Vested Interest Box Set: Books 1-3

by Melanie Moreland

  Eventually, I stopped, realizing I had walked past our office building and farther into the downtown core. Glancing at my watch, I was surprised to see I had been walking for over an hour. To my left was the Fairmont Hotel, and I decided to go inside and sit at the bar. Maybe a drink would help.

  After tossing back a shot, I accepted another whiskey from the barman, made my way over to a corner table, and sat down facing the window. I nursed my drink, staring blindly at the people walking along the sidewalk, not paying attention to much else. I startled when a voice broke through my thoughts.

  “You look like you need a friend.”

  My head snapped up, and I met the steady gaze of Richard VanRyan.

  “Richard,” I said, confused. “What are you doing here?”

  He indicated the chair opposite me. “May I?”

  “Of course.”

  He sat down, setting his glass on the table. “I know I’m not due in the office until Tuesday, but another client wanted a meeting tomorrow so I flew in early. I came down for a scotch and saw you sitting in the corner.” He studied me as he sipped his drink. “Would you rather be alone?”

  “No.” I waved my hand. “It’s fine.”

  His hazel eyes were shrewd as he pursed his lips. “I’m not sure fine is the right word, Maddox. Pardon my bluntness, but you look like shit.”

  I had to laugh. “No offense taken. I feel like shit.”

  “Want to talk about it?”

  I shut my eyes. “I wish I could, Richard, but with our relationship being what it is, it would be highly inappropriate.”

  He chuckled. “My wife, Katy, would tell you I am the king of being inappropriate.” He reclined in his chair, relaxed. “I realize we’re about to work together, but it’s the weekend. I’m not on the clock, and as far as I’m concerned, we’re two guys having a drink on a Sunday afternoon. Blowing off steam.”

  The offer was tempting. I wanted to talk, and given the decision I had come to, I technically wouldn’t be talking to a business associate. Lifting my glass, I downed the amber liquid.

  “I’m leaving BAM.”

  His eyes widened, and he lifted his glass, swallowing the contents. He stood, taking our glasses, returning a few minutes later with doubles for us both. He set my whiskey down in front of me, took a sip of his fresh scotch, then pulled his chair closer to the table.

  “Talk to me.”

  I scrubbed my face with my hand as I thought about what I could say. “Something has come up from my past. Something I never expected to surface, but it has.” I met his gaze. “The scandal would damage everything Bentley has worked for. The fallout would be enormous. Given the campaign we’re about to embark on, let’s just say, when this comes out, the entire ‘family first, home, you’ve found it,’ thing will blow up in our face.”

  He pondered my words. “Does this past include some criminal activity?”

  “No.”

  “Did you hurt someone or something?”

  “Not in the way you think, no.”

  “So, it’s more…personal?” His voice drifted off as he posed the question.

  “Yes. Personal, and frankly, mortifying.”

  “So, what, you’re going to give up your career, walk away from your friends, and leave your life, because of something you did in your past? Something you’re ashamed of?”

  “It would embarrass the company. Stain the entire project. I’m going to advise Bentley to let me leave, then wait a few months before he begins the campaign to make sure I’ve been out of the picture long enough.”

  “You haven’t spoken to Bentley or Aiden yet?”

  “No. I’ve been giving the entire fucked-up situation a lot of thought.”

  “What about your pretty lady? Dee? What does she think you should do?”

  I lifted my glass, taking a long swallow. “I haven’t told her, either.”

  Richard’s brow furrowed, and he sipped his scotch.

  “You know, often decisions made on your own are the worst ones of all. We can never look at the problem objectively and tend to see only one side.”

  I snorted into my glass. “There is only one side to this mess.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “No one else can make this decision.”

  “Agreed. I know I don’t know you that well, Maddox, and Bentley and Aiden even less. But I see the strength of your friendship. The respect you have for each other. I think they’d want the chance to have their thoughts on your decision heard. In fact, I’m certain they would insist.”

  “I can’t allow Bentley to risk the reputation of his company.”

  “Don’t you think he should have a say in the matter?”

  I sighed, unsure how to respond. “I can’t put him in the position to choose between our friendship and his company.”

  Richard nodded, looking thoughtful. “You’re not in a rush to leave and go home, right?”

  Thinking of how claustrophobic my condo had felt, I was in no hurry to return. “Nope.”

  He stood. “Let’s go to my suite. I have a bottle of scotch, and we’ll have some privacy. I have a story to tell you.”

  Confused, but intrigued, I followed.

  Richard handed me a glass, settling into the chair opposite me in his suite. He pulled his phone from his pocket, scrolling through photos until he stopped at one screen. He smiled at the image, then handed me his phone. I studied the picture of the pretty woman with dark hair and blue eyes. Beside her was a toddler who looked a great deal like her, and she held a baby with eyes I recognized.

  “Your family?” I asked.

  “Yes. My wife Katy, our eldest daughter, Gracie, and our newest, Heather.” His grin was so wide his eyes crinkled. “Or as Gracie calls her—Hedda. Gracie’s lisp slays me every time.”

  I handed him back the phone, noticing the way his finger traced over the picture and his smile appeared again before he slid his phone into his pocket.

  “Before I met my wife, I was an asshole. A total, complete prick—or as many preferred to call me, ‘Dick.’” He raised his eyebrows. “I was egotistical, narcissistic, and frankly, a nasty bastard. Anything I wanted, I took. The place I worked was cutthroat, and I fit in well. I didn’t care what I had to do or who I had to step on to get what I wanted. I didn’t care about anyone or anything. My coworkers, the women I dated, anyone in my life, to be honest. Including my wife, who was my assistant at the time. I was especially cruel to her.” He exhaled hard. “In fact, I was so cruel I manipulated her to get what I wanted. I forced her to marry me to make myself look good.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Katy is astonishing. She draws people in with her warmth. I needed that warmth to make me look like a better person to get what I wanted.”

  “Which was?”

  He smirked, lifting one eyebrow. “My job with Graham.”

  “Holy shit,” I muttered. “You two seem so close.”

  “We are.” He sat back, sipping his scotch. “I’m not going to bore you with all the sordid details, but I changed after I married Katy. No one could be immune to her warmth—not even me. She changed me, and I fell in love with her for real. Luckily, she returned my feelings. But I couldn’t live with the lies I had built. I came clean with Graham and told him the truth. I expected to be fired—thrown out of the company that had helped to change me. But Graham and his wife forgave me and gave me a second chance. After everything I had done. The horrible excuse for a human being I had been, they still believed in me.”

  He shrugged as if to say, “Can you believe that?”

  He crossed his legs, swinging his foot. “So I think I understand what you’re going through. And I think you need to talk to your partners before you make such a drastic, life-altering decision.” He paused. “My scariest moment of truth turned out to be the best decision of my life. I would be lost without my girls. My family is everything to me. Graham and his family are part of that circle. It happened because I was honest and trus
ted someone I cared about enough to be truthful and allow them to help me. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”

  After a moment of silence, he chuckled dryly. “Tighter than a clam, aren’t you?”

  “Pardon me?”

  “I told you my story, Maddox. A handful of people know the truth about Katy and me and what happened. You could blab that to anyone or use it against me not to hire the firm. But I trust you enough to know you won’t. I think you can trust me in return.”

  I huffed and drained my glass, setting it on the table. “I’m really not comfortable.”

  “Don’t go into details if it’s easier. Give me the gist.”

  “A woman—” I blew out a long breath "—from my past has some photos of me, of us, in a compromising position. They especially portray me in a very bad light. She is threatening to release them unless I pay her. Except, given what I know of her, it’s never going to end. She’ll want more. I can’t risk it.”

  “Hmm. I assume these pictures are of a sexual nature?”

  “Yes.”

  He tugged on his hair, tapped his chin, and sipped his scotch.

  “Was the sex consensual?”

  “Yes,” I retorted. “Completely. In fact, it was her idea. I went along with it.” I shook my head. “I never should have agreed, but I was young, naïve, and stupid. I was high, drunk, and I lost control. I trusted her and I shouldn’t have.”

  “What were you doing, Maddox?”

  I heaved a sigh. “I was dominating her. Or trying to. I discovered quickly causing someone pain wasn’t my thing. I had no idea what I was doing and it went…badly.”

  “Were you aware of the camera?”

  “Fuck no.”

  “Have you seen the pictures?”

  “Yes. She gave me a set. She says she has more, plus backups.”

  “What does she want?”

  “A house and five hundred grand, for starters. Those are her words.”

  He tapped his chin, deep in thought. “You think if she releases them, it will make a mockery of the image you’re trying to create for Ridge Towers?”

  “I know it will. How can we push the family aspect when one of the partners is shown brandishing a whip with a tied-up woman? Not exactly the image Bentley was going for. And from the values Graham keeps, he won’t want to be associated with us either. Everyone loses unless I walk away.”

  “But you lose.”

  I lifted one shoulder. “My mistake, so I need to take the responsibility.”

  “I disagree.”

  I had no response.

  A smile quirked the corner of his mouth. “We could appeal to a whole other crowd. Change up the campaign.”

  I tried not to laugh. “It’s not funny.”

  “Not right now. But it will be one day. At least I hope so, for your sake.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs, earnest. “I think there’s another solution. Meet with Aiden and Bentley. Trust them and be honest. Give them the options. I think not only will they be on your side, they’ll help you fight.” He grinned. “You have your resident genius, plus the giant on your side. Don’t discount the power of a very influential boss. I can only imagine what ammunition they will come up with to help. This woman is betting you’ll hand her the money quietly. If you fight back, she might back down. I’m not a lawyer, but she took the pictures without your consent and is now trying to use them to blackmail you. And she was a willing participant. That doesn’t look so good on her either.”

  That gave me pause.

  He grinned. “Let her do her worst. Call her bluff.” He shook my shoulder. “Talk to your friends, Maddox. Let them help. Don’t try to handle it on your own.”

  “What about Graham?”

  “I’ll talk to him if we have to. We’ll keep going forward until…well, until we have to stop. Which I don’t think we will.” He drew in a long breath. “And tell your lady. She deserves the truth. I think she’ll surprise you too.”

  “You’re full of advice, aren’t you?” I chuckled, feeling lighter.

  He sipped his scotch. “Well, Katy would tell you I’m still an asshole and express my opinion far too freely, but that’s beside the point. I like you, Maddox. I think our two companies will work well together for many years, and I hate to think of you not being part of that adventure.”

  I stuck out my hand. “Thanks, Richard.”

  He winked and shook my hand. “Part of the service.” He stood. “Now go and talk to them. I’m going to call my wife.”

  I made my way to the elevator and pulled out my phone, texting Aiden and Bentley.

  Can you come to the office? I need to talk to you. It’s important.

  Their replies were swift.

  On my way.

  Be there soon.

  I pushed the button going down, focusing on Richard’s advice.

  Trust them.

  I hoped my trust wasn’t misplaced.

  Maddox

  Aiden and Bentley arrived together, both looking confused. When they saw my face, their expressions turned to concerned. Immediately, they sat with me at our boardroom table, all in our usual spots. Bentley at the head of the table, Aiden to his right, and me to his left.

  I wondered as I looked across the table if today would be the last time we sat that way.

  In front of me were two envelopes. Bentley’s gaze flicked to them briefly, then he returned his stare to me.

  I spoke. “Before we start, how is Emmy?”

  Bentley sighed. “Grieving. I hated to be the one to tell her what Aiden discovered, but I think that perhaps it gave her some peace. She’s mourning Jack’s loss, but she has her answer. She can move on.”

  “She’s strong. She’ll be okay.”

  “Yes, she will. I’ll make sure of it.”

  “I know.”

  Our eyes met, his worried, mine anxious.

  “What’s going on, Maddox?”

  I ran a hand over my face. “The night we had dinner with The Gavin Group, I saw a woman who looked familiar. It happened so fast I convinced myself I had imagined it.” I inhaled and blew out the air. “But I hadn’t. It was Jill.”

  “That girl from university?” Aiden asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Fuck,” Bentley swore.

  “She showed up on Tuesday night, insisting we talk.”

  Aiden scowled. “What the fuck did she want? Is she bothering you?”

  My hands curled into fists on the boardroom table, my knuckles turning white from the pressure.

  “Bothering is one word.” I gritted my teeth. “She’s blackmailing me.”

  They looked startled, sharing a glance, then returned their attention to me.

  “With what?” Aiden asked calmly.

  I slid the larger envelope his way. He opened it, his eyebrows rising as he looked at the pictures, but he said nothing. He passed the photos to Bentley.

  The silence screamed in my face.

  Bentley passed them to me, and I tossed them on top of the envelope.

  Bentley stood and paced. “This happened that spring. When I left university to open BAM, didn’t it?”

  “Yes. You were busy and rarely home, and Aiden was swamped with finals. It was a short, destructive relationship. You met her one time, and it was brief and not particularly pleasant.”

  “I didn’t like her.”

  “No, neither of you did, which probably made her even more interesting to me.”

  He stopped pacing, bracing his arms on the back of a chair. “You changed after you split. You were withdrawn for a long time. But you never talked about it.”

  I ran a hand through my hair. “I was embarrassed, horrified, and ashamed, Bent. I broke it off and avoided her at all costs. She left at end of term for an acting job, and I thought I would never have to think about it or her again. Until she showed up the other night.”

  I pushed the other envelope his way. He opened it, scanning the document I had created on our heavy, embossed compa
ny letterhead.

  Bentley read it and scowled, lifting his eyes to meet mine, then handed the letter to Aiden. He read it slowly, his brow furrowed as he made his way through the short document.

  “Explain this, Maddox,” Bentley demanded.

  I leaned forward. “She wants a house and money—a yearly payout. If I don’t give it to her, she is going to put these pictures out there. To the media, on social sites, everywhere. Once they’re out there, that’s it. BAM will forever be associated with them. The scandal will be huge. You don’t want that stain on your company, Bent.”

  “Our company,” he said.

  I continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “If I pay her, shut her up for now, and leave, if it ever comes out, you can distance yourself. Spin it so you can keep your reputation clean and not affect the company. Say you fired me the second this came to your attention. Whatever you need to do.”

  “And what do you plan on doing? Where will you work?”

  I barked out a laugh. “I don’t need to work. You know that.” I huffed out a long exhale of air. “I haven’t given it much thought, but I’ll probably move…somewhere. Get as far away as possible, so if it hits, the fallout for you will be minimal. I’ll find some little company that needs an accountant and take it on. I’ll be fine.” My voice barely shook as I lied.

  “Right. So you want to dissolve our partnership, leave town, and sever our friendship. Over some photos?”

  “I think it’s for the best.”

  “What about Dee?”

  I shook my head, unable to answer.

  Bentley picked up the letter, tearing it into pieces. “Not fucking happening, Mad Dog.”

  “Bent—”

  “No!” he roared. “What the hell are you thinking? That is not how this works. How we work! Jesus, Maddox! Where is your logic?”

  My anger suddenly matched his, and I stood and pounded the table. “I am thinking logically! I’m thinking about you and Aiden, and the company you worked so hard to build up! I know what your reputation means to you, and I won’t be the one to destroy it all.”