“I’m not a big believer in fate, but if they hadn’t, you wouldn’t exist. Neither would any of your siblings.”
“With a family legacy like this, can you really say that would be a bad thing? This practically says my grandmother was capable of murder.”
Roger didn’t want to defend the Henderson name. But since getting to know them better, it was obvious they weren’t like their father. Did that mean they weren’t capable of doing some really fucked-up shit? No. They still were a family not to cross. Of course, Roger wasn’t easily intimidated by that.
“It was a different time. Something must have transpired in her life that no one knew. And really, the only one who might, would’ve been her brother, Charles. He’s dead too. In my opinion, that is where you want all this to lie. What would revealing it now do? Unless you’re thinking about having a big family reunion and explaining how you’re related.”
Brice shook his head. “I know the Lawsons are our long-lost cousins. Let’s keep them that way.” He opened his desk and slid in the papers, including the photo and shut it. “Our paths haven’t crossed so far. I don’t see why they should start now.”
“Agreed.”
Brice pulled out his checkbook and started filling it out.
“I don’t need or want your money,” Roger said firmly. He also hadn’t earned it.
Brice looked up and eyed him before saying, “There’s something else you want.”
“Exactly.”
Closing his checkbook Brice asked, “What now?”
“Loyalty.”
“Why do I have a feeling we are not talking about you.”
Roger had underestimated Brice. “These results were not obtained by me alone.”
“Gia?” Brice asked. Roger nodded. “What the fuck part of no one didn’t you understand? It would be one thing if it was someone who didn’t know us. But you’re asking me to hire her when she knows this shit about my grandmother?”
“I am.” What could Brice do? Tell Gia she didn’t have a job? That didn’t seem like a wise thing to do.
“Give me one reason why I should?”
Brice was probably expecting him to threaten or blackmail him. Both were viable options. Neither would secure what was best for Gia. Roger did what he knew was best.
“Simple. You put all the reasons why in your drawer. Not because she knows, but because she’s that damn good. Every single thing you just read was information she uncovered. I verified it, but she didn’t miss the mark on one single thing.”
“This skill wasn’t on her résumé.”
“No. I’m not sure she’s aware of it. But in the right position, she’ll figure it out.”
Brice leaned back and said, “It sounds like she would fit better in your line of work than mine.”
Maybe if I hadn’t slept with her. “That’s not possible.”
He nodded. “I understand how difficult it is when someone you care about works so closely to you. Lena actually worked for me for a short time.”
“That seemed to work out. You two are married with a growing family.”
Brice laughed. “Only because I fired her. If not, I never would’ve gotten anything done.”
Roger could see that as being a problem. “I’m sure she was thrilled not to have to see your face twenty-four/seven.”
“Won’t argue with you there. I’m one lucky man. So where is this going with Gia?”
Roger had no idea. And he wasn’t about to discuss it with Brice. At least not in detail. “She’s nice.”
“Nice?” Brice cocked a brow. “I’m wondering how she’d describe you. Maybe I should ask Lena.”
“How would she know?”
“Oh, women seem to know shit we don’t. It took me a while to figure this out, but we’re usually the last to know.”
“Know what?” Roger asked.
“Everything. Meaning, you’re here, speaking on her behalf. If you think this won’t blow up in your face one day, you’re mistaken. If you’re smart, which I doubt, you’ll come clean with everything.”
That wasn’t going to happen. “There’s no reason she needs to know why she got the job.” Gia knew he opened the door, but let her believe they hired her on her own merit. That was partially true.
“There’s one.”
“What is that?” Roger asked.
“If you see yourself having a future with her.”
That was the problem. Roger couldn’t see that. Not because she wasn’t good enough, but because he wasn’t. She had shared more about herself than he had. That’s who he was. He opened up more with Gia than he ever had, but it wasn’t enough. Not to sustain a relationship. Hell, things with Gia had already gotten out of control, moved too fast. Which was unlike him. He’d mastered holding in feelings for a long time. There was no denying it; he cared deeply for her. And that’s why he knew they couldn’t be together. She deserved better than him. Someone who could give her a close loving family, and all he had was himself. And I’m not all that great of a catch to start.
“I’ll keep that in mind. I see it differently.”
“Somehow I thought you would. You’re so thickheaded, I wouldn’t have been surprised if you came back telling me that you’re family.”
Roger snorted. “Hell no. I’m not that fucked up.”
“Pretty damn close.” Brice leaned back in his chair. “I’ll talk to my brothers and see what we can find for Gia. My gut says my brother-in-law would be the best option.”
Bennett Stone definitely was in a field that would allow Gia to grow, however it also might throw her into the line of fire. “In a desk job, right?”
Brice shook his head. “Okay, so Bennett is out. We’ll find something.”
“Good.”
“My wife told me to invite you both for dinner tonight.”
“How did she know you were going to see me today?” Roger asked.
“Like I said, they know everything.”
Roger said, “I’m not sure Gia can make it. Her father is ill, and she went home to be with him.”
“Is it serious?” Brice asked.
“Yes. I’m going to see her when I leave here.”
“Let me know if you need anything. And don’t forget, we have a lot of connections in the medical field.”
“Thanks.” It wasn’t his place to make any decisions or give any advice. All he could do was to be there and support Gia the best he could. “Please tell Lena, thank you for the invitation.”
“I will. Should I assume this means you’ll be hanging around Boston a bit longer?”
Roger shook his head. “I have a beach house waiting for me. But you know how to find me if you need me.” Hopefully you won’t.
He left and headed to his car. Roger didn’t want to worry, but he did. Gia hadn’t reached out, and his gut said that wasn’t a good thing. Before he pulled away he sent her a quick text.
GOOD MORNING. HOW ARE THINGS WITH YOUR FATHER?
He waited but there was no immediate response. His stomach sank, and he wanted to dial her number. But he’d told her he’d be there if she needed him. Maybe she didn’t need him. That was good. She was a strong, independent woman. It was okay if she didn’t need him.
So why was not being with her bothering him so damn much? This was what he wanted. He wasn’t staying in Boston. Yet leaving without saying goodbye sure as hell wasn’t what he wanted either.
What the hell? Roger threw the car in drive and headed toward Rhode Island. He had no idea what he would encounter, or what he was going to say, but he wanted . . . no needed, to see her. It sickened him to think he was being as . . . controlling as the Hendersons, but hell, the rule book went out the window the moment he met her. He’d lost track of how many he’d already broken. Just one I can’t afford to: Don’t break her heart.
Gia couldn’t keep her eyes open a moment longer. Lying across the hard plastic seats in the ICU waiting room was far from ideal. But Gary left to go to work, and her mother was sleepin
g in the chair beside her father. Even though her mother said she could go home and get some rest, Gia wasn’t ready to head back to Boston.
The only thing she wished she had right now was a power cord for her cell phone. It had died late last night after chatting with Roger. She had told him they’d talk today, but apparently the universe had other plans. It was funny, she remembered a lot of things, but couldn’t recall Vickie’s or Roger’s phone numbers. It was sad how she relied on technology, and the two people she really wanted to talk to right now, were out of her reach.
She closed her eyes. Where are my shooting stars when I need them? There was so much for her to wish for right now; the stars could light up the sky and she’d have a wish for each of them.
It wasn’t easy to sleep with the loud intercom paging doctors directly overhead. But somehow, exhaustion kicked in and sleep came. It was far from peaceful as she was tortured with thoughts of Roger. Not the sweet tender moments they had shared just two day ago, but one of heartbreak. He walked away. His back was to her. No matter how loud she called, he didn’t turn around.
The tears burned as they streamed down her cheeks. How could he do this? Didn’t he know how much she needed him? She called out again, and he increased his pace, as though he couldn’t put enough distance between them.
She knew that was coming. His life wasn’t in Boston. How could she have expected him to stay? Just like the people wanted her to stay in Maplesville. You can’t be where your heart wasn’t. But he took a piece of her heart with him.
It wasn’t fair. When she was with him she felt . . . the most alive she ever had. They might have just crossed paths, yet something about them together felt so . . . right. Gia was a fighter and wasn’t letting him go this easily.
She got up and started to chase after him. Yet her feet wouldn’t move. She was stuck to the ground. When she looked down, the sandy beach was replaced with concrete and her feet were covered, holding her in place. As she looked around, tall buildings rose from below and eventually blocked her view. The answer was there. They had chosen different lives, and those differences would keep them apart.
She sobbed, missing him with all she was, then she heard someone calling her. Gia. Gia. Wake up. Her eyes flew open; thankful it was only a dream. He was there. Roger was in front of her.
But as her foggy brain cleared, it wasn’t him. Gary had returned. She couldn’t lie to herself; she was disappointed it wasn’t Roger, yet shocked Gary came back. “I thought you could use some coffee.”
Gia sat up, taking the paper cup from him. She appreciated the thought, but it only showed once again how little they knew about each other. She never drank coffee. Actually she hated the taste. But she didn’t want to return the tension that was between them yesterday. So she took a sip and smiled.
“Thank you. I thought you were going to be at work all day.”
“I was, but I couldn’t focus. My boss sent me home.”
She could relate. Gia slid over, making space for him to sit. “Have you talked to Mom yet?”
“No. I wanted to check on you first. You look tired. Why don’t you go home and get some sleep?”
“Boston is not next door.”
Gary said, “I meant Maplesville. You know your room is still there. Hell, so is mine. Nothing in that house is ever going to change.”
“From what the doctor said, they aren’t going to have a choice. The place needs too much work, and there are too many stairs. Mom and Dad are in their seventies. They shouldn’t be living alone.” She worried about them, even though she didn’t want to give up her independent life and move home. She had worked so hard to get where she was, only to walk away from it all now.
“Mom isn’t going to like it, but I think you and I should sit down and have a serious talk with her.”
“Gary, she’s not going to listen to me.” They had never seen eye to eye on small things. Talking about giving up the family home and relocating wasn’t going to go well.
“There’s things you don’t know.”
That didn’t surprise her. For years she’d been out of the loop. Both intentional and because of distance. “Would you like to fill me in?”
He nodded. “This wasn’t Dad’s first heart attack.”
Her eyes widened in shock. There was no way. Someone would’ve told her. “You’re not serious.” He nodded. “Why am I just hearing about that now?”
Gary reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. “Because even though none of us ever told you, we’re all very proud of what you’ve accomplished. You said you were going to make it, and you did. Hell, if I had half of your perseverance, I might have been able to make my marriage work.”
It seemed unreal. Was the wedge there all this time because she put it there? That didn’t make sense, yet there was no reason for Gary to lie about such a thing. What they had thought or done in the past didn’t matter. This was about her parents. She knew this day would come, but somehow, it felt like it was too soon.
“Gary, tell me what you want me to say to Mom and I will.”
He laughed. “You’re the brains of the bunch. One thing I know about you: when you want something, you don’t stop until you get it.”
For years she wanted to hear these words, but she never wanted to use them on her mother. “She’s going to be . . . resistant.”
“That’s putting it lightly.”
Gia ran several options through her mind, but none seemed to end well. Most would become a shouting match, which definitely wouldn’t accomplish anything. When she was about to give up and tell Gary he needed to be the one, she noticed Roger standing in the doorway.
“How long have you been standing there?” From the look on his face, he hadn’t just arrived.
“Long enough. Your brother is right; you can do this.”
All their confidence in her abilities was way overstated. “Roger, she is going to want me to be there to help. How can I make that promise when my job is in Boston?”
“Parents don’t want you to give up your life. They want to know you’re there if they need you.”
“Isn’t that the same thing? I can’t commit to working for the Hendersons, knowing I might need to drop everything and rush back here.”
“True, but you can help them without physically being here. You’re a very resourceful woman. Use that now.”
He was right. Gia was thinking with her emotions instead of her head. If this was a business she needed to put into compliance, what would be her first course of action? Get the doctors all on the same page and in our corner.
“Guess I have my work cut out for me,” Gia said.
Gary added, “We do. You’re not in this alone.”
She leaned over and hugged him. Gia couldn’t remember the last time they talked like this, never mind hugged. Just then their mother entered the room.
“I never thought I’d see this day,” she said, her eyes filled with tears.
Gia and Gary both got up and rushed over to her. “Is it Dad?”
She shook her head. “Your father’s fine.”
“Then what’s the matter?” Gia asked.
“Nothing. For the first time in a long time, everything is right.” She wrapped her arms around them both. “I only wish your father could’ve seen this.”
Gia met Gary’s eyes and they both knew this wouldn’t be the last time. It was going to take effort on both of their parts, but family was worth it. To be there when needed.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Roger turn and walk away. No. Don’t go. Leaving and rushing after him might be what she wanted to do, but not what was the best to do. It felt like her dream, but the obstacle wasn’t Boston, it wasn’t a job either. It was something greater than either of those things. It’s family.
Tightening her grip on her mother, they all stood there, holding each other. Then her mother said, “Your father is awake and wants to see you both.”
Gia’s eyes watered, and she fought back the tears as all t
hree of them walked into the ICU. She didn’t know what tomorrow was going to bring for her parents, but it no longer scared her, because they were going to face it together.
The only thing missing is Roger. But he hadn’t left her. He showed up when she needed him, and deep inside she knew he would again. He’s been doing that since the day we met.
Chapter 11
She almost forgot about her interview. Gia almost called Brittney to cancel, but both her mom and Gary told her, more like insisted, to go. It was funny how they tried to prepare her with off-the-cuff questions. Not saying that it had been a while since either of them had been interviewed, but the questions they asked were illegal.
Yet as she sat with Brittney, who was totally professional, she knew she didn’t need to worry about it.
“Would there be any issue with you starting next week?” Brittney asked.
Gia hadn’t expected the job offer to come immediately, and wished she had time to discuss it with her family, but wishing was worthless. It was decision time. Family or future? So much to weigh on, and she didn’t have time to stall. Any delay in response might play negatively on her. Then she remembered Roger. He said to use her skills to obtain what she wanted. Surely he wasn’t talking just about her family. It was in her life in general.
Holding her head up high, and internally crossing her fingers, Gia stated, “If it wouldn’t be an inconvenience, I’d prefer to make it the following week.”
Brittney didn’t even blink an eye and said, “That works as well. In the meantime, I’ll email you what information you might need to know prior to your first day. Are there any questions you have for me?”
Gia shook her head. “Not at this time. Thank you again for meeting with me so early.”
“It actually worked out. The Hendersons are all in town and called a meeting. If we made it any later, I would’ve been forced to reschedule. I’ll walk you out.”
“Thank you.” She gathered things and followed Brittney to the elevator. As the doors opened, a tall well-dressed man was getting out.
“Brittney, I was just coming to see you. My wife hoped you could meet with her regarding HR policies later today. Would you be available?”
Nine Rules of Engagement (Barrington Billionaire's Series Book 9) Page 14
