by Linzi Basset
“This is ridiculous. I don’t have time to waste.” Deborah jumped up just as the door opened. Her gasp traveled to the large man standing in the opening. He regarded her with a look so cold, a chill raced down her spine.
“Sit down, Mother. We have a lot to discuss.” Her legs crumbled and she slumped back into the chair.
“Cole! What the devil are you doing here?” Carson jumped up but didn’t approach his older brother. Of a much smaller frame, he’d always been wary of his muscled sibling.
“Samantha didn’t give you my message?” Cole smirked as he closed the door behind him and walked to the front of the room.
“It’s so good to see you, my son.” Deborah stared at him like he was a ghost. Her eyes moved over his large frame. He was a formidable man. One who oozed confidence and power. Her heart began to pound against her chest as a sense of foreboding filled her mind.
“Is it? Somehow, I doubt it but believe me, by the time I leave you’ll wish I never came back.”
“Enough of this shit. You have no right to burst in here and throw around your weight. You walked away from this business remember, from your own family! Go! There’s the door. We don’t want you here.” Carson trembled visibly no matter how hard he attempted to appear unrattled.
“Shut up and sit down, Carson.”
Carson plonked down in the chair without giving his brain the order. He stared at Cole with a disgruntled expression on his face. He silently cursed Samantha’s bad handling of the situation in Dallas. She was supposed to be discreet so that Cole didn’t realize she had been acting on their orders. He smiled to himself. At least she managed to break up his relationship with that cheap slut he’d taken on the class road trip. If there was one thing Deborah Sawyer refused to allow, it was that her sons damaged their good name by being involved with a poor no name professor. Even if it was the one who had turned his back on the family ten years ago.
“What is this about, Cole? For heaven’s sake, my son, couldn’t you have come to the house first so we could catch up?” Deborah didn’t have a good feeling about Cole’s sudden arrival at the company.
“I agree. Besides, you have no authority here. Let’s go, Mother. This is a waste of our—”
“In case you forgot, Carson, I still own twenty percent shares in Sawyer Industries.”
“Like hell you do!”
“It seems you forgot the division of father’s shares in his will, brother dear.”
Carson went as pale as a sheet. He glared at Deborah. “You told me he didn’t accept them. That you bought him out. Was that a lie?”
“Carson, this is not the time.” Deborah ignored Carson who sputtered in anger. “So, why are you here, Cole?”
“I warned you ten years ago to stay out of my life. You ruined my chance at happiness because of your demented beliefs once. I won’t allow you to do it again.”
“Alexandra wasn’t the right woman for you.”
“I’m not going to have the same discussion with you as before, Mother. You didn’t listen or care then and I sure as hell know you don’t now either.” He leaned his elbows on the back of a chair and pinned her with a piercing look. “This time I’m not going to walk away. You interfered in my life for the last time.
“What are you gonna do, big brother? Threaten us with selling your shares?”
Cole’s bark of laughter shattered Deborah and Carson’s fragile hold at being in charge.
“I’m here to inform you that you’ll have to scale down on your exorbitant lifestyle, starting with the house you’ve been living in since Dad passed away.”
“Fuck you. It’s Mother’s house, so why would we? The way we live has nothing to do with you.”
Cole looked at Deborah with a grim smile. “It seems you have mastered the art of deceit, Mother. Are you going to tell him, or shall I?”
“Tell me what?”
“Cole, please, this isn’t the place,” Deborah implored at the same time as Carson’s curt question exploded from his lips.
“Me then. The house was never hers. Dad asked that it wasn’t mentioned during the reading of the will because he wanted to spare everyone your wrath, piteous as it always is, but nevertheless.”
“Get to the fucking point.” Carson was now sitting on the edge of his seat.
“Dad bequeathed the house to me. I suppose it was his way of trying to make amends for the part he played in Alexandra’s death.”
“She committed suicide! We had nothing to do with it.”
Cole slammed the chair forward and everyone around the table jumped in fright.
“You had everything to do with it. You made her believe she wasn’t good enough for me. You destroyed her self-confidence and you, Mother, you gave her the medication to abort my child.”
Deborah’s eyes widened and her skin went pasty. No one had known about it except Alexandra. There was no way Cole could have found out. “I would never have done that.”
“And yet you did. Don’t look so shocked, Mother. Yes, I know about it and do you know how?”
“It’s a lie. I didn’t … I—”
“She was still alive when I found her. In those final moments before her death, she realized she’d made a mistake. That she’d judged me by your standards and given up our dream of a happy ever after. She told me about it and begged me not to let her die. To do anything I could to save her and our baby.” Cole’s hands turned white around the edges of the chair. “I couldn’t. It was too late. The medication you gave her, not only killed our child, it killed her too.”
“No! That’s impossible.”
“She was allergic to two of the components. You killed her and for that, I’ll never forgive you.”
“Why hash up the past now, Cole? You had ten years to take your revenge. This is what it is, right? You’re here to extract your pound of flesh from us.”
“I left after her death because I couldn’t accept she was gone. It took me years to get over it and I managed only because I worked myself to death.” He straightened as he looked at Deborah. “The only reason I allowed you to stay in the house and didn’t destroy you then is because of Dad. Yes, I hated him for not stepping in and putting an end to the blasphemy you spouted to Alexandra, but I know he supported my choice and decision to marry her. Over the years it didn’t matter as much anymore. As long as I didn’t hear or see you, I was content.”
Cole glanced around the table. He smiled at David. He was the only one who knew what was coming.
“But you had to go and tip the scales. You interfered again and this time, I won’t stand for it. I found the woman I am going to spend the rest of my life with.”
Carson laughed. “From what I heard, she dropped you and disappeared. It doesn’t say much for your so-called happy ever after picture, does it?” His shriek echoed through the room as Cole was on him before he noticed him move. He yanked him out of the chair by the scruff of his neck. A fist exploded against his chin, flinging him back in the chair that toppled over.
“Five minutes ago, I might have changed my mind but you just sealed yours and Mother’s fate. You are heartless and care for no one other than yourselves. Well, this is going to be your chance to show each other just how much you care.”
“Carson, stop your whining.” Deborah snapped at him as he struggled to his feet and fell into a chair. “Cole, please calm down. Let’s go home and discuss this calmly.”
“I am calm. As I said earlier, I own twenty percent of the shares. Carson ten and you thirty. The balance of the shares was split among the board members.”
“What do you mean … was?” Deborah spat as she glared at the others around the table.
“I bought them out. I am now the primary shareholder of Sawyer Industries, Mother.” He glanced at his watch. “At least for another hour.”
“That can’t be true. David! Tell me he’s lying,” Deborah cried in a broken voice.
“I’m afraid it is. We’re all disgusted with how you and Carson have mi
smanaged the legacy Benjamin left behind. Not to mention how badly you treat the employees who have remained loyal over the years because of their love for your late husband.” David shook his head. “What you did to this poor boy all those years ago … it broke Benjamin. He couldn’t get over the loss of his son, of how cruel his own wife and younger son were to destroy the happiness of one of their own. You caused his death, Deborah. The heart attack he had after Cole told him how Alexandra had died was your fault. He never recovered. He mourned on behalf of his son and he mourned losing his son because of what you did. It’s time you pay for your sins.”
Deborah sunk lower in the chair. She stared at Cole in defeat. “You told him?”
“He found me with Alexandra. He had to pry her from my arms so the paramedics could take her away.” Cole shrugged. “He always had a way to make me talk.”
“I never meant for her to die. I swear, Cole. I only wanted to—”
“Yes, you wanted to kill the baby she was carrying. My child. My flesh and blood, Mother. Didn’t that mean anything to you?”
Deborah lowered her head and clamped her hands together. She didn’t know this man in front of her. He still looked like her son but the hatred he didn’t bother to hide from her, had changed him. He was going to destroy her … just like she’d destroyed him.
“I won’t let history repeat itself. You will stay away from me and Sage.”
Deborah nodded. “What are you going to do now?”
“In an hour from now, my primary shares in Sawyer Industries will be owned in equal shares by the employees of the company.”
“You can’t be fucking serious!” Carson exploded.
“Oh, but I am, dear brother. The current board members and I have voted David to be the Chairman of the new board until the employees have voted in their representatives, at which time a new Chairman will be voted in.” He smiled derisively at the shocked expressions of Deborah and Carson. “Yes, you are now no more than employees. You will each receive a new portfolio. If you don’t like what is given to you, you have the choice to sell your shares and leave.”
“Yes, but don’t expect too much,” David said with a smile. “The six of us bought the same equal shares as the rest of the employees at the same price Cole offered it to them. In case you haven’t seen the stock exchange this morning, Sawyer Enterprises has been delisted.”
“Why would you do that?” Deborah stared at Cole in shock.
“Because it’s never what Dad wanted for the company. He always said he built the company with the employees for the employees.”
“What did you mean by not expecting too much?” Carson nursed his jaw, glaring at David.
“Cole sold all his shares, including the ones he bought from us back to the employees at one dollar per unit. No one is going to offer you a penny more.” David didn’t feel one iota of sympathy for the defeated expression on the two Sawyers’ faces. They had gotten their just deserves.
“One more thing. I found a buyer for the house. You have thirty days to move out.” Cole shook everyone’s hand as he made for the door.
“Cole, please. You can’t do that. It’s our home! It has been since you were born. Where are we supposed to go? You’re destroying everything the Sawyer name ever stood for.”
He turned to look at his mother. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t find an inch of love or emotion for the woman who had brought him into the world.
“No, Mother. You destroyed it the day you gave Alexandra those pills. You should’ve been in jail but you’re getting off lightly. Where are you supposed to go? Quite frankly, I don’t give a fuck. You’re getting exactly what you deserve. This is your penance.” He hesitated. His lips thinned as he made a concession he hadn’t planned on. “I am prepared to buy your shares at the same rate I paid for the others. You can accept my offer or you can become humble and honor father and Alexandra by staying on and helping these good people to make Sawyer Enterprises what Father wished it to be.” He opened the door and looked back at them one final time. “You have one week to decide.” His eyes darkened and his voice deepened. “Heed my warning. Stay away from Sage and me. Interfere again and I will completely destroy you.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Are you sure about this, Sage? You do know for all intents and purposes you are still Cole’s submissive. If he’s not back and he finds out you’ve been at The Rouge Lounge in a scene with another Dom … I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.”
“He’s back.” Sage pulled on the low demi cup of the bralette leather mini dress she was wearing. It had cost an arm and a leg but it had been a purposeful purchase. She needed armor to boost her confidence. Tonight would seal her fate. One way or the other.
“How do you know?”
“I got a phone call from him last night.” Sage stared at the entrance of the upscale restaurant that was the front for the BDSM dungeon below ground.
“You spoke to him?”
“No. I couldn’t get myself to answer the phone and he didn’t leave a message either.”
“Then how do you know he’s back and for that matter, will be at the club tonight?”
“He hasn’t phoned me for three weeks, Talia. I believe it was because he was in California.” She shrugged. “Instinct tells me he’s here tonight.”
“You’re going to walk straight into an inferno of pain if you deliberately scene with someone else. He’s a very possessive man. More so as a Dom. You’re looking for trouble.”
“Maybe but one way or the other, tonight he’s going to own up to what he did.” She opened the car door. “If he wants me out of his life, he’ll freaking tell me so face to face.”
“Well, that’s surprising, especially since it’s exactly what he’d been trying to do all this time. I thought you believed he’d been about to fuck Samantha Brady that night and that he followed her to Los Angeles.”
“I never said it in so many words but I did witness the highly volatile sexual kiss they shared. I have the right to demand recompense and tonight he’s going to feel exactly what I did.”
“You’re a lunatic! Taunting him by reenacting that kiss with another Dom in full view of him … think about it, please, I beg you. Not just for your own sake but for the poor Dom who would suffer just as dourly as you.”
“I have been thinking about it, Talia. I’ve had two months. I believed that I’m not worthy of him. That woman made me feel inferior and for a brief period, I lost the self confidence that Cole helped me to find within myself.”
Sage got out of the car. Talia scrambled after her and activated the alarm. She trotted along with Sage stomping across the street to the entrance of the club. She squared her shoulders and looked at Talia.
“But now I know I’m worthy of him. I might not be rich and famous but I’m honorable and I refuse to disregard the feelings I have for Cole Sawyer. I know what I saw with my own two eyes but something tells me he never wavered from the path we were on at the time. He has too much honor and integrity. He made a commitment of exclusivity to me. Deep inside, I believe he never broke it, irrespective of what I saw. I love him and although he’s a bastard for what he did, he will fucking make it right. For the first time in my life, I’m going to fight for what I want, Talia.” Her nose tilted higher. “I want him and come what fucking may, I’m going to get him.”
“Now, that’s the spirit. Very well, my friend but please heed my warning and be cautious about how you approach the situation. Do not taunt the devil or you might just get burned.”
“I don't happen to be scared of his fire. Let him come. This time, I’m ready for him.”
“You have never faced his wrath, my friend. Believe me, I’ve heard the tales. Do not fuck up the one chance you have to secure your future with him by being irrational. Just find him and talk to him, for heaven’s sake. Forget about this … this tit for tat shit!”
“Now, what would be the fun in that?”
“Oh, good lord,” Talia moaned as they
walked through the door and headed down the hidden hallway leading to the dungeon. “You have lost your mind. I wash my hands. I tried.”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry, Talia. You’re absolved from feeling any remorse or guilt no matter the outcome of my actions tonight.”
“Not if I’m the one who has to pick up the pieces when he obliterates you.”
Talia’s growl brought a tingling laugh from Sage and she smiled brightly as they paid the entrance fee and handed over their coats to the receptionist.
It had taken two months for her to realize that perhaps she’d been wrong not to talk to Cole. To at least listen to what he had to say. If he had no intention of continuing with their relationship, he wouldn’t have bothered to try and get hold of her day in and day out. The three weeks that he’d stopped phoning had been the hardest. She believed he’d given up. Until he called again the previous night. She had listened to his voice message over and over until the early morning hours. He had sounded tired, defeated, and sad. Most of all … lonely. It was as if she could feel him reaching out to her, begging her to pull him out of the muck of despair.
She had no idea at what point she’d come to the decision to go to the club and confront him there, but when she woke up this morning, her mind was made up. The connection they had was too strong and too precious to throw away.
Yes, her life had crumbled around her when she’d walked around the corner to be confronted with the picture of Cole in a raw lustful kiss with another woman. But the hurt at that moment was nothing compared to the pain pulsing inside her at the thought of never seeing him again, of never feeling his arms around her, of never submitting to him in the most carnal and satisfying manner.
She had become his in more ways than one over the course of the road trip. She had submitted her body, mind, and soul to him. He had become her savior, her future, and lord help her, he had become her heartbeat … the man she loved more than life itself.
