“I’ll stand.”
Julian drops the documents on the coffee table and glares at me. “Sit, Falcon.”
“I’m not one of your employees you can order around,” I remind him. “Why are we meeting here?”
Julian leans back against the sofa and rests his arm on the back of it. “Funny you should ask that. After the bomb you dropped, our family home turned into a battlefield.”
Yeah, I can only imagine.
“I called you here because I have a question for you.” He picks up the tumbler with whiskey from the side table and takes a sip.
“Ask.”
“You’re not marrying Serena Weinstock?”
That’s the last question I expected from him.
Scowling, I walk to the other sofa and sit down. “No, I’m not.”
“Are you serious about this girl,” he pauses and gestures toward a newspaper lying next to him of the sofa, “Layla Shepard?”
My eyes focus on his, and I try to figure out where this is heading.
“I am.”
Slowly, he nods then take another sip of his drink.
“I’m willing to make you a deal,” he finally gets to the point. “I’ll marry Serena.”
Shock vibrates through me, and for a moment, I can only stare at my brother. “Why would you do that?”
“Unlike you, I am prepared to conclude the business deal between our family and the Weinstocks.”
“I’d congratulate you, but you’ll know I'm not sincere. Before committing to Serena, I feel you should know she’s unstable.” I might not get along with Julian, but I don’t want my brother marrying a potentially insane person.
“Oh?” His eyes show interest for the first time. “That might make things easier for me,” he muses.
“In what way?”
“I can marry her then have her committed. That way it’s a win-win.”
“Damn,” I shake my head, letting out a burst of cynical laughter, “that’s cold, even for you.”
Julian tilts his head and jeers, “Aren’t you lucky to have me for a brother?”
“That all depends on what your gracious sacrifice will cost me.” I lean back, already knowing what he wants.
The corner of Julian’s mouth lifts. “You know what I want.”
I clear my throat and grin back at him. “Why would I give you my shares, Julian? I wasn’t going to marry Serena in the first place.”
“There are two contracts on the table.” He gestures to them. “The first is where I buy your ten percent.” When I open my mouth to tell him it will never happen, he holds up a hand. “The other contract is where you sign a promise that you’ll never compete for the chairmanship, and you relinquish all rights to the Woodrow Wilson banknote. Sign either one and not only will I marry Serena, but I’ll back your relationship with this Layla girl.”
My eyes sharpen on his, and it makes him smile triumphantly.
I keep staring at Julian, and maybe it’s because of the time I spent with Layla, but instead of feeling bitter, sadness creeps into my heart.
What would Layla do right now?
“She’d look for the reason behind your behavior,” I murmur confusing the hell out of Julian.
“What?” he asks.
I sit forward and rest my elbows on my thighs.
Letting out a burst of silent laughter, I smile down at my hands as I link them.
“You’re acting strange,” he says as he sets down his glass. “Did you drink before coming over?”
I shake my head and reply, “I’ve just learned to look at things from a different point of view.”
“What does that mean?”
Layla would be brutally honest.
Bringing my eyes back to his, I ask the only thing I’ve ever wanted to know, “Julian, why do you hate me so much?”
His mouth lifts in a smirk. “I don’t hate you, Falcon. You’re just competition.”
Getting up I walk to the windows and look out over the night lights.
“I never wanted any of this,” I murmur. I close my eyes as years of bitterness and heartache comes to the surface. “I never wanted to be your competition.”
“Bull,” he laughs.
‘Instead of me being your weakness, let me be your strength.’
Remembering Layla’s words make my eyes burn. I close them, and as I turn around to face Julian, I don’t hide my feelings.
There’s no mask.
Just me.
The disappointment. The longing. The hurt.
Julian looks at me, and the smirk fades from his face.
“I never wanted to work in the company,” I say, my voice low and hoarse. “I have different plans for my future, and it doesn’t include CRC.”
Julian rises to his feet, his eyes never leaving mine.
“What are your plans?”
A burst of air explodes over my lips, and I struggle to hold back the tears.
“None of you have ever asked me that question.” Through the emotion, I smile. “I want to start my own business.”
“You do? What kind of business?” Interest flickers over Julian’s face.
Always the businessman.
“Buying patent rights.” I take a deep breath, then share one of my dreams with my brother, “I want to help create the future. I want to help bring dreams to life.”
“Really? That’s actually a good idea. Do you have any prospected investors in mind?”
“Not yet. Why? Are you interested?” I let out a chuckle when he smiles.
“I’ll invest anything you want if it means I get CRC.”
I close my eyes as the blow hits.
Always CRC.
Opening my eyes, I walk to the coffee table and pick up the contracts. I shouldn’t feel upset when I read through both, but it hurts more than I thought it would.
I look up from the papers and lock eyes with Julian. “All I wanted was a big brother. Just once I wanted to hear you tell me I meant more to you than shares.” Taking a pen from my pocket, I crouch down by the coffee table and begin to initial the pages of the contract where I renounce my rights to both the chairmanship and the banknote. When I get to the last page, I pause.
“Can you lie to me?”
“About,” he whispers, which makes me look up at him.
When I see the emotion on Julian's face, I have to force the words out, “Can you tell me you love me, and that you’re proud of me?”
He clenches his jaw and glances to the windows.
He can’t even lie to me.
I try to suppress the sob and quickly scribble my signature on the dotted line then get up and leave the suite.
I jog down the hallway and slam the button for the elevator as I struggle to hold back the tears. Tipping my head, I watch the numbers blur, and the first tear falls as the doors slide open. I step inside, and when I press the button for the ground floor, I see Julian come out of the suite.
“Falcon, wait!”
I watch him run towards me as the doors begin to slide closed, not stopping them.
I’m so tired, Julian.
I can’t fight you anymore.
The doors close right before Julian reaches the elevator.
“Goodbye, Julian,” I whisper.
Instead of the elevator starting its descent, the doors slide open again, and Julian rushes inside. His body slams into mine, and his arms wrap around me.
His breaths are coming fast as he tightens his grip on me. “I’m sorry.” I close my eyes and press my mouth to his shoulder as a cry rips through me. “I’m so sorry,” he whispers again.
I stand in my brother’s arms and cry for everything I’ve lost, everything I never had, and everything I will never have.
“I love you, Falcon.”
My heart aches from hearing the words. It’s a physical pain, but healing at the same time.
I wrap my arms around him and grab hold of his jacket.
“I’m so proud of you, Falcon.”
When the doors be
gin to close again, Julian stops it. With an arm around my shoulders, he pulls me out of the elevator.
We walk back to the suite, and after he shuts the door behind us, he asks, “Why did you sign the contract?”
Using my palms, I wipe my face. “CRC can’t be a part of my life if I want to keep Layla.”
“Do you care so much about her?”
I nod, and meeting his eyes, I say the words out loud for the first time, “I love her. I love every single thing about her. She’s…” I smile because there’s only one word to describe her. “She’s color.”
“If she means that much to you, I’ll support you.”
“Do you really mean that?”
His mouth curves into a warm smile, the same one he used to have when we were kids. “I really mean it.”
He walks over to the side table and pours two tumblers of whiskey. “Have a drink with me.”
Stepping closer, I take the glass from him, and he holds his up, toasting, “To surviving the curse of being a Reyes.”
“That’s one way of putting it,” I agree.
“Let’s sit.” He walks over to the sofa, and as I take the seat across from him, he asks, “So how much do you need to start the business? Have you drawn up plans?”
I let out a burst of laughter.
Always the businessman.
Chapter 21
Layla
Worried about Falcon, I go sit outside our building on the pavement and stare up the road. For the hundredth time, I think about calling him, but not wanting to interrupt something important, I hold myself back.
Lights come up the road and hoping it’s Falcon, I get up. My hope fizzles away when a black Rolls Royce pulls up in front of the dorm.
I step back to the entrance, and watch as the driver gets out and walking around the car, he opens the back door.
When he looks at me and gestures inside the car, I frown.
“Mr. Reyes would like a word with you.”
“Me?” I point to my chest as shock ripples through me.
How did he even know I was sitting out here?
Are they watching us now?
Cautiously I step closer and peek into the car.
Mr. Reyes is busy reading a newspaper, as he says, “Spare me a minute, Miss Shepard.”
“Yes, Sir,” I say, and slide into the back.
The driver closes the door, and I feel a twinge of panic.
He won’t hurt me. Right?
Folding the newspaper, he turns his head to me. “Let me have a look at you.”
I sit frozen, not sure what I should do.
Meeting his eyes, my lips twitch when I see where Falcon got his intimidating look from. Falcon takes after his father.
“You don’t look like Stephanie,” he comments.
“I take after my father, Sir.”
He nods, then states, “You and my son have caused quite the stir.”
I keep quiet, just like I did with Mrs. Reyes.
“Leave my son, and I’ll transfer an amount of your choice to your bank account.”
I tilt my head, and not breaking eye contact, I stare at Mr. Reyes. There’s no malicious expression on his face, not like with Mrs. Reyes.
He’s testing me.
“No, thank you, Sir. I don’t need money.”
“That’s a first. Is there a single soul on this planet who doesn’t need money?”
“There is,” A smile stretches over my face. “My dad.”
“He’s a traveler, right?”
I nod.
“How does he manage to travel without money?”
“You’re right.” His eyes sharpen on me. “Let me rephrase myself. I don’t need your money. I have two wonderful parents who provide for all my needs.”
The corner of his mouth twitches, and it helps ease the knot in my stomach.
“What are your plans for the future?”
Thinking carefully, I answer, “I’m going to travel with my dad.”
“Sentimental but not very ambitious,” he comments.
A soft smile forms around my lips. “Have you heard the saying; Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?”
“Yes.” He turns more in his seat, showing interest.
“I believe the same principle applies to ambition. What you consider ambitious will not be the same for me.” When he nods, I continue, “You’ve spent your life creating this…” I gesture to outside, “and it’s nothing short of an empire. It brought you happiness to see it grow.”
“Right,” he agrees.
“My happiness lies in experiences. I want to stand in the place God created in anger, and experience the vastness of it. I want to stand where the Berlin wall once stood, and experience how much the world has changed.”
Mr. Reyes features soften slightly, and I take it as a good sign.
“I care for Falcon. In the past few weeks, I’ve learned a lot about him. I truly believe we have a great deal in common. I would appreciate your approval, but it’s not vital to the success of my and Falcon’s relationship.”
“I respect your opinions and outlook on life, Miss Shepard,” he says while reaching for the newspaper. Opening it, he asks, “I’m right to say you will not be accepting any funds from me?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And you will not give up on dating my son?”
“Yes, Sir?”
“Then it’s settled. I don’t see any reason the two of you cannot date.”
“Yes… wait? What?” My eyes widen in surprise, and I’m not sure I heard him right.
“You may date my son, Miss Shepard,” he repeats, then glancing at me, the corner of his mouth lifts. “Like Stephanie said, you’re both adults.”
“Thank you, Mr. Reyes.” I suppress the urge to hug him.
“Have a good evening, Miss Shepard.”
“You too, Sir.”
I open the door and get out. “Drive safely,” I call before closing the door.
The driver nods at me, then gets back in the car. As they start to pull away, Falcon comes speeding down the road.
I pull a face and close one eye when it looks like he’s not going to stop in time. My heart begins to pound with worry. “Shit, Falcon! Stop!”
When he hits the brakes, clouds of smoke come from the screeching tires.
The Rolls Royce stops, but I couldn’t care less. I rush to where Falcon is getting out of the damn deathtrap, and bringing both my hands up, I shove at his chest. “What the hell? Have you lost your mind? Who drives like that? Give me the keys?” I hold my hand out to him, palm up.
Falcon places the keys in my hand, then looks over my shoulder. “What’s my father doing here?”
“Don’t try to change the subject!” I scold him. “You could’ve caused an accident.”
“Falcon,” I hear Mr. Reyes’ voice behind me and turning around I almost freaking curtsy.
This is really turning out to be a weird night.
“Sir,” Falcon greets his father. “Why are you here?”
“I felt like a drive down memory lane.” Mr. Reyes looks at the keys in my hand. “You’ll be holding onto those, Miss Shepard?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. Make him suffer to get them back.”
“I’ll definitely do that.” I shoot a glare at Falcon before walking to Mr. Reyes side. “Let me walk you back to the car.”
“You don’t look like your mother, but you sound like her,” he comments as we walk the short distance.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I tease.
“You better. Your mother is one hell of a woman.”
Emotion totally overwhelms me and not thinking clearly, I throw my arms around Mr. Reyes neck and hug him.
“Thank you for being so good to my mom,” I whisper.
He pats me twice on the back. “I should thank you for all the times I’ve stolen her from you.”
Pulling back, I smile. “It’s okay. I get to spend more time with Falcon, so I’m j
ust stealing it back.”
This time a smile forms around his mouth. “You do that.”
He gets in the car, and I wave when they drive off.
“What just happened?” Falcon asks behind me.
Swinging around, I scowl at him. “You just lost your driving privileges, that’s what happened.”
“I’m serious, Layla.”
“So am I.” Pointing at my face, I ask, “Does it look like I’m joking?”
“No,” he says, finally realizing I’m upset with him. “I’m sorry for speeding.”
“And you won’t do it again,” I say.
“I won’t do it again.”
He tries to look apologetic and innocent, which draws a grin from me. “Not the same as Lake’s. The hot, sexy look works better for you.”
He smirks at me. “Oh yeah? Like this?”
I begin to walk toward my room. “Wait, tell me what happened with my father.”
“We talked. We agreed. We hugged.”
“You’re scaring me,” Falcon whispers.
I turn back around because the last thing I want to do is cause Falcon more worry, but then I see the mock look of fear on his face.
“You sound like my father now.”
“Are you looking to get on my bad side, Falcon?” I ask, putting my hands on my hips.
“No,” He closes the distance between us and leans down. “But I am looking to get inside you.”
“And here I thought you were a romantic,” I mumble.
“I’ve now fucking seen it all,” Mason says, sounding stunned.
“Right?” Lake asks.
Glancing over my shoulder, the two are sitting on the floor by the window.
“Why are you sitting there?” I ask.
“We saw the Rolls pull up, then figured we’d hang around,” Lake answer.
Mason looks at Lake. “Have you ever seen Mr. Reyes hug someone?”
“He didn’t exactly hug her back. It was more like an awkward pat.”
“You’re right,” Mason agrees.
“Want me to confiscate your car keys as well?” I growl at them.
Mason is first on his feet and walking toward the exit. “Nope. I’m good.”
Lake gets up and yawns as he stretches. “You love me too much to take my keys.”
“Lake,” Falcon snaps.
“Falcon,” Lake grins, wagging his eyebrows.
We watch him jog after Mason, then Falcon wraps an arm around my middle and pulls me closer. There’s a serious look on his face as he pushes me backward toward my door.
Falcon (Trinity Academy Book 1) Page 15
