Galen sighed as he stripped out of his clothes. He needed a shower and sleep. It was a good thing he hadn’t gotten drunk, because he would be in rough shape come morning, and he needed to be at the top of his game if he was going to talk to his father about Wayne.
He padded into the bathroom and turned on the water to the four-headed shower he loved so much. It had been one of the things he insisted on when he bought his own house. Standing beneath the spray, he let the jets beat down on him, hoping they’d take away that unpleasant feeling in his stomach. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he didn’t like it.
After he’d cleaned and rinsed, he dried off with one of the fluffy towels Margarite had stocked the bathroom with. He strode into the bedroom, turned on the air purifier, which scented the room with lavender, and crawled under the covers. A sharp pain in his stomach had him gasping for breath. When it subsided, he made a mental note to contact Dr. Willis, because that wasn’t normal.
Sleep, when it finally came, was interrupted several times by nebulous images that flitted through his mind. They weren’t exactly dreams, but they weren’t bad enough to be nightmares. The only ones Galen could recall clearly were of how much Olivia would be disappointed if she knew the kind of person he really was. And he couldn’t think of why he should care. He never had before. Recently, though, people’s opinions of him had bothered him.
The clock on the nightstand said it was only a little after three. Way too early to be awake, but Galen was certain he wouldn’t be able to sleep if he tried. Instead, he got up and grabbed his laptop, determined to know everything about the company by the time he walked into his father’s office for their Monday meeting.
Ledgers, financial statements, employee records—Olivia had done an amazing job putting all this together. She truly was the best assistant he’d ever had, and she deserved to be recognized. He went back to the bedroom and pulled his phone off its charger, then flipped through the contacts until he found the florist he liked. He dialed and left a voicemail message that he wanted to purchase something special for his assistant and have it ready first thing in the morning. He was sure they’d put together something spectacular, especially considering how much money he spent with them.
Thoughts of the florist had his mind drifting back to a comment Lincoln had made a few weeks ago. It had shocked Galen when Lincoln said, “You mean, the guy who paid a woman to sleep with him? Well, I mean, I assume it’s a woman.”
The first thing in Galen’s mind was that Lincoln had actually known he paid women, not for sex, but to escort him to work functions. Father expected him to have someone striking when he entered the room, and since Galen had no desire for a girlfriend, he contacted an escort service. He would take the young lady out for a nice dinner, buy her something pretty, and walk into the room, pleased when all heads turned in their direction. Then, at the end of the night, he would ensure she got into a cab and was taken home.
Coffee. That would help. It always did, after all. He went into the kitchen, slipped a pod into his Keurig, and set it to brew. He inhaled the aroma, his mouth watering. He and coffee had long been in an affair, and it was the one thing in his life he truly loved.
Well, except for Lincoln. Despite their differences, he did love his brother. Usually.
“Maybe that’s why I’m so out of sorts. The depths that Father sunk to in trying to get him back was disgusting, even for him.”
Sure, Galen wanted Lincoln back at Primal, because he’d been the best at everything he did, even if he overshadowed Galen’s own accomplishments. Early on, Lincoln would lord them over him, tell him how he was so much better than Galen could ever hope to be. Even family was a stepping stone, according to their father. But then Lincoln changed. It was a sudden switch of personality. He stormed into the office, told his father he quit, and when Father said he would cut Lincoln off completely, Lincoln told him he didn’t care.
True to his word, Father shut off Lincoln’s access to everything—bank funds, credit cards. Whatever he could do to hurt Lincoln, Father did it, expecting his errant son to come crawling back with his tail tucked between his legs. Even Galen was shocked when he’d heard Lincoln had gone out, sold his cars, his house, and liquidated everything he could lay his hands on, then bought a building where he intended to open a diner.
A diner? Galen gave him a year, tops, before he realized it wouldn’t work out. Once Lincoln started to miss the Armani suits, the limousines, the heady power, he would be back.
Then one year became two. Two became three. And Galen grew more and more confused over the change in his brother. He was hiring people who were beneath him—drunks, addicts, homeless—and giving them jobs. And how many times had he been screwed over? Yet he still persevered. Galen could never understand why.
He started going to the diner for breakfast, tossing out a few jibes about the company, and never once did Lincoln say he missed it. In fact, quite the opposite. He seemed happier, more content than Galen had ever known. But he also seemed sad. If Galen had to ascribe a word to it, he would have said Lincoln was lonely.
At least until Noel walked into his life. For the first time in years, Lincoln did something he rarely did, even when he worked at Primal. He smiled. He laughed. And for some reason, it pissed Galen off. Lincoln wouldn’t admit it, but Galen could see the way he looked at Noel. Even though the kid had just started there, he already had Lincoln wrapped around his little finger. Galen was certain that once Noel got whatever he wanted, he’d dump Lincoln and move on. But he didn’t.
Galen had read the reports by the private detective their father hired. He knew about the kind of person Noel was. How he’d stolen money from his parents, who claimed Noel had a history of theft. Still, Lincoln stood by him. It might have been wrong, but Galen was jealous of the fact a homeless kid was closer to Lincoln than Galen had ever been.
Galen had been pissed that Lincoln would choose Noel over family, and he waited for the day that he was proven right, that Noel would drop him. And that day came when Father offered an insane amount to get Noel away from Lincoln. Even though he had no love for the kid, Galen didn’t want to see Lincoln hurt, so he went to him and told him what had happened.
That Noel was gone and wouldn’t be coming back.
And Lincoln still had faith in Noel. Even hours after Noel was supposed to be there, Lincoln believed he would show up. Galen tried to get Lincoln to face the facts, but just as he was about to try once more, Noel walked in, ready for work.
Galen couldn’t tell which was worse, that Noel had played Jonathan Merriweather for a fool or that Galen looked stupid. The thing that pissed him off the most? When Noel called the waitress over and put an arm around her, then wrapped his other around Lincoln and told Galen that that was what family was. How dare he try to judge Galen’s family.
Even if he had been right.
The alarm on Galen’s phone went off at six on the dot. He groaned. He’d been letting these thoughts consume him for three hours, and he hadn’t even had his first cup of coffee yet. He rushed into the kitchen and put the mug in the microwave. When it beeped, he poured the coffee into his thermal mug, snagged his laptop, then hustled down to get his car. He drove down Wisconsin, heading toward the lake. When he hit Tenth, he glanced down the street, then turned. He had no idea why he was doing this, but there he was.
He pulled up in front of the shelter and was surprised when he saw Robert out front, talking with a police officer. He wondered what had happened. He was getting ready to go see when he realized what he was doing. He put the car in gear and sped off, ignoring the cop’s stare. Why the hell had he gone there? He needed to get his head on straight; otherwise he’d be useless in the meeting. A quick stop at the florist to pick up the flowers, and he was ready to face the lion in his den.
When he arrived, he pulled into the underground parking lot, drove to his designated spot, and backed his Alfa Romeo 4C into his stall. He grabbed his notes and computer as well as the flowers for Olivia, go
t out and locked the car, then made a beeline for the elevator that would take him to his office.
When the doors opened, a cute young woman with a tiny button nose, red hair, and green eyes, who Galen had seen before but never really met, smiled at him.
“Good morning, Mr. Merriweather.” She glanced at his hand. “Those are lovely flowers.”
“Um. Hi. Thanks. How are you today?”
“Good, thank you. Is there anything particular I need to know for today?”
Galen cocked his head. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Well, I don’t know how you like things done, so I thought I should ask what you want me to do. I came in early so I could try to figure out some of your system.”
“You’ll have to forgive me. I haven’t had my coffee yet. Who are you?”
She jutted her lip out slightly, looking aggrieved. “I’m Melissa, your new assistant.”
He chuckled. “I already have an assistant.”
Melissa leaned against the elevator wall. “No, Olivia got fired last night. Your father hired me.”
Galen closed his eyes. He had to have misheard what she said. Why would his father fire Olivia? It made no…. Wait. He glared at Melissa. “Okay, so has he slept with you yet, or is that what he’s dangling in front of you to get in your pants?”
Her expression turned murderous. “Excuse me?”
He scoffed. “Please. There’s no way he’d hire you as my assistant if he wasn’t looking to get laid. So either you’ve already put out or he’s working up to it.”
She stood there, red-faced, with her chest puffed out, but she didn’t reply.
“Thanks. You told me everything I need to know. I appreciate your candor, Melissa, but your services aren’t required.”
“But your father said—”
“My father doesn’t hire my staff.” The doors opened on their floor. “I’m not sure which department is yours, but please go back there. I won’t have you working for me.”
She glared at him for a moment, then stormed down the hall. She’d turned the corner before he threw back his shoulders, dumped the flowers and his things on a nearby chair. His whole life, Father had made unilateral decisions. Galen was never good enough to have an opinion that didn’t come directly from Jonathan Merriweather. He pretty much kissed his father’s ass, hoping for crumbs, and every time he was disappointed. And now, because he wanted in some leggy redhead’s pants, he fired the best assistant Galen had ever had without so much as a by your leave.
No more. One way or another, this ended today. He straightened his shoulders and marched for his father’s office. He pushed the door open, not surprised to see the man sitting behind the desk, already talking on the phone. He looked up and gave Galen a scowl.
“Don’t worry, Melissa. I’ll straighten this out. Yes, I’ll call you back.” He hung up and rose to his impressive height. “I assume you’ve got an explanation for this?”
Galen wanted to be surprised that his father was trying to turn this back on him, but not this time. “I want Olivia rehired, and I expect it now, Father.”
His father’s deep gray eyes flashed as he leaned on the top of the desk, getting in Galen’s face. “You expect? This is my company, Galen. If I say she’s fired, then that’s all there is to it.”
“So you can get into that girl’s pants? Why? Did Olivia turn you down?”
His father blinked, and Galen knew the truth. That had been why Olivia said he was too good for this place. His father had been propositioning her.
“I can’t believe you.” Galen wanted to say more, but with how hot his temper was running, he was afraid it would lead to blows.
“Watch your tone, Galen.”
He’d watched his tone for all his life. Until now he’d deferred to his father in all things.
“No.”
Father’s eyebrows met his hairline. “Excuse me?”
“I said no.” Galen leaned against the desk. “I will not have someone else working for me just because Olivia wouldn’t sleep with you. There are things called sexual harassment laws, you know.”
Of course he knew. Their law firm had paid enough money out to quell the complaints, but the rumors still persisted.
“Melissa is your new assistant, so you’d best get used to the idea.”
Noel’s words slammed into Galen’s head. “This is what family is about. It’s not trying to stab people in the back to get what you want. It’s about standing together to make each other stronger. You don’t get it now, but maybe one day you will.”
Galen’s heart hammered. Now he understood why Lincoln walked out. Why had Galen always turned a blind eye to what his father was doing? He couldn’t—wouldn’t—do it this time. Olivia had his back when Galen was in a crunch, and there was no way he would just let it slide.
He leaned on the desk until he found himself close enough that he could smell his father’s rank cigar breath. “No.”
He trembled at the thought that he was going to stand up to his father, but he liked Olivia. He’d been touched when she told him she thought he was better than Galen ever believed he could be. To that end, he stepped up and did the one thing he thought he would never do.
“I quit.”
If he thought this would get his father to listen for a change, to maybe—finally—pay attention his son, that hope vanished in a derisive laugh.
“Fine. Clear out your desk.” Father pushed a button on his phone. “Security, Galen Merriweather is no longer employed with us. I would like you to escort him to his office to remove any personal effects, and then I want you to take him off the premises.” Then he disconnected the call and turned a smug smile on Galen.
Galen sucked in a breath. He wanted to ask what the hell was going on, but he wouldn’t give Father the satisfaction.
“I can see in your eyes how angry you are, so let me set you straight about a few things. First, if Lincoln hadn’t walked away, you’d have been fired by now anyway. Second, you were never half as good as he was. Third, I’m glad this whole charade is over. I’m tired of pulling your ass out of the fire. You never would have been good enough to take over this company. I would have sold it rather than leave it in your hands.”
Anger burned in Galen’s stomach. He grinned at his father, then decided he might as well do what Lincoln did and torch his bridges behind him. He would throw it in the old man’s face, just to see his expression.
“I’m gay too.”
His father snorted. “You think I didn’t know that?” He sneered at Galen. “Do you want to know the difference between you and Lincoln? He at least had the balls to own up to it. You’ve done nothing but hide your predilections, sneaking out to bars and debasing yourself and this family’s name. If you could have been a man like your brother and stood up for yourself, maybe we wouldn’t be where we are now.” He looked up as security entered the room, then turned his gaze back at Galen. “By the way, the same rules apply here as they did with Lincoln. As you’ve decided to leave your employment, our lawyers will be in contact with you regarding your future.”
And with those words, he was dismissed.
“Be sure he doesn’t take anything that belongs to the company.”
The security guard snapped to attention. “Yes, sir.”
Everything else was a haze as Galen was led to his office. Years of accomplishments and memories were held here, and in an instant, they were gone. He now understood how the other people he and his father had fired over the years felt. Degraded, dejected, and forced to look toward an uncertain future.
But he didn’t regret his decision one bit. For the first time in his life, he’d stood up for someone else, and Galen Merriweather was happy.
At least for now.
Chapter Seven
“I KNOW, Mom. I tried to explain to him that I wasn’t talking down to him or his family, but this one’s got prickles on top of his burrs. He’s like that old barn cat that used to come around. He loved it when you paid attention
to him, but the moment he thought you were paying too much attention, he lashed out.”
He’d called his mother after he got home and said good night to Noel, who told him that everything went fine and that he needn’t worry. He didn’t tell Noel about Galen, because he’d given his word. Plus, when it came to Galen, Noel was pretty prickly himself.
“Then what do you do? Walk away and leave him to fend for himself?”
That was funny. “He’s rich, so it’s not like that’s a hardship.”
Mom sighed. “Robert, we’ve told you and Tom time and time again. Material things don’t make you rich—they make you wealthy. What makes you rich?”
Those lessons had been drilled into him from the time he could say Mama and Dada. “Family. Friends. Helping out when you can.”
“And do you still think this…. What did you say his name was?”
She knew damn well what it was. She was just trying to get him used to saying it.
“Galen.”
“Do you still think he’s rich?”
It wasn’t a fair question. He didn’t know Galen at all. Robert’s interactions with him had been in flux at best. From the surly man who came to insist Robert give back the check, to the guy who was happily sopping up the last bits of chili from his bowl. But which was the real Galen? And could he separate the two halves?
“I don’t know. I haven’t had the chance to get to know him. You do know he came and took back the check, right?”
“And you know people see the world differently. You said he’s wealthy. What was lifeblood to the people you work with was only money to him, and no amount of it can buy him the kind of education you have.”
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