by Casey Hagen
“Do you know how you’re going to handle it?” Jack asked. Lathan had been silent since he climbed into the passenger seat of her truck.
“Hmmm…no. I guess I’ll see what he has to say first.”
“You have your evidence?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe—”
He reached the volume to the radio. “I love this song.”
Sure he did. Didn’t all guys love Britney Spears? She left it alone; clearly he was distracted and maybe he was trying to get his thoughts together.
The hot sun played peekaboo around thick clouds that seemed to increase as the morning marched on. Jack’s life had gone off on one hell of a tangent. All of a sudden her world had shifted, and she couldn’t figure out how she would go back to the way things were after a year. Thank God her brother had planned a get-together with some friends tonight. She needed beer, classic rock, darts, and her boys bullshitting.
She couldn’t recall a time she had been nervous, but rolling into the parking lot of Kincaid Industries, with its fifteen stories of glass and steel, put her on edge. She had always handled confrontation like a pro. She took her time, made her point in an articulate but unyielding way, and that was that.
This was something else entirely. Well, there wasn’t much she could do. She would walk in, chin up, smile, and she would support Lathan any way she could, and then she would hit the road and drag his cute ass to Placerville and put a beer in his hand.
He held the door for her and guided her inside a pristine glass and tile lobby with a wide security desk in the front.
A tall guard with military-cut blond hair nodded to him. “Good morning, Mr. Kincaid.”
“Good morning, Tim. How are your wife and the girls?”
“Excellent, sir. Thank you for asking.”
“You let Celia know that I’ll be at her game this weekend,” Lathan said as they sailed past the desk to the elevators.
Tim smiled. “I’ll do that.”
They must be friends. They had to be, right? “How do you know Tim?”
He tilted his head and gave her a strange look. “He’s an employee,” he said, drawing the words out.
The elevator door slid open and they stepped inside. “Who’s Celia?”
“Tim’s daughter.”
“Wait… if you’re not friends, how do you know his family and why would you be going to his daughter’s games?”
“I know the families of all my employees. I’m the one who taught Celia most of her moves on the soccer field, so I like to see her own the field with them.”
The doors slid open on the fifteenth floor. He waited for her to precede him, but before she did she held her arm to stop the door from closing. “How many employees do you have?”
“Three-hundred-and-seventy-four.” He slid his hand into hers and nudged her along. Using his index finger, he pushed up her chin. “Close your mouth, Jack. I’ve got someone I’d like you to meet.”
He stepped up to massive desk dominated by a pint-sized, purple-haired young woman. “Gina, this is my fiancée, Jack Price. Jack, this is Gina, the woman who keeps everything in my corporate world running like a well-oiled machine.”
Jack reached out a hand, but Gina jumped up and was already coming around the desk, engulfing Jack in a tight hug.
She pulled back, but held Jack’s arms. “You are just fabulous! It’s so nice to meet you. The office has been buzzing with talk of you all morning.”
Jack looked at her watch. “It’s only 9 a.m.”
“Doesn’t matter. You made quite the impression on Saturday. Anyone who can charm Edie Kincaid earns notoriety. Come sit, and let’s talk,” Gina said as she led Jack to an expensive-looking brown leather sofa. “Lathan, Mr. Conroy is waiting for you in your office.”
“Thanks, Gina.” He hooked a hand around Jack’s elbow. “Not so fast, Jack.” He pulled her in, cupped her face, and kissed the air clean out of her lungs. A self-satisfied smile curved his lips when he let her go. “For luck.”
“Umm, glad I could help,” she muttered, tingling from head to toe.
Lathan took a deep breath and reminded himself that he had this. His brother would do what had to be done if he was still alive, and Lathan would honor him by doing the same. Everett confirmed that Conroy’s replacement was willing to take over at the beginning of next week. Everett’s lawyer had already started undoing the mess Conroy had made. By next week, he should have his investment back and a new CFO he could trust.
He just had to get rid of the old one.
Opening his door, he greeted his CFO with a nod, and took a seat at his desk.
“I hear congratulations are in order. I wish I could have made it to the party Saturday, but something came up.”
Lathan leaned back in his chair and crossed an ankle over his knee. He eyed the man who had served Kincaid Industries for thirty years. He remembered him from his childhood as a fit man who played tennis on occasion with his father. Now, his hair had receded, gone snow- white, and he’d put on at least fifty pounds, most of it at his waistline and chin. “It’s okay; you weren’t missed.”
Conroy did a double take, setting that chin to wobbling. “Come again?”
“You have some explaining to do.”
He hooked a finger in the side of his collar. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“You sold an investment my brother made.”
“Well, I—”
“You committed fraud, you made a decision you had no right to make, and you’ve cost this company a significant profit.”
Conroy shot out of his chair and started to pace. “We never should have been part of that project. This company has always been headed in a certain direction. Vacation properties are a distraction from the ultimate goal.”
“You were the CFO; the direction of the company was not your call.”
“Were?”
“You’re fired.”
“You can’t fire me!”
Lathan stood. “I can, and I did.” He pressed the intercom button. “Gina, please send security to escort Mr. Conroy from the building.”
“You can’t do this. I’ve been a part of this company for thirty years. I’ve been making decisions for the good of this company since you and that brother of yours were playing in the dirt.”
“And you ruined it by going behind my back and committing fraud.”
Security arrived and stood in the now-open doorway. “I saved this company from a huge mistake your brother made. You think you have this all under control, don’t you? You don’t know a damn thing. If you did, you wouldn’t be marrying some woman you picked up from a roadside truck stop.”
Rage surged through Lathan’s blood. He bolted around the desk and grabbed the man by the throat. Hooking his fingers in Conroy’s collar, he twisted his fingers and squeezed. “One more word about her and I’ll make sure you can’t find a single job in the state. Understand me?”
His face turned a dark shade of red. His eyes widened and he jerked his head in affirmation.
“Good.” He turned to the men at the door. “Get him out of here.”
What were the chances she didn’t hear that cheap shot? Shit. There was only one way to find out.
She stood there at Gina’s desk, her hip cocked on the edge, looking at pictures from the Christmas party that Gina had pulled out. Lathan had let the women teach him that stupid whip and nae nae dance. It wasn’t his proudest moment, or most sober, and, like most embarrassing moments, someone hovered nearby with a camera.
A laugh bubbled out of her, but the amusement didn’t reach her eyes. So, she’d heard. How many other people were thinking the same thing? And how the hell was he going to keep comments like that from reaching her?
The silence was killing him. They had been on the road for twenty minutes and she still hadn’t said a word. Traffic lightened up the further they got away from Sacramento. He shed his jacket and tie.
“I know you heard what he said.”
She shrugged and kept her eyes on the road. “Doesn’t matter.”
Lathan turned in his seat. “Yes, it does.”
“Let it go, Lathan. I’ve never measured my worth by the opinions of others, and I’m not about to start now.”
“I never expected you did, but what he said was out of line. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry? You didn’t say it.”
“He was my employee, my responsibility.”
She tossed her head. “Oh, please. He’s a human being with a big mouth. You can’t control everything, Lathan. Since you can’t, you need to think long and hard about whether or not you really want to get into a marriage with me. If he said it, others are thinking it, and that could cause even more problems for you.”
“I’ve made my decision.”
She slanted him a look. “Why, because I’m willing?”
“Because you’re the one I want,” he said.
“If you say so.”
“I do, and I would appreciate you not questioning it.” Her comments hinted at her doubts as to his feelings. If Conroy were here right now, Lathan would kick his ass for stirring up trouble.
She gave him a grin. “You would, huh? Can I tell you a secret?”
“Absolutely.”
“I wanted to punt him in the balls when they hauled him out of there. Here, he committed fraud, but was taking my inventory. Pissed me off.”
Lathan laughed. “I would have loved to see it.”
She flexed her fingers on the wheel. “I’ve never been ashamed of what I do.”
“You shouldn’t be. You work hard, you have a successful business.”
“But for a split second…” she trailed off.
“What?” He smoothed a wayward hair from her face. “What were you about to say?”
“Nothing. Look, do you mind if we stop and see my dad now? We’re close to the rehab facility.”
He let it go for now, but one way or another he would banish that seed of self-doubt that Conroy had planted with his tantrum. “Let’s do it, Jack.”
They pulled into Stony Hollow less than ten minutes later. Lathan took her hand, and walked her inside. Nerves skittered through his system. He’d never met someone with Alzheimer’s before. Not knowing what to expect, he watched for cues from Jack and held onto her.
They checked in at the nurses’ station. “Hi Fran, how is he today?”
Fran, a round woman with rosy cheeks, smiled. “He’s having a good day so far. No outbursts and the occasional smile. Why don’t you go on in.”
He expected the smell of antiseptic and illness, but didn’t find it; if anything, the air smelled of a hint of vanilla. Live plants hung in the windows, where sunlight filtered through gauzy curtains.
Jack led him all the way down the hall where she pushed open the door. A husky man with curly red hair and a thick red mustache and beard sat in an easy chair, looking out the window.
“Hi, Daddy.”
Her father didn’t speak, but he reached out his arms to her. “Does he know who you are?” Lathan whispered.
“Not usually, no,” she said as she let go of Lathan’s hand and hugged her father.
“Peanut,” he whispered into her hair.
Jack drew back and searched her dad’s eyes. “You know who I am?”
“Of course I do, girl. You’re my little sidekick. Such a handful you were.”
“He remembers,” she whispered. She gave Lathan a radiant smile before turning back to her father. “Daddy, I want you to meet someone. This is my fiancé, Lathan. Lathan, my father, Patrick.”
“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” Lathan said and shook the man’s hand. His rough grip was solid. A handshake Lathan could respect.
“Fiancé?”
“Yes, I’m getting married.”
“To a suit?” Patrick said.
She laughed and patted her father’s hand. “Yes, Daddy, to a suit.”
“I hope he knows what he’s getting into,” Patrick said with a snicker.
“I’ve got an idea, sir,” Lathan nodded and turned his smile on Jack.
“Brave man. I like him.”
Her father tired easily, and within fifteen minutes of arriving he started fading. When he looked at them with confusion, Lathan took that as a hint to get out while they could still call the visit a good one.
“How often is he lucid like that?”
“Last time I saw him lucid like that was at least a month ago.”
“So, today was a good day.”
“It was. Thank you for agreeing to stop. When I think that I might have missed that...”
He took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her skin. “Anything you want, Jack. Anytime. Just say the word.”
8
Jack and Jeremy’s house was hopping with friends and coworkers. Classic rock poured out from the speakers, and beer and wine were in large supply in the kitchen. Jeremy had called and asked Jack and Lathan to pick up barbecue and wings, creating quite the spread on the dining room table.
Lathan had been accosted by the guys and was currently getting his ass kicked in darts. The humiliation was nothing another beer wouldn’t fix. Jeremy, his main man, was on it, too. The minute he finished one, another cold one was in his hand. Jeremy was growing on him.
“So, Lathan, when are you marrying my sister?”
Kurt and Dave both stopped with the darts and looked at Lathan expectantly.
Ah, so this is how they were going to do it. On Jeremy’s turf, when he had people surrounding him to back him up. Not entirely surprising. “A week from Saturday.”
“Is your rich family going to stuff her into some poufy dress that’s nothing at all like her?” Jeremy gave him a hard look.
Okay, he was the big brother and filling in for their dad, so Lathan would let it slide. For now. His assuming Lathan was some kind of prick trying to change Jack grated on Lathan’s nerves.
Lathan had to remind himself that Jeremy hadn’t had the benefit of meeting his family, so all he knew was Lathan had a ton of money and that he’d proposed to his sister on the fly. “From what I understand, Jack told my mother and aunts exactly what she wants and they’re honoring her wishes.”
Jeremy snorted and Lathan had to fight of the irritation growing in him. Jeremy had been exuding attitude for most of the night. Lathan let it roll off at first, but he’d just about reached his breaking point.
“Like your rich family is going to give a crap about what Jack wants. They’re going to worry about appearances… I’m surprised they haven’t put the brakes on this whole charade.”
Lathan snapped and before he thought better of it, he had two fistfuls of Jeremy’s shirt in his hands and had pinned him against the wall. He wasn’t ordinarily a violent man, but now, twice in one day, he’d put his hands on someone.
“Hey, knock that shit off!” Jack pushed between them, shooting a glare at her brother. “What did you say to him?”
“What makes you think it was me?” Jeremy asked with his palms out and an incredulous look on his face.
Jack stuck a finger right in his sternum. “Because I know you, you push buttons. Lathan doesn’t just put his hands on people over nothing.”
“Aww, known him for under a week and already coming to his defense,” Jeremy said in a mocking tone.
“It was your sister you were talking shit about, so when it comes down to it, she’s coming to her own defense,” Lathan pointed out.
Jack whipped her head around and pushed Jeremy against the wall, rattling the dart case hanging on the wall when she did. “What were you saying about me?”
“I just don’t want this wedding to be about appearances and not about what you want.”
Jack took a step back. “Jeremy, they were nice about it and made notes about everything I wanted. I know you love me and want to protect me, but you need to trust me to do this.”
Jeremy tugged Jack’s ponytail and gave Jack a sad smile. “I don’t want them to change you.”
“They never tried, not even once.” Lathan kept his mouth shut as Jack hugged her brother. Her brother held on tight, the look on his worried face deflating the last of Lathan’s anger. Jeremy was scared for his sister. The more time Lathan spent with Jack, in her house, with her friends, the more he worried about her, too. His family wouldn’t try to change her, but would she compromise pieces of her life to accommodate his? He didn’t want that for her, and as soon as he had an opportunity they were going to discuss it.
“Shit. Lathan, I’m sorry. I’m being a prick,” Jeremy said with his arm slung around Jack’s shoulder.
“Forget it. You’re being an older brother. I imagine if I had a little sister, I would do the same.”
Jeremy hooked his arm around Lathan. “Come on, let’s grab another beer.”
Jack shook her head and peeled Jeremy’s arm off Lathan. “Oh, no. I think you need a break. I’m going to take Lathan for a walk. We’ll be back.”
The air grew crisp as the sun started to go down. They grabbed their jackets and stepped out for a walk. “Thank you for today,” Jack said.
Lathan laughed. “For what, having an employee make you feel like gutter trash or for grabbing your brother?”
“For being offended for me, being kind to my father, and for not letting my brother get away with mouthing off.”
“It’s been a day for shit storms hasn’t it?”
“A little bit, but I’m focusing on the good. My dad recognized me and he was able to meet you. I didn’t expect that and I’m grateful for it. It makes the other not so important.”
She took a seat on the wooden bench next to the body shop and patted the bench next to her.
Lathan cupped her chin and kissed her lips. “The other isn’t important. My family loves you. I—”
“You made me a promise. Anything I want. I’m ready to collect,” Jack interrupted.
Jack’s heart thundered in her chest. Afraid he was going to say three little words she couldn’t stand to hear, she scrambled for something, anything to distract him. Easy affection, protection, and kind words had added a few more dents in her armor today. Protecting herself had become crucial.
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