All Mine

by Lisa Renee Jones

  “These agreements are absent of stated charges, therefore you don’t have to tell me what they are,” Marcus says. “Your father won’t know that, though. He will, however, know that you have an agreement with me and you can tell him that you somehow convinced me to hold off on charges. That story is yours to tell. If you ever get ready to actually move forward, I’ll be happy to get the press and promotion that will follow, but rest assured, I owe Royce my life quite literally. I won’t move unless you tell me to move.”

  Royce looks between me and Gabe. “You can trust him.”

  I believe them both and after Carrie, who sits between us, inches backward to allow us to do so, Gabe and I share a look and open our folders to scan the documents. Carrie leans over in my direction and reads with me, and then she and I share a look of approval over the legal wording. Gabe leans forward and looks at me, giving me a nod, and in silent agreement, we both sign three copies of the documents: one for Marcus and two for us, one of which will go to our father today at the meeting, if he should choose to show up. My gut says that he will, but I’m keeping that to myself. Carrie is nervous enough. I don’t need to add to her worry.

  A few minutes later, Marcus departs and we thank Royce with our checkbooks and genuine gratitude. Once Royce departs, Gabe eyes Carrie. “Have you told your father you’re merging the companies?”

  “I’m not giving him a chance to screw this up,” she says, “though I don’t think he will be a problem before or after. I think he’s ready to move on. I sensed it when I spoke to him in Japan but again, I’m just not taking any chances.” She looks at me. “Your father is going to show up. I just know it.”

  “Probably,” Gabe says. “He’s that kind of an asshole. You know the kind that just keeps getting bigger and bigger which takes all the fun out of things.”

  Carrie frowns. “Was that a bad dirty joke?”

  Gabe frowns back at her. “Was it?”

  “Yes,” I state. “It was.” I glance at Carrie. “Ignore him. He’s the asshole.”

  Gabe’s phone rings and he pulls it from his pocket. “Norma Jean,” he says. “Yes, I do believe I’ll take your call.” He winks at us. “She likes me. I’ll meet you two outside. I need to set up a romantic encounter.”

  Carrie snorts and I turn her to face me, tuning out Gabe. “We’re ready if my father shows up. We’re ready, baby.” I stand up and help her to her feet, the emerald green blouse that she’s paired with a black skirt reminding me of the night I met her. We were starting a new phase of our life then, and I have that same sense of doing so now. “Let’s go end the war of families once and for all.”

  “Then we get married before they find a way to stop us,” Carrie says.

  “No one is going to stop me from marrying you, Carrie West, soon to be Maxwell. They can try but they won’t win.”

  “I’m just tired of waiting for the next attack. I want to be married and happy.”

  “We are happy.”

  “Secure. I want to feel secure. Right now, I feel like someone is going to pull the rug out from where we stand.”

  “Baby, I get all your abandonment issues, but I’m not leaving. No one is going to convince me we can’t be together. Tried and failed, remember?” My hands settle on her arms. “We are one now. I live because you live. That’s how it is now. That’s what can’t be changed.”

  “For a real asshole, you say all the right things.”

  I arch a brow. “You still think I’m an asshole?”

  “Yes, but you’re a pretty perfect asshole.” She pushes to her toes and kisses me. “Let’s get this over with. Then maybe I can just relax into the wedding.”

  “And our life. Relax into our life and me.”

  “Into our life and you,” she says. “Yes. I like that.”

  ***

  A short time later, the three of us arrive at the building that houses the Maxwell offices where the board meeting will take place. We step onto the elevator and Carrie looks between me and Gabe. “You look like twins in blue suits. It’s pretty incredible to see you both together and dressed so similar. You really look a lot alike.”

  “Except that I’m the younger, better looking one, right?” Gabe says. “And the nice one.”

  “You mean you hide behind jokes the way he hides behind being an asshole,” Carrie amends for him. “You don’t fool me, but I won’t tell.”

  Gabe narrows his eyes on her. “You think I hide behind jokes?”

  “I know you do,” she says. “I just hope that one day, you trust someone enough to let down that wall of yours.”

  He studies her a moment and then his gaze lifts to mine, his expression guarded, but there’s something there I haven’t seen before but I understand it. Gabe doesn’t want to be seen. I knew that of course, but this moment is confirmation. Not for the first time, I wonder what’s there beneath his surface that he wants to hide. I wonder if, in my need to protect myself, I failed to see my brother, to be there for him. I wonder what made him bleed, the way I bled emotionally, because something did.

  The elevator dings and Carrie turns to face me. “Your father is going to be here.”

  “If he is, we’ll handle it.” I turn her to face forward. “Welcome to the office that will soon be half yours.” I walk her forward and Connie greets us.

  “Well, well, there he is,” she says to me. “And here she is. Carrie, Carrie, Carrie. I knew, I just knew you were the one.” She pulls Carrie into a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”

  Carrie laughs. “Obviously, you know we’re engaged.”

  “I do,” she says, pulling back to add. “Keep him busy and maybe I can find time for a date.” She sobers quickly and looks at me. “They’re all in the conference room and I have a stockholder meeting for the firm set for five.”

  “And my father?” Gabe asks.

  “Nowhere near so far,” she says. “I have security on alert as you suggested this morning.”

  I nod and motion Carrie and Gabe forward.

  A few minutes later, we’re in a boardroom filled with a dozen other people and a live phone line for stockholders. Our fathers don’t qualify, but I’m certain both have found a way to listen in. I begin the presentation and two hours later, Gabe and Carrie have each given pitches. We break for lunch and compare notes before we return and the questions begin. Another two hours later, the vote takes place. Maxwell and West officially merge. It’s done.

  ***

  Carrie

  Not long after the meeting ends, riding a high from our success, I’m in Reid’s office with him and Gabe, with Reid popping a bottle of ridiculously expensive champagne. We’ve just toasted to our new merger when my phone rings. I set my champagne down. “That will be my father,” I say tightly. “I’d bet money on it.” I grab my purse from my desk and open it, removing my phone to confirm and then give Reid and Gabe a small nod. “Hello, father,” I say, as Reid sets down his champagne and pulls me into his arms, leaning on the desk as he does.

  “Did he take your company or did you take his?” he asks, giving a chuckle.

  “Both. It’s a merger, a partnership.” I rotate in Reid’s arms and look at him, repeating his earlier words. “We’re one now.”

  “I’ll never be one with that bastard, but I’m out. I’m not a part of the company anymore and Stella and I have talked a lot over the past two weeks. I need to let go. I need to let you be happy, but he better make you happy.”

  “He will, dad. He does.”

  “Then be successful, but watch his father.”

  “Reid has a leash on him. Don’t call him. Don’t agitate him. If he calls you, tell him you love me. You aren’t fighting anymore. And then it will be over.”

  “I do love you and I will. It will kill me, but I will. Take care, honey.” He hangs up.

  I look up at Reid. “Could you hear?”

  “Yes, baby, I heard.” His hands come down on my face. “And yes. We are one.”

  ***

  Reid
>
  Hours later, Gabe and Carrie are with me when we tell our partners who quickly jump on board when they see the numbers. After much conversation, and yes, laughter, it’s time for dinner with Reese and Cat, and it’s a surreal feeling to step onto the elevator again with my brother and my future wife. Monday morning the three of us will be together again to meet with the staff at Carrie’s offices.

  “I can’t believe your father hasn’t shown up,” Carrie says, leaning into me.

  “Just enjoy the silence,” I say. “It won’t last long.”

  “No,” Gabe agrees. “It won’t last long.”

  As if he’s foreseen the near future, the elevator opens to the lobby and the three of us exit to come face to face with my father. “Congratulations, sons,” he says, looking sharply arrogant in a three-piece blue suit. “You made us a lot of money tonight. I wanted to tell you in person.” He looks at Carrie. “I approve.”

  “Because they took over West,” Carrie challenges. “Or did I take over Maxwell?”

  He scowls and Gabe and I both laugh. “We’re all richer, pops,” Gabe says. “Focus on that and this gift we brought you.” He reaches in his pocket and hands my father an envelope. “I sincerely hope you won’t ever make us use that.”

  He stuffs it in his pocket. “I’m sure it’s interesting, my boy. You always make things interesting.”

  “You have no idea,” Gabe says. “But you will. Now. We’re on our way to Cat’s for some nice family time. Goodnight.”

  I take Carrie’s hand, leading her around my father, and Gabe joins us on the other side. The three of us cross the lobby and exit the building. None of us speak, the sense that the ball is about the drop in the air, and it does. “What the fuck is this?” my father demands from behind us.

  We all turn and face him as he comes right up to us. Gabe and I automatically step in front of Carrie, sheltering her. “It’s insurance,” I say. “You will not go after Carrie, her father, or us for that matter.”

  “If you do,” Gabe adds, “that plea agreement, with immunity for us, will be activated, and we have enough dirt on you to ensure you die in prison.”

  Our father doesn’t immediately reply. Seconds tick by and then he snarls, before laughing. “Priceless. You two boys learned well. Good work. You made money and held off your adversary. Finally, I know that you can handle yourselves and my company.” He pats us both on the shoulders. “Have a good dinner.” And then he walks away.

  Gabe and I part to allow Carrie between us. “What just happened?” she asks. “Does he really want us to believe this was all about testing and training his sons?”

  Gabe and I look at each other. “Yes,” we say together again.

  “Because he’s really good at painting himself the winner,” Gabe adds.

  “No retreat, no surrender,” I add, as my father always taught us. “He found a way to do both and look like he won. It’s over.” I look at Gabe and he adds, “Yes. It’s over.”

  “It’s over?” Carrie asks.

  I pull her to me and cup her face. “Yeah, baby. It’s over.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Carrie

  The minute I see Cat, I know she’s pregnant. It’s not so much that her belly is bigger. It’s not, or I can’t tell because she’s wearing a red velvet dress that makes it pretty impossible to tell. It’s her face, and her coloring; it’s a gut feeling. I’m immediately relieved that we came home for Christmas. Reid needs to be here for this. He needs to mend fully with his sister.

  Cat is, as always, warm and wonderful, greeting me with a smile and lots of joy. The five of us: me, Reid, Gabe, Cat and Reese, gather around the Christmas tree in the front room that is oval and surrounded by windows. The massive tree at the end of the room along with the windows is stunning and the collection of random holiday ornaments makes me want to get more creative next year.

  The men all peel away their jackets and everyone but Cat nurses a glass of champagne.

  “So, it’s really over?” Cat asks when the two of us huddle up on an oversized chair that easily fits us both. “The war between our families is no more?”

  “Let’s hope,” I say. “It seems to be.”

  “But what do you think? What do you feel?”

  “It’s over,” I say. “I think it really is though I fear our wedding will stir new trouble. I want to elope.”

  “Is that what you want? Or is that what they’re forcing on you?”

  “I just want to marry the love of my life.”

  She smiles. “I love that he’s the love of your life.” She sobers quickly. “I know there’s something that caused him to pull back from me. He told me there was. I’m not asking what it is, but do you know?”

  “Yes. I do. And it was bad. I don’t know if he can tell you, but I know why it affected him like it did.”

  Her expression tightens and she squeezes my hand. “I’m so glad he told you. That’s enough for me.”

  Reese appears in front of us, looking very tall, dark and good looking as usual with his shirt sleeves rolled up. He offers Cat his hand. “Shall we?”

  She smiles. “Yes. We shall.” He pulls her to her feet and under his arms. “Everyone,” he says. “We have an announcement.”

  Reid joins me and sits down next to me, kissing me before he turns his attention back to Cat and Reese. I love that he has to kiss me just to kiss me. “We,” Cat says, and then looks at Reese. “You say it.”

  He pulls her in front of him and presses his hand to her belly. “We’re pregnant.”

  I clap while Gabe holds up his glass. “To a new baby Maxwell.”

  Reid stands up. “As in a baby?” He runs his hands through his hair. “When? Have you been to the doctor?”

  “Of course I’ve been to the doctor,” Cat says. “We don’t know the sex yet but—”

  “And you’re okay so far?” Reid asks.

  I stand up and take his hand. “She’s perfect, Reid,” I say turning him around to face me. “And she’ll stay perfect. Reese will make sure of it.”

  “Right.” He runs his hand along the back of his neck this time. “You’re happy?” he asks Cat and Reese.

  “Yes,” Cat says. “Very.”

  “Very,” Reese agrees.

  Reid gives a nod and I force him to look at me. “Let’s get some air, yes?”

  He kisses me. “I need to talk to Cat.” He looks at his sister. “You got a minute?”

  “Of course,” she says, and I’m relieved when he crosses and stops in front of Reese. “This isn’t about the baby. I’m happy for you. You’re a relief.”

  Reese arches a brow. “A relief?”

  “I’ll let Cat explain later,” he says, stepping around Reese and closer to his sister. “Where can we talk?”

  “It’s a little cold outside,” she says. “How about the kitchen?”

  He gives a stiff nod and they disappear down a hallway, my heart squeezing as they do. “What the fuck was that?” Gabe asks with both him and Reese staring at me.

  “He’s wanted to make peace with Cat,” I say. “I think the baby just has him realizing that if he doesn’t, he misses out on really being a part of her life, and now her child’s life.”

  Reese’s eyes meet mine. “He’s hurt her. Deeply.”

  “I know that,” she says. “He knows that, but he wants her to forgive him. I hope you can as well.”

  “Well in the meantime, those of us who can drink,” Gabe says, “should drink. Just in case they come back looking like they were in the octagon. We are siblings and siblings know how to fight.”

  And love, I think silently. Reid knows how to love. He just has to show Cat.

  ***

  Reid

  Cat and I enter the kitchen and she hurries to the far side of the island, placing it between us. I allow her that wall because she earned it putting up with me. “This is going to get heavy. You sure you’re up to that?”

  “I’m pregnant, not sick.”

  “Ri
ght. I know that. I’m already fucking up, right?”

  “You’re not,” she says. “I just wish you’d have acted happy for me.”

  “I am happy for you. Really, I am. I just—had this moment of thinking of yet another person I’m going to worry about.”

  “Is that how you feel about Carrie?”

  “I worry about her every second of every day, and there are times that I still think I need to let her go just to protect her. It’s a mental block, but she’s helping me get by it. You have, too, even without knowing what it is that affects me.”

  “Are you going to tell me?”

  “Yes, Cat, I am. When I was in college, I was going to break up with the girl I was dating. She was a fuck buddy to me and I knew she was really into me. It wasn’t fair. I knew that. The very night I was going to tell her—fuck.” I look away, certain she’s going to see nothing but the asshole fucking a woman who loved him.

  Cat rounds the island but I don’t look at her. “She’s dead, isn’t she?”

  I inhale and breathe out, and damn it hurts. “Yes. Cat. She’s dead.”

  “Did she kill herself?”

  “No. The guy who robbed the convenience store we were in fired at me and she flung herself in front of me.”

  She gasps. “Oh God. Oh God. The blame you must feel. The blame must—”

  “Yeah. It sucks. I pushed everyone away. You especially, because damn, Cat, you’re like her. You’re so fucking selfless that if you were with anyone but Reese, I’d probably be breathing down the bastard’s throat. He loves you. I see that.”

  Tears well in her eyes and she flings her arms around me, hugging with all her might and I hug her back, burying my head in her hair. “I love you,” I murmur.

  She pulls back to look at me. “I love you, too, Reid. Don’t you push me or Carrie away again. She’s good for you.”

  “I don’t deserve her. I so fucking don’t deserve her. She’s too good for me but I can’t seem to let her go. I’m just going to have to find a way to deserve her.”

  “Then stop being an asshole,” Carrie teases from the door. “Or not. It’s become endearing.” She crosses the room and suddenly I have my sister, and my future wife both hugging me, and I can feel all those old wounds shrinking. They aren’t gone. Maybe they’ll never be gone, but they’re not winning anymore.