Forever Touched

by Lilly Wilde

  Two men from Aiden’s staff, whom I hadn’t known were in the house, approached the door just as Aiden appeared, striding casually toward the entrance as if this were just another normal day. He remained cool in the midst of everything and everyone it would seem—well, everyone except for me.

  I stepped back as Aiden opened the door wider and faced his father. For a prolonged measure, they eye-balled each other, neither showing the least bit of familiarity. Then one of the men with Connor spoke up.

  “Aiden, may we come in?” the man asked. He was an older gentleman with dark eyes and a receding hairline. Given the informality with Aiden, I imagined he was one of Connor’s long-time employees.

  “I’ve been expecting you,” Aiden replied, and stepped aside.

  Aiden’s personal assistant Brooklyn appeared out of nowhere and requested that Connor and his entourage follow her to Aiden’s office. I fell in line behind them as well, and was surprised to see that Benjamin and two of Aiden’s attorneys were also present. One of the lawyers was that horrible Clayton Trimble who’d accompanied Aiden to Belize. He’d been nearly as unfeeling as Aiden when they surprised me on the beach. I knew he’d been hired to do a job, but I didn’t think I’d ever like that man.

  Once everyone was seated, Aiden coolly walked into the room, sporting the arrogance I’d noticed the first day we’d met. It was that steely control, accompanied by his over-confident disposition, that put me off-guard and that had also drawn me to him. And to this day, it still did. He looked at me with cautious eyes, obviously concerned about my take on this unfriendly gathering, and then motioned for me to have a seat. I hesitated, unsure as to the need for my presence for round one of a fight in which no one would emerge the victor. Finally deciding that my place was at Aiden’s side, I moved further into the office and assumed the seat closest to my husband.

  Connor said nothing. With a nod of his head, one of his attorneys, a tall, slender man with light brown hair, pulled some papers from his briefcase. After passing a document to Aiden, he sat back and glanced at Connor.

  Aiden didn’t bother to look at the papers. He merely passed them to Clayton, who scanned the first page and then the second. Having finished his initial once-over, Clayton passed the papers to Aiden’s other legal counsel and said, “There’s not much of anything you can do about the merger. Your claims are baseless. So unless you have something more compelling to present, this meeting is over.”

  “A merger in its classical sense implies a mutual decision of two companies to become one entity. Something that technically did not occur in this instance,” said one of Connor’s attorneys. It was the woman speaking this time. She reminded me of the librarian in middle school, right down to the horn-rimmed glasses and the red hair that was pulled back in a bun.

  “Technical or not,” Aiden said. “This is an open and shut case. I have official documentation that specifically states I had the right to do exactly as I’ve done. You know this to be true, Father,” he said, meeting Connor’s dark gaze. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. You’d be behind closed doors with one of the many judges whose salaries you supplement.”

  For all that Connor was clearly trying to harness his anger, it still rolled off him like an avalanche. This was the reaction of a man who didn’t have a chance of obtaining the result he sought. Was this merger as solid as Aiden had led me to believe? Seemingly, after one move, it was over. Was there really nothing Connor could do? And if that were the case, what other fallout was headed our way?

  The attorneys took over the meeting, reciting one legal doctrine after another, none of which seemed to sway the other side one bit. Aiden looked bored, swiping over the screen on his phone as though he was just biding his time until he could call the meeting to an end.

  “Have I not given you the best of everything?” Connor asked. “Have I not afforded you more opportunities in a single day than most would never have in a lifetime? What have I ever done to you that would warrant such a betrayal?”

  “Is this a discussion you really want to have here?” Aiden asked, looking up from his phone. “In the presence of those who could do without the sordid details of our familial disputes?”

  For the first time since the meeting commenced, their eyes met, their glares swirling with a vehemence that muted the room. Neither man made a motion … not even a blink. I glanced at the others seated around the angry titans. Both the attorneys and the staff members appeared either too afraid or too shocked to speak, which left me holding the baton.

  Deciding I had less to lose than anyone who relied on either Aiden or Connor for a paycheck, I’d have to be the one to bite the bullet. I returned my attention to Connor and Aiden. Their silent glares persisted, seared with a heat that could have easily melted the largest of glaciers.

  “Connor. Aiden. Maybe we should go to my office,” I suggested, knowing it would be impossible for them to resolve their differences in a room full of attorneys. After a brief pause, the two sullen men stood and followed me out of the room.

  Crossing the threshold of my office, Connor asked, “What makes you think I won’t use all of my resources to crush you and this plan of yours?”

  Aiden pulled an envelope from his pocket and passed it to Connor. “Because unlike you, I don’t have skeletons in my closet that will crush a hell of a lot more than me or my plan,” Aiden said. “That—and the fact that there’s nothing you can do. We both know that.”

  Connor looked up from the contents of the envelope. “Why are you doing this?” Connor demanded. “To teach me a lesson?”

  “The time for you to learn lessons is long gone,” Aiden said.

  “Then why? As payback for what I didn’t do?”

  “Vengeance must always be profound and absolute. Isn’t that what you taught me?” Aiden asked, looking straight ahead, his temples pulsing. “I’m going to give you some advice that I’m sure you won’t accept. Let this go. Enjoy the history of your success and focus on your wife. Let me do what you’ve urged me to do for most of my life.”

  “What about your wife? Your son? Your family?” I asked Aiden. “If you two can’t resolve this amicably, we’ll all suffer.”

  “Aria, please stay out of this,” Aiden said.

  “I told you I would stand beside you, and I will, but not as some quiet bystander. If I can do something to make this go over a little easier, I intend to do just that. You two need to stop with the who can thump their chest the loudest routine and pull together for the sake of the family—and the company—you both clearly care about.” I turned to Aiden. “I highly doubt Connor will go quietly into the night, which means litigation, bad press, and declines in revenue.”

  “Not if this company means as much to my father as he’s claimed all of my life,” Aiden said.

  “If I was willing to let the company go if the terms of Lyric’s inheritance weren’t upheld, what makes you think I won’t do the same now?” Connor asked.

  “Because of the ending. The way you’d devised your plan, R.I. would have gone out in a blaze of glory. But in this case, if you drag this to court, it will taint the reputation that you wanted to uphold. Revenues will plummet. Divisions will become vulnerable. Loyalties will disappear. Your ego won’t allow that.”

  “This is ridiculous,” I said. “It’s not too late to put the brakes on this. Or at the very least, why not compromise? Connor, I have to go with Aiden on this. You don’t exercise the best business practices, not that Aiden is too far behind, but the fact that you want Aiden to run this company says a lot. Let him do it. As Aiden said, sit back and enjoy your success. Make Sienna the happy wife she deserves to be. And Aiden, don’t take the company public. You don’t have to do that to show Connor you’ve won. Because as I see it, you both will lose if you don’t both let go of the egos and do what’s best for all of us.”

  To my surprise, they didn’t fire off rebuttals, but neither of them acknowledged my plea either. Suddenly my phone rang, breaking the hush that had fallen ove
r the room. Removing it from my pocket, I glanced at the display, prepared to hit the silence prompt, but upon seeing it was someone who could possibly help, I decided to answer.

  “It’s Sienna,” I said, as I swiped the screen. Both stubborn men looked at me and then returned their glares to each other.

  “Hello,” I said, answering the call.

  “Aria. Thank heavens.” She sounded winded. “I’ve been trying to reach Connor and Aiden, but neither of them are picking up. I’m sure you’re aware of what’s happened.”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “Is there anything you can do to help?” she asked. “To talk Aiden down?”

  “I don’t think that’s going to happen. I’ve tried.”

  “I can’t take this anymore,” she said. “This feud between the two of them.”

  “I know. I’ve only been around it for a short time and I’ve already had my fill. I really don’t understand how you’ve put up with it for all of these years. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “They’re both here,” I said.

  “Are they?” she asked, a hopeful tone in her voice. “Can you place the phone on speaker please?”

  “Sure. Give me a second.”

  “Aiden, Connor. Can you hear me?” she asked.

  “Yes, Mother.”

  “This isn’t a good time, Sienna,” Connor said.

  “Connor, when is it ever a good time? I’ve stood by you for years, supporting you, even when I knew it wasn’t right, but I can’t do it anymore. This has to stop.”

  “Surely you don’t expect me to step back and let Aiden get away with this,” Connor said.

  “Get away with what?” she asked. “It’s what you’ve wanted. It’s what you driven into his head for as long as I can remember!”

  “If this is what you called for, you’ve wasted your time,” Connor said. “Are you done?”

  “No. I’m not. You don’t seem to care about anything but that company. You say it’s all for family, but there’ve been numerous times I’ve questioned that. And now is one of those times.”

  “Sienna, we can discuss this when I’m home,” Connor said.

  “Prove to me that it’s all for the family.”

  “How do you suggest I do that?” Connor asked.

  “I’ve enjoyed the closeness we’ve shared since our grandchild has come into our lives, and I know you have as well,” she said. “I want that life. Not the one we’ve had for so long. Don’t let this destroy our family. You know Aiden will do right by the company. It’s time to let him and the kids run the show. They won’t detract from your success. You made Raine Industries into what it is today. Everyone knows that.”

  “You’re asking me to step away from something that belongs to me.”

  “I’m asking you to do what you’ve said you’ve always wanted. To let your children carry on your legacy.”

  “A legacy they don’t appreciate. A legacy they want to change. I made Raine Industries into what it is, and my unappreciative kids want to make it into something I won’t even recognize. I won’t let that happen.”

  “Just what do you think you’re going to do about it, Dad? There’s nothing you can do,” Aiden said. “There’re no loop holes, no cracks. Everything I’ve done is completely legal. I made sure of that.”

  And then it was like Sienna wasn’t on the phone and I wasn’t in the room. Connor lashed out at Aiden, tossing out insults and threats, one after another, without pause. And Aiden met him blow for blow, with clipped words and a tone as harsh, if not more so, than his father’s. It was like watching two angry lions go at it in opposition for the lioness.

  “Stop it! Both of you stop it right now!” Sienna shouted.

  A hush fell across the room.

  “This is breaking my heart,” she said between her quiet sobs. “Connor, I can’t take this anymore. I won’t. This battle between you and your children needs to stop. It has to. Do you want to end up in the hospital again, or possibly worse? I will not sit by and watch you dig yourself into an early grave.”

  “I’m the picture of health. Certainly, healthy enough to take back what’s mine.”

  “Don’t be a stubborn fool,” she said. “And Aiden, I’m so disappointed in you. How could you do this to your father? To me?”

  Sienna’s expression of disappointment did nothing to soften Aiden’s appearance. The scowl appeared affixed to his face.

  “Connor, you have the power to stop this,” Sienna said. “Please do it. Let this go.”

  “Sienna, you need to stay out of this.”

  “That’s part of the problem. I’ve stayed out of things for far too long. I won’t do that anymore. Either you step away from this or else.”

  “Or else what, Sienna? What are you going to do? Leave me?” he huffed.

  She was silent and then there was a sniff as she muffled her sobs.

  “That’s precisely what I plan to do. Your refusal to back down on this leaves me no choice—I won’t be here when you get home.”

  Chapter Five

  The call disconnected. Still holding the phone in my hand, I stared at the screen as it faded to black. I was shocked that Sienna had made such a firm stance, and angry that she felt she had no choice. I glanced up at the two men who’d caused it all.

  “This is all your doing, Aria,” Connor accused.

  “Excuse me?” I asked. “How the hell is this my fault?”

  “Placing all of those foolish notions into my wife’s head,” Connor said.

  “You should choose your next words very carefully, Dad,” Aiden warned. “You will not come into my home and disrespect my wife.”

  “Stop. Please, both of you! Can’t you see what you’ve done already? You’ve let your rage drive you. You’re two of the most successful and intelligent business men in the world … but you’re both very stupid,” I said. And before either of them could reply, I walked out, leaving the two vengeful men alone in my office. They could do as they pleased—I wasn’t about to hang around and watch.

  *****

  Four days had passed since the Raine Industries announcement. The transfer of ownership was still trending on social media and it was still making the headlines of nearly every major news outlet. The stories were enmeshed with half-truths, suggestions of corporate espionage, and countless suppositions that encouraged even more press to assemble outside the gates of our home. Even at RPH, determined reporters were camping out, desperate to obtain the next front-page story. I’d thought the attention to my engagement and wedding had been bad, but that was nothing compared to the latest chapter of Raine family drama.

  I had the unfortunate opportunity to witness the paparazzi at their finest, and it was a hot mess. They were stumbling over themselves to get an exclusive from anyone associated with R.I. The RPH security team escorted one disguised reporter after another from within the confines of Raine Publishing House, but they didn’t go far. They’d literally camped outside the building.

  The phones were ringing off the hooks, email was flooded with claims of this and that. It went on and on, and the stress of it all had started to get the better of me. I would continue to support Aiden—that went without saying—but I didn’t want to deal with the backlash of his merger along with the other demands on my time. Aiden understood, and went as far as suggesting we take an impromptu family vacation after his upcoming press conference. I had so much on my plate at work that the timing of it all couldn’t have been worse, but with everything happening around me, I was barely able to get anything done anyway. A vacation was the only relief I saw in the horizon.

  Later in the morning, Aiden was scheduled to appear before the press to quiet the rumor mills and set the record straight. I pressed a button on the console of my desk and the portrait on the wall moved to the right to reveal a large television monitor. The channel was already set to CNBC with a message scrolling across the bottom of the display, alerting viewers that a press conference w
ould be interrupting regularly scheduled programming. Moments later, the podium in the lobby of Heart of Wyatt was on the screen.

  Benjamin was standing before the press, requesting they be quiet and once the room fell silent, he introduced Aiden. And there he was—my husband and boss stepping to the podium as cameras flashed in his insanely gorgeous face. He was unaffected by it all. As if he’d been born to be a captain of industry. To be the center of attention.

  Aiden provided pertinent details of the merger and his ten-point plan to revitalize Raine Industries—it was roughly a ten-minute discourse. Once he’d completed his outline, he allowed a few questions, and then he thanked the press and stepped away, slipping behind the main office doors of Heart of Wyatt. Reporters hurled several questions in the air, but Aiden didn’t acknowledge any of them. Benjamin thanked everyone for their attendance and that was it.

  Not even five minutes later, Andrea announced a call from Aiden. Puzzled as to why he didn’t just call my cell, I quickly grabbed the receiver.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “We need to head to Chicago as soon as Carl files a flight plan,” Aiden said. “I’m sending a car to get you.”

  Alarmed by the tone of his voice, I asked, “What’s going on?”

  “It’s Mother. No one has seen or heard from her since she last called you.”

  “So she really left Connor?” I asked in disbelief.

  “It appears so. She was gone when Dad arrived home. No indication as to where she was going and when or if she was coming back.”

  “Have you tried calling her?” I asked.

  “Yes, of course,” he said, irritation plaguing his tone. “Several times now, and she won’t answer.”

  “Not even for you?” That was unheard of. That woman clung to any second of time Aiden would give her, so if she wasn’t replying to him, this warranted more than just a trip to Chicago.

  “Actually, I don’t think her phone is on. I had my team run a trace, but they came up empty,” Aiden said.