Buster had admitted he overheard part of my conversation with Ian on the boat and knew the gist of what had happened years ago. He swore to keep it to himself, but as I stared at Michael’s angry face, the one that hid a hurt disappointment, I knew it was time for Ian to tell his brother the truth.
“Ian,” I started, and he nodded to me.
“I know, love.”
“I’m going to go.” Buster said, and headed for his room. “This is a family matter.”
“Buster,” Ian’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “You are family. If you wish to stay, please do.”
Buster shook his head firmly. “This is a matter between the two of you. I’ll be safely in my room until you need my help to do whatever it is you decide to.” His smile was tight, but genuine, and Ian nodded. Michael’s tension didn’t lessen with the exchange, instead growing as he realized he was the only one who didn’t know what was going on. Ian held up a hand to him.
“Brother, be easy. I’ll tell you everything.” He gave a deep sigh and looked toward me.
“I’m going to bed. It’s been a long night.” I met Ian’s eyes to make sure he agreed with this. I didn’t want him to think I was abandoning him in his hour of need, but I had the feeling he needed to tell Michael on his own. This was one demon I couldn’t face with him. He gave me a grateful smile as he nodded, and I turned to the bedroom door. At the last second, I turned around and told them, “Just so we’re clear … that bitch will pay.” I spun back around, not missing the slow blink of Michael’s eyes as I entered my room, shutting the door behind me.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ian
“Dear God, I don’t know if there’s enough bourbon in this city for what you’re about to tell me,” Michael exclaimed, walking toward the bar in our room in a slow daze. “Did she really just say bitch?”
“She did,” I admitted with no small amount of pride. “Our Jane has claws.”
Michael held up a bottle, and I nodded. I hadn’t finished the other bottle. Jane’s kisses had proved a more pleasant diversion for my mind than alcohol, and I wound up handing it off to some inebriated couple at the dock. However, this revelation promised to be a bit more painful, and I knew we’d both need the fortification.
“I assume she’s referring to Audra?”
I nodded again, my chest tightening at the thought of telling him everything. I’d held it in for so long, it seemed impossible to explain to him now what had happened all those years ago.
As Michael took in my expression, his changed. The anger was gone, and in its place was a reluctant understanding. He gripped my shoulder with his free hand and met my eyes.
“You don’t have to tell me, brother. I can see how much it hurts you, and understand this …. I will support you. If you never speak a word of what pains you, I will still be your brother. I will love you, no matter what.” He gave me a pained smile. “Jane’s anger is proof enough for me. Point me in the direction of your demons, brother, and I will gladly vanquish them, without ever knowing the reason why. My loyalty belongs with you.”
I reached up, gripping his shoulder as he had mine, our arms tight against one another, grateful for his unwavering acceptance. He didn’t demand an answer, and as loathe as I was to admit the past, I knew I had to. He deserved as much, after years of dealing with my exploits, and the niggling fear that I had, the one where he rejected me as our parents had, was the one demon I had left to fight, and the only way to do so was to tell him.
“It is only your rejection I fear now, brother,” I admitted with a deep sigh. His eyes narrowed slightly as he tilted his head, and he pressed his thumb against the soft flesh of my neck, drawing my attention.
“Then you need fear nothing.”
He pulled me toward him, the hug bone crushing before releasing me with a shove toward the sofa.
“Now, tell me, so we can lay this to rest.”
And so, I told him.
The bottle rested empty between us as I finished. Michael’s eyes shut, and as the silence lengthened, I became restless, awaiting his condemnation. When they finally opened, unshed tears gleamed in the light. His deep sigh and the pinch of his nostrils reflected the rage he held at bay.
I waited, and finally he spoke.
“They are on the verge of bankruptcy.”
I swayed at the unexpected words. Or maybe it was the capacious amounts of alcohol I’d consumed. No, it was the words, so improbable, I had difficulty comprehending them.
“Bankruptcy?” I echoed stupidly. “How?”
Michael’s laugh was an echo of my own disbelief.
“How do they do anything? They paid half a million pounds to abort their own grandchild. I imagine they’ve been on a slippery slope of poor decisions for quite some time.” The anger that throbbed in his voice as he mentioned my child reflected my own, comforting me, even as my confusion increased.
“But bankruptcy? The company … it’s worth a fortune. You’ve made it so, Michael.”
“I have. But their spending both inside and outside the company has been disastrous. They are on the edge of financial ruin. This buyout is the only thing that could save them now. The board of directors finally stepped in at the last meeting. We use this buyout to stabilize the company, get an influx of funds, and they will appoint someone else as CEO.”
“You,” I stated, knowing it was the most logical choice.
“Yes, me.”
I didn’t understand why he was telling me this. It explained why he kept resisting my idea of buying the company together and managing it, instead of selling it for parts. “Does this mean you could save the company that’s being bought?” Michael was shaking his head before I even finished.
“No. The money from dismantling it would be necessary. They couldn’t afford the wait for it to become profitable again.”
I nodded, understanding.
“But in the future, you could do what you always wished. Restructure companies instead of breaking them down.”
“I could.” Michael’s eyes were hooded as they met my mine. “Or I could step aside and watch as everything they have burns to the ground.”
“You’ve been planning this,” I stated, seeing his actions in an entirely different light. A slow smile crossed his face at my words, and I contemplated the ramifications of his decision. Michael had no sympathy for anyone that would do harm to those he loved. My fear of his rejection had been foolish, and now he was intent on proving it to me.
“I have,” he admitted without an ounce of shame.
“Did you know what happened?” My mind slipped to Jane, but I knew she hadn’t told Michael, his reaction made that clear enough.
“I knew something happened to you, but it took me years to figure out the guilty parties. I didn’t know the entire story, but I couldn’t allow them to go unpunished for your pain.”
“You don’t have to do this.” My words were hollow. I knew he would do it.
“Trust me. Nothing would give me greater pleasure.” From the light in his eyes, he spoke the truth and if that were the case ….
“Are we buying the company then?”
“Yes. With one stipulation.”
I arched an eyebrow, curious as to what it would be.
“You will finish university.”
I eyed him dubiously, but he was content to wait me out, until with a wretched sigh, I finally consented. Michael would win one way or another, and it wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Jane was starting school in the fall, and we could go together, which brought me to another matter.
My eyes slid to the door Jane slept behind, and I lost my smile for a moment. When I looked back at my brother, he seemed to understand where my thoughts had been.
“We can’t lose her, Michael.”
“I know, brother.” He took a deep breath. “I know.” He leaned forward, his hands cradling a now empty glass. “Let us deal with the matters at hand. We will sort out our arrangement with Jane, once we’ve dealt w
ith our parents and Audra.”
He tilted his glass toward mine and, as they clinked together, he said, “To our independence.”
The next morning, I woke to find Jane staring at me. She was still in her pajamas, her feet curled under her as she sat on the coffee table next to the sofa. Her hair was in a loose braid, and her fingers played with the end of it nervously.
“What has you in a tizzy, love?”
She rocked back, almost tumbling off the table, and I captured her arm to keep her from falling.
“You’re awake!”
“Awfully observant this morning.” I smirked at her frown and used my grip on her arm to tug her into my lap.
“Oh!” she gasped as she landed.
“Now, where were we?” She remained stiff for a moment before relaxing against me. Her simple trust eased the knot in my chest. The timeline for her departure loomed closer and with each passing day I grew more disgruntled at the thought of her leaving. Michael had made me promise to finish university, but he hadn’t specified a location, and as much as it would pain me to leave him, I would follow Jane.
“I don’t remember,” she answered, and it took me a second to remember my initial question.
“What has you upset?”
“I’m not upset,” she said, her fingers curling around her hair once again. I captured them gently as I tilted her chin up.
“Then why are you fiddling with your hair?” Her grumpy frown amused me, and I stroked the length of her braid, the dark strands silky beneath my hand.
“I … was checking to make sure it hadn’t come undone,” she replied with a triumphant grin. I tugged on the end of it as I raised a knowing eyebrow. She gave a defeated sigh and leaned back against me. “What happened last night? Where’s Michael?” Uncertainty laced her voice, and it dawned on me she thought we’d had a row.
“He had an important business meeting this morning.” My smile was that of a confidante. “He’s decided we should buy the company together. He’s making them an offer as we speak.”
She gasped excitedly and clenched my hand. “Really? Should you be there? Do you think they’ll take it? What about your parents?”
Her questions bombarded me, and I held up a hand.
“It’s Michael, love. Of course, they’ll take it. As to whether I need to be there, let’s just say I’ll be a silent partner in this endeavor.” The last question had me pausing for a moment. Michael, Buster, and I had devised a plan in the wee hours of the morning, and my part necessitated a trip to England. A fact I wasn’t looking forward to in the least, as it meant I would miss time with Jane.
“What is it?” She placed a gentle finger against my lip, and the frown I felt there turned to a small smile. “You look unhappy when you should be ecstatic.”
“I’m afraid dealing with my parents will involve a brief trip. Michael can’t afford to leave at the moment, so it’ll need to be me.” Her downcast eyes failed to hide her disappointment.
“How long?”
“Three … four days, tops.”
Her eyes shot up to mine at my reply.
“That’s quick.”
“I don’t see any point in lingering. Michael thinks I need closure, and that I’ll derive a certain satisfaction from informing them of the imminent departure of their sons from the family business.” I waggled my eyebrows at her, garnering a grin. “I can’t say he’s wrong, but I will miss you.” The words were a little heavier than I intended, ruining the lighthearted mood I was striving for.
“It’s only a few days,” she told me with a forced smile. “Maybe I can get Michael to tour the city with me. I doubt he’s seen anything more than the streets to work and back.”
“Undoubtedly, you are correct.” I cupped her face between my hands and swallowed hard. “We discussed you traveling with me.” She blinked at me in surprise, but it was the slight hope on her face that made my heart soar. “But the trip is so short, and in truth I don’t want you anywhere near my parents’ vitriol.” Her face fell, and, as she struggled to smile, I smoothed my thumb along her velvety cheek. “I want to show you the country I was born in.” Her eyes met mine, and I gave her a soft smile. “But it would take an entire summer to do so, and I don’t want to rush. Please believe me when I say I don’t take leaving lightly. There is nothing more that I wish than to spend every waking moment with you, but this must be done.” My smile turned brittle at the thought of our upcoming confrontation. “They need to be purged from our lives, so we can move on.”
She nodded and bit her lip as conflicting emotions raced through her eyes. I leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to her lips.
“Do not fret, Jane.” She frowned at how easily I read her emotions. “You are an open book to me, and how you feel about your parents is vastly different from how I view mine. This is a long time coming and brings with it a hard won peace.”
She nodded, and I witnessed a small struggle before she finally asked her next question.
“And Audra?”
“Ah, Audra.” I smiled at the memory of Michael’s face, as he demanded the right to deal with her. “Well, it seems Michael has plans for her. In fact, he seemed eager, and who am I to deny him his pleasure?”
The wicked little smile that came over her face then caused a jolt of pure heat to sizzle through me. I pressed my thumb against her chin, forcing her lips to part, and captured the plump lower lip that drove me nuts.
“Aw, bloody hell. Is this what I have to look forward to from now on?” The elevator doors slid shut as Buster barged in, a bag in his hand, and a cocky smile on his face. “If so, when is it my turn?”
Our lips parted, and the tip of Jane’s tongue came out to press against the lip I’d just devoured. I bit back a groan and refrained from uttering a sharp retort over Buster’s untimely interruption.
“You have beignets?” Jane asked, distracted by the distinctive bag in Buster’s hand.
“Well, I know one way to the lassie’s heart.”
I dropped my arm with a sigh as Jane scrambled off my lap and reached for the bag Buster held. He held it out of her reach, and I chuckled as she jumped, trying to grab it.
I met his eyes as Jane frowned, and from the seriousness reflected there, he knew the story. I spread my fingers wide, lifting my hand in inquiry. He gave a subtle shake of his head, and the subject was forgotten.
Jane set her hands on her hips, her expression mutinous. “Why did you bring them if you won’t let me have them?” She pouted, tilting her head to meet Buster’s eyes.
“Maybe I want something in return,” he bargained, and her eyes narrowed.
“Such as?”
“A kiss?” Buster gambled, his eyes darting to mine quickly. I gave him a quick grin, glad he’d understood my message. Jane tensed slightly, but then determination crossed her face.
“Is that all?” She scoffed, reaching up and snagging the neck of his shirt. She gave it a hard tug, and he leaned down so she could reach him. I watched as her lips met his, parting as his tongue slipped in, and shifted as I hardened at the sight. Any jealousy I may have felt disappeared at her moan of pleasure when Buster cupped her ass, lifting her up. She wound her legs around his hips and I feared for the pastries as he crushed the bag against her back.
I cleared my throat and Buster lifted his head, giving me a narrow glare. I lifted my eyebrow as I said, “Intending to share?”
Jane ducked her head into Buster’s neck, hiding pink cheeks.
“Jane, love. I don’t mind. In fact, I quite enjoyed the show.” She moaned in embarrassment as Buster chuckled.
“Perhaps we should take it slow,” he suggested, lifting Jane over the edge of the couch and plopping her down with the bag of beignets. Jane curled next to me, offering the bag, and I selected one of the sugary pastries.
“Still warm.” I nodded, impressed. “You must have hauled ass.” A sharp little elbow digging into my side had me correcting myself. “Hauled butt this morning.”
B
uster smirked at my correction, mouthing, “Whipped.”
To which Jane replied, “Don’t think I didn’t catch that curse word when you came in this morning, Buster McTavish.”
I raised my eyebrows as he gave an abashed apology.
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen,” I caroled, amused by the power she held over us all.
“I recall a certain lady using a curse word last evening.” I teased, running my finger under her ribcage and laughing as she squirmed away.
“She is a bitch, and I won’t apologize for it. In fact, I’ll make her pay for it.” She gasped around a giggle, and it was Buster’s turn to raise an eyebrow.
“Remind me never to piss her off,” he said, pointing to a giggling Jane. “She’s got a mean streak in her I wouldn’t have expected. Couple that with the fact I know she can bring a man down in less than thirty seconds, and I’d stay on her good side.”
“I plan to,” I answered with a wide smile. “So, you’ll go with me?”
“Aye,” Buster replied with a sigh, settling into the chair across from us. “I’m not going to let you face them alone.” His frown was ferocious and I wondered if I’d be forced to save my parents from Buster’s wrath. Michael wouldn’t be pleased if Buster wound up in jail. I think his intention in sending Buster was to keep me from going off half-cocked. I didn’t think I’d be going off on another one of my binges after my talk with Jane, but I could use the support. Dealing with my parents in any capacity was a task I loathed, but this time it promised to be even more spectacular than normal. “In case you need someone to bail you out with the coppers.”
I laughed, but didn’t discount the possibility.
“When do you leave?” Jane asked, her earlier happiness disappearing at the thought of our absence. I rubbed a smudge of powdered sugar off her cheek, as I sent an inquiring look towards Buster. Michael would have made arrangements by now.
Charming Jane_A Reverse Harem Romance Page 23
