to even have an argument about it. “Where are you going with this?”
“We should merge companies.”
Alex paused. And then laughter erupted from the pit of his stomach before he could even stop it. He laughed so hard that he was almost close to lears. “Now, why on earth would I do something like that?”
James uncrossed his legs and leaned in, looking more serious now than ever. “Think of how big a joint venture would be. And we’re family. Think of the buzz it’ll create,”
“James, I know the company’s experiencing some trouble right now. And I wish you well, I really do. But if you think I’ll partake in any form of business with you, you’ve got another thing coming.”
An annoyed look flashed in his father’s eyes. “You’re being childish. Is this about the past? It was all for character development. Can’t you put that aside and look at the bigger picture here?”
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10:28 Wed, Oct 16 M
Chapter 50
“Alex”
He turned at the sound of his wife’s voice as she walked into the living room.
His father’s eves moved to her face too, and he could see his eyes wide as he stared intently at her. Then he turned back Alex with a small smirk. “Women huh? She must have provoked you really badly.”
“Are you calling me a wife beater?” Alex asked, standing up to walk to his wife. “Are you crazy?”
“Uh…“his father stalled.
“Answer the fucking question. You really think I would hit my wife?”
11
“I’m just saying—he mumbled, glancing at Ruby. “Well, shit, maybe you didn’t, but that’s a nasty bruise right there. I can only imagine that whoever hit her must have had a good reason to do so.”
Alex was in front of his father before he knew it, his hand grabbing a fistful of the man’s collar. “Say that one more time? I fucking dare you!”
“Alex!” His mother’s shrill scream reached his ears before she showed up in front of him. “Let go of him right now!”
He stared into his father’s eyes with pure rage dripping in his own eyes, and his fingers trembled with anger as he let go of the collar. “The next time you say something like that about my wife, I won’t be so forgiving.”
He stormed out of the living room with Ruby’s hand in his, leaving his father and mother behind.
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