“Sit down, Julian. You’re too old to be throwing a tantrum,” Father scolds him. “Your grandfather taught me the best way to learn is through experience.” Father stops and frowns. “Well, would you look at that. It’s the same thing Layla said.” He starts to nod, looking impressed. “Bright girl, but I digress.” Father leans back in his chair. “It took longer than I thought it would, but you’ve come to an understanding, haven’t you?”
I pull a confused face. “I’m not quite following.”
“I threw a bone in a dog camp, expecting my sons to realize they weren’t dogs, but wolves. Dogs fight over bones. Wolves hunt in a pack. They catch the big prey.”
‘Listening to what he has to say. Showing him that you understand him, even though you differ in opinion.’
“You wanted to make sure we would stand by each other during an attack,” I say, finally understanding.
“Yes!” Father slams his hands down on the table. “Yes, my boy!” His face pulls with emotion as he rises to his feet. “How could I leave you my life’s work if I wasn't sure you’d protect it.” His chin starts to tremble, and it has me swallowing hard on the emotion. “It’s not about the money. You can always make more. CRC is our legacy. It belonged to my father and his best friends. It belonged to my best friends and myself. It will belong to the two of you, Mason and Lake. It’s a legacy of trust, of loyalty…” Overwhelmed with emotion, Father slumps back down in his chair and covers his eyes with a trembling hand.
I look to Julian, when he says, “It’s a legacy of brotherhood.”
Father looks exhausted as he reaches into his breast pocket. He pulls out a box and sets it down on the table between Julian and me.
“Woodrow Wilson.” He keeps his hand on the box. “Who will take over from me?”
I take a moment to gather my emotions. Standing up, I straighten my jacket and clear my throat, and then I hold my hand out to Julian. “I trust you and Mason will take good care of CRC.”
Julian rises to his feet and placing his hand in mine, we shake.
When we take our seats again, Father slides the box to Julian’s side. “Good. Good. You start tomorrow. I’ll officially retire at the Thanksgiving celebration. You’ll be inaugurated at a special board meeting which will be held the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.”
“So soon?” Julian asks, looking a little pale.
“I’m tired, Julian. She’s a big ship to steer. I’m afraid if I continue to stay at the helm, I’ll steer her into stormy seas.”
I didn’t even join the company, and I’m tired, so I can only imagine what my father must feel like.
“What are you going to do once you retire?” Julian asks.
“I’m going to have lunch with Layla and find out where that place is that God made while he was angry. That sounded interesting.”
“You really like her,” Julian affirms.
“I do. I do.” An expression of loss crosses Father’s features. “I suppose that’s what happens when you grow old. You come face to face with your what could have been. You look into her eyes, and you see old dreams.”
Holy shit.
Did he love Stephanie?Chapter 23LaylaThis time I’ve borrowed one of Kingsley’s dresses. I really don’t see the need to buy a dress for the couple of occasions I’ll attend in the future. We’re both wearing tweed woolen dresses because it’s cold and we don’t plan on freezing our butts off.
Once we’re ready and it’s time to go, we meet the guys in the lobby so we can attend the Thanksgiving function for CRC Holdings.
Falcon’s eyes do a slow sweep over me, and then his sexy smirk comes out to play. “You look beautiful,” he says, and the pride in his voice makes me feel really pretty.
“Let’s get going,” Mason says.
As we step outside the building, Serena walks towards us. “Who am I riding with?”
“You’re going to the Thanksgiving function?” Falcon asks, not looking happy.
“Yes, your mother was sweet and invited me,” she boasts.
“Luckily, my car only has two seats.” Falcon walks to his Lamborgini and opens the passenger door, “Layla?”
I smile at him as I get in, and hear Mason grumble, “Kingsley you’re with me. I’m less likely to kill you.”
“I guess that leaves you, Lake,” Serena says.
When we’re all ready, Falcon pulls away, with Mason and Lake following. Looking out the window, I notice students stop and stare as we pass them by, and I slide down in the seat, bringing my hand up to cover my face.
Falcon lets out a chuckle. “Why are you hiding?”
Driving out of the gates of Trinity Academy, Falcon begins to speed up. “I’m not used to people staring, and you better not go over the speed limit.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We enter a double lane and Mason pulls up next to us. Glancing into the car I see Kingsley staring out of her window, her head turned away from Mason.