I blinked. “That was my plan, I think.”
She shook her head with a smile. “Sorry, I get excited when someone lets me speak marketing geek. The reports tell me we’re on the right track with our ads.” She brushed a kiss to my cheek. “You helped me do all that.”
The need to have her closer was strong, and I caught her around the waist, pulling her to me. “I have to tell you that listening to your marketing geek is seriously turning me on, BB. It makes me want to interface with your software.”
Becca giggled, the sound making me smile.
Behind me, a throat cleared. “Ugh. I really didn’t need to hear that.”
I didn’t even bother turning around. “Go upstairs, Richard. Give me five minutes with my girl. You’ve had her all week.”
“We need to talk if all you need is five minutes, Reid.”
Releasing Becca, I turned and glared at him. “I only wanted to wish her a good night.”
He laughed, clapping my shoulder. “I know. I wanted to second Becca’s thanks. That report is brilliant. I told Bentley I was stealing it and you.”
“I see.”
“He told me to talk to you about the report since you created it, but I was informed by all three partners you were off-limits.” He huffed an exaggerated sigh. “No Becca, no Reid—the least you could do is give me a fair price on getting a licensed copy of that report. I could use that with all of my clients.”
“It belongs to BAM, not me. If Bentley says okay, I’ll make sure you have it.”
“He felt it was yours. I’ll talk to him again, because I really want it. Plus any upgrades you add to it later.”
“Becca told me what she needed. I just wrote it.”
“Well, you make one hell of a team.” He winked. “I’m going to give you those five minutes. I’ll meet you upstairs, Becca. Then we can call it a night.”
He left with a wave, and I turned to Becca.
“He’s right, you know,” she whispered. “We make a good team.”
“You think so?”
“Yes.” She stepped closer, linking her arms around my waist. “Why do I feel you’re putting up roadblocks, Reid? I know it’s been crazy for both of us, but I feel as if you’re pulling away. As if there’s something you’re not saying. Something big.”
I pressed a kiss to her forehead. We were both exhausted, our plates full, and under stress. I wasn’t going to add to hers by telling her what I was thinking—at least, not right now. Instead, I cupped her face and kissed her. It wasn’t deep and passionate, but it was filled with the words I couldn’t say, the fears I couldn’t express, and the thoughts that haunted my mind. It was soft, gentle, and intimate. It was hard to stop, and even harder to let go.
When I drew back, I dropped another kiss on her head. “Please don’t stay too long. You look so tired, BB.”
“You look haunted.”
I ran my knuckles down her cheek. She already knew me too well.
“We’ll talk.”
“Are you breaking up with me?”
“No.” I didn’t want to lose her, but once I told her everything, she might choose to break it off with me and I wouldn’t stand in her way. She deserved only the best.
I knew after I laid out the facts that she might realize the best wasn’t Reid Matthews.
She shook her head. “That feels like a lie,” she said sadly, then walked away and didn’t look back.
I watched her, wondering if she was right.
Reid
Despite the fact that we had all worked crazy hours and were tired, everyone was at the meeting Monday morning. The room buzzed with electricity and the excitement of success, and cheerful faces filled the room. Becca sat on one side of me, Richard the other. He was staying another few days before heading home. Becca offered me a smile, but she was quiet, staying busy on her phone. I wasn’t sure if it was business or an excuse not to engage, but I let it go. It wasn’t the place to ask her.
Aiden and Maddox sat in their usual spots, both relaxed and smiling. Bentley walked in, and everyone sat up straighter. He had a presence about him that made you want to pay attention. Sandy followed him, sitting beside Aiden, ready to take notes or aid him in any way needed. He remained standing and set down his coffee, his gaze sweeping the room. Aiden and Maddox stood, joining him at the head of the table.
“Ridge Towers began as a different vision, and we went through a tremendous amount of difficulty, both personally and professionally, to get to this stage.” Bentley paused, clearing his throat. I knew more than anyone what the project had cost him.
“This past weekend was considered a success by some. To us—Aiden, Maddox, and me—it was more than a success. It was a triumph. Each of you in this room helped to make that happen. And for that, we owe you a tremendous thank you.”
He began to clap, Maddox and Aiden joining in. Richard rose to his feet, adding to the noise, and soon the entire room rang out with enthusiastic applause.
When we settled, and Bentley sat, he grinned. “Sales are through the roof—pardon the pun—and we’re ahead of schedule. Thanks to the brilliance of Richard and Becca and their campaign, Ridge Towers, phase one, should be sold out within weeks.” He indicated Richard. “We are thrilled to have joined forces with The Gavin Group and look forward to a long relationship.”
Richard smiled. “We’re equally as elated with the success and the partnership. If I could, I wanted to add that Becca and I were impressed by the teamwork we saw this past while. We have never worked on a campaign that was handled with so much finesse.”
I was startled when his hand fell on my shoulder heavily. “Your technical people, Reid especially, are, without a doubt, the best I have ever worked with. Everything he promised, he delivered—and more. Not one person saw an error or glitch. If there were any, your people were on it so fast, it was as if it didn’t happen. You should be very proud of your team.”
There was another round of applause, the loudest coming from my three bosses. My ears burned at Richard’s words and the clapping. I hated to be the center of attention.
Becca’s hand slipped into mine under the table, giving it a quick squeeze. Before she could pull back, I grabbed her hand, holding it tight to my leg, needing her touch.
Bentley spoke more about the project and the future. Aiden and Maddox each had something to say, then Bentley stood for a final address to the table as a whole. “I know you’ve all put in long hours. See Sandy today, and she will assign you paid time off as a thank you. You can choose your days to make long weekends and enjoy some time with your family and friends. Lunch today is being catered and is for everyone as another thank you.”
Everyone dispersed, and the good mood lingered. Regretfully, I released Becca’s hand and walked to my office. I hadn’t even sat down when Maddox and Aiden came in. I tensed when Bentley followed, shutting my door. It was rare Bentley joined them, so I knew something was up. Maddox and Aiden sat in the chairs, but Bentley remained standing. It was his way of controlling the room.
I waited for them to speak, unsure what was happening.
Bentley met my curious gaze. “First off, you did an outstanding job. What Richard said was correct. I have never seen anything so smooth in my life.”
“Good,” I responded. “That was my goal.”
“He tells me the report you created gave him information it would have taken him hours to collect. He is beyond impressed.”
“Great.”
“As part of our partnership, I’m going to let him have access to that report to use. License it to him and The Gavin Group.”
“Okay, I’ll make the arrangements.”
He reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew an envelope, sliding it toward me. “This is for you, with our thanks.”
I didn’t touch it.
He pushed it farther. “You earned it, Reid. It’s yours.”
I picked it up, feeling the weight of the heavy stationery. The envelope was thick, my name written in
black in Bentley’s neat cursive on the front.
I met their gazes steadily. “Thank you. I didn’t expect anything. I was only doing my job.”
Aiden snorted. “Reid, you go above and beyond your job daily. We’re all aware of what you do around here. You deserve it and more.”
Something prickled at my eyes, and I blinked to clear them. “Thanks,” I mumbled again.
Maddox chuckled. “Okay, we’ll leave it there. We have one more thing to discuss with you.”
I slid the envelope into my desk drawer. I would look at it later in private. Grabbing a pen, I pulled my notebook close. “Okay, what do you need me to do?”
“You won’t need notes,” Maddox assured me. “I spoke with Bentley and Bill in the legal department about your passport.”
“Oh.” My embarrassment reappeared, my ears burning with heat.
He tapped the desk. “You’re coming to the wedding, Reid. You can apply for a passport, and you should be able to get one. There are no travel restrictions where we’re going, if you have a record. Bill is going to work with you on it, and he’ll also help you apply to clear your criminal record.”
Bentley spoke up. “I’m surprised you haven’t done that. Your lawyer should have advised you.”
I snorted. “I had a string of public defenders, Bentley. I never had a lawyer who cared.”
“You didn’t check into it?”
I tossed my glasses onto the desk and scrubbed my face. “To be honest, no. When I got out of jail, I just tried to survive. I did everything I was supposed to do. I stayed within the law. I followed my probation to the letter. When that ended, all I wanted was to move away from it.” I met Bentley’s gaze. “I never thought about the future. Travel, a job . . . other things—all of it seemed unattainable.”
He shook his head. “It’s not, Reid. You have a job, a new life, and people who care. A future. You have proven yourself worthy of it to us.” He cocked his head, studying me. “When will you believe you’re worthy of it yourself?”
His words hit me, and I stared at him.
He leaned on the desk, his voice low. “We’re your family, and we take care of family. This company will help with your passport issue and stand behind you to get your record cleared. Whatever you need, we’re here for you.” He reached out and squeezed my shoulder. “Stop letting your past get in the way, Reid. Grab life and live it.”
I gaped at him, only able to nod in reply. Bentley rarely got personal. Aiden and Maddox were the ones I spoke to the most.
He straightened up and tugged on his sleeves. “Okay. I’ll leave you to figure it out. Bill has already started the paperwork. You need a picture and two guarantors. Any of us will sign for you.”
He strode from my office, leaving me with Maddox and Aiden.
I met Maddox’s gaze. “Thank you.”
He rose from the chair. “Bentley was right. We’re family. You helped me, and I’m returning the favor. That’s how we work here at BAM. We have one another’s backs.”
I extended my hand. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
He shook my hand, hard and fast, and winked. “Yeah, I think I do.” He left with a wave.
“You okay, kid?” Aiden asked.
“Yeah.”
He stood. “The day I hired you, I told you not to let me down.”
“I remember.” I looked at him, incredulous. “I didn’t expect any of this.”
“You’ve earned your place here, Reid. You’ve held true to your word and made me proud. You made all of us proud.” He indicated the drawer. “That is our thanks for a job well done, and the rest is because, as Bentley said, we’re family.”
His smack on the back was much harder than Bentley’s was.
But I was grinning as he left my office.
* * *
After lunch, I stopped by Sandy’s desk. She finished typing on her keyboard and looked up with a smile.
“Reid.”
“Sandy.” I winked.
“Coming to schedule your days off?”
I shook my head, laughing. “I don’t need time off.”
“Yes, you do. Aiden is insisting on it. You have so much overtime, it is frightening.”
“Overtime?”
She sighed, pulling up a file on her screen. “Aiden figures we owe you about a month in extra time. Last week alone you worked the equivalent of two weeks. Add in the weekend, and it’s even more.”
“Can I see that?” I indicated her laptop.
She handed it to me, and I scanned the file. Aiden had been keeping better track of my hours than I thought. With a couple of taps, I erased everything and handed it back. She glared at me.
“Put that back, young man.”
I shook my head. “No one asked me to work all those other hours, Sandy. I did it because I love my job. I am not taking time off for it.” I chuckled. “I’d only come in here anyway, so why bother?”
She huffed in frustration. “I told Aiden you would say that. They want you to take some time off and enjoy yourself.”
“I enjoy work.”
“Maybe you could spend some extra time with Becca?” she asked with a wink. “Bentley is giving her a few days off as well.”
I frowned and shrugged.
She pursed her lips. Standing, she came around to the front of the desk. “What is going on, Reid?”
Before I could answer, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen with a frown and held up her finger. “Excuse me. I need to take this call.”
She lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
Her face turned ghostly white, and tears sprang to her eyes as she listened to a voice on the other end. She made a choking sound, and her trembling hand reached out, gripping my arm.
“No,” she whispered. “God, no!”
Her phone hit the floor, and she buried her face in her hands, falling hard into my chest as her legs gave out. Panicking, I shouted her name, trying to hold her upright.
Chaos broke out at my yell. Aiden came running down the hall, his eyes wide when he saw me.
“What the hell?” he shouted, scooping her up. Maddox followed him, Bentley close at his heels. They all gathered around her, concerned.
Maddox grabbed her phone, speaking fast into the mouthpiece, demanding to know who it was on the line. His eyes grew round and he turned his back, lowering his voice. Aiden carried an incoherent Sandy to Bentley’s office.
Maddox followed with a grave face.
“What is it?” Bentley demanded.
“It’s Max. He had a heart attack.”
Sandy’s sobs grew louder.
“He didn’t survive.”
* * *
I tugged on the collar of my shirt, uncomfortable and tense. I had never been to a funeral before, and I found it overwhelming. The flowers, the music, the people, and the sadness.
Jesus, the sadness.
I stood close to Sandy. We all did. Since Max had passed, one of us had been with Sandy all the time. Even when her stepson, Aaron, arrived and Colin was around, we stayed nearby. Colin’s sister, Jennifer, arrived last night and we had shaken hands when I offered my condolences, but I hadn’t spoken to her otherwise.
I didn’t know what to say.
I didn’t know what to say to anyone. I recalled the feeling of sadness when Mrs. Reid was gone, the pain of losing Rodney, and the anger of not being able to grieve his passing with anyone. I felt the loss of Max, saddened by his death, yet in the face of the devastation of his family’s grief, it seemed insignificant. I didn’t want to take away from their pain by expressing mine.
The first time Sandy had brought me to her house, Max was accepting and kind. Our conversations were always spirited and interesting. The affection between them was obvious, and he teased her about her adopting yet another “misfit,” as he called us. The term made me laugh, given he was including Bentley, Aiden, and Maddox in the description. I enjoyed spending time with him. Diagnosed with late-onset MS, Max str
uggled with his failing body, since his mind remained razor-sharp. They’d had their home refitted to accommodate his needs, and I developed some cool voice-activated systems to augment what he already had in place. I knew the disease took its toll on both of them in different ways, but Sandy was devoted to him.
Now, she was lost. It hurt to watch her. Always vibrant and filled with light, she was a pale shadow of herself. The shock of the massive heart attack that struck Max had taken some of her life as well. Colin rarely left her side, and Bentley, Aiden, or Maddox, often all three, stood behind her, carefully monitoring her needs. They were worried over her lack of tears. She hadn’t wept since receiving the call. Not once.
She did all the right things. Shook hands, kissed cheeks, accepted murmured words of condolence, and offered platitudes of thanks. She was dressed in a black suit, her hair swept into its usual chignon, but everything was off. Her suit jacket gaped open, her hair not as perfect as usual. Her expression was empty, her smile forced and sad, her posture defeated and closed off with her grief.
Somehow, that hurt more than Max’s death.
Van appeared beside me, his gigantic frame poured into a suit. Used to seeing him in T-shirts, jeans, or overalls, I had barely recognized him. He had his jacket pulled tight across his shoulders, the sleeves taut around his biceps, and he looked as uncomfortable as I felt in my suit—as if we were pretending to be someone that we were not.
“How you holding up?” he asked, shaking my hand.
“Fine.”
“I see you boys are keeping a close watch on Sandy.”
“Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “Did you know Max?”
“I did,” he stated. “I’ve done a lot of work at Sandy’s place. She is constantly changing things, and Max let her do whatever she wanted. We had some great conversations. He liked to watch me work.” He shook his head. “He worshiped her.”
Vested Interest Box Set Books 4-7 Page 16
