“But Asher’s heart never belonged to the business. Always, he wanted to help people, to make a positive impact on society, to be something more, something he would never get at home.”
“Why didn’t he pursue law enforcement earlier? Why work a job he hated?”
“He was his father’s son and would have done anything to please the man.”
“Even give up his dream job?”
“Even that. After my son, Ashkii—Duke, died, Asher assumed the mantle of responsibility as his father had wanted. He did so faithfully for eight years.”
“That’s when he left for the FBI?”
Johona nodded.
“Why did he wait for so long?”
“First, to fulfill his promise to his father. Then to make sure Ezekiel was ready.”
“Ready for what? To take Cameron—Ash’s place?”
“Ezekiel is a strong, confident man, but he never strove for, nor wanted to lead the business. He, like many, thought Asher would be the one to do so until he retired.”
“It must have been a shock when Ash left.”
“Devastating. He idolized his brother, even though barely twelve months separated them. Within days of Asher’s announcement, Ezekiel found himself in charge of the livelihoods of his entire family. A weight he had never experienced while in his brother’s comfortable shadow.”
Liv could almost picture the moment. Zeke standing before his brothers, ready to give them directions—and choking. Zeke, with his hands cradling his pounding head while his eyes stared uncomprehendingly at his first P&L statement.
“But I’ve heard the others mention how Zeke reorganized and rebranded the business, turning it into the multimillion-dollar enterprise it is today.”
“Even when his father was alive, Ezekiel had ideas on how to expand the business. But my son”—she paused to watch a small, bright yellow bird bob up and down as it crossed their path—“my beloved son could, at times, be both bullheaded and single-minded.”
“And Ash didn’t have the desire to try anything new?”
Johona sent her a confirming smile. “Ezekiel will never truly be at peace while there’s a possibility of failure or disappointing his family. Because of this, he cannot fully put his faith in his brothers to do their jobs, so he questions and hovers and checks. All of which drives a wedge deeper and deeper between him and his team.”
“Which creates possibilities for failure and disappointment.”
“It is good you understand the circular trap he has created for himself. It will help you help him overcome his fear.”
Johona pushed through the chapel’s double doors, and the scent of old wood and dusty corners wafted over Liv.
In one visual sweep, she took in the high ceiling, wooden pews, and simple pulpit. Any other time, she would have gone from corner to corner to rub her fingers over the polished surfaces and to study the hand-painted stations of the cross mounted on the walls. But her mind was too busy formulating a response to Johona’s puzzling comment.
“What do you mean ‘help him’?” She wasn’t a psychologist. How could she possibly accomplish something his family hadn’t? “I wouldn’t know how.”
“You already have.”
“How?”
Johona ascended the two shallow steps to the dais and turned to stare down at Liv. “My grandson has allowed no one but family and staff to set foot on this property, let alone sleep in our house.”
A warm, satisfied feeling curled in Liv’s stomach. “Why do you have so many guest rooms if you don’t allow visitors?”
“My daughter-in-law plans for every contingency.”
“I don’t think Lynette cares much for me.”
“She will love who her sons love.”