“Already done. But while I was in there, I figured I’d pretend to be Maxwell. He’d bypass all the small shit and go directly into your personal files. You would never believe what I stumbled across accidently.”
“You were in my personal files? Why?”
“For security reasons. But you’re not playing along. Would you like to guess or not?”
He was too tired for games or any kind. “Gareth, I have no idea what you’re up to, but you should stop.”
“No can do. This is too much fun. Besides, I think you need my help and don’t know it.”
Charles did need Gareth. To keep an eye on Maxwell. Not dig into my personal shit. He wasn’t in the mood for starting an argument with him. But he would address it later. “With what exactly?”
Gareth said, “Pulling the family together. And if you haven’t figured it out by now, I found the contract. The one Dad created. I have no idea what the hell he was thinking putting that kind of pressure on you. We’re all grown-ass adults.”
Oh shit.Add that to the files on Maxwell and he just realized his computer wasn’t as secure as he’d thought. “He needed me to prove to him I was right for the job.”
“That’s fucking crazy. We all know you are. No one has the background you do.”
“That doesn’t change a thing. Unless I get everyone to agree to sign that contract, I’ll need to step down and Lawson Steel will—”
“It won’t. Have faith. We might not always agree, but when it comes to this company, it is a family business. Owned and run by Lawsons for over two hundred years. We’re not changing that now.”
He could hear the frustration in Gareth’s voice. Charles had felt the same way. “I can’t explain why Dad did this, but unless I get it signed—”
“Which you will. Just call a meeting and tell them everything,” Gareth blurted.
“You didn’t read the entire thing did you? I’m not allowed to inform any of you of the stipulations. Hell, with you knowing, it means I should step down.”
“The hell you are. And for the record, I read every word. It states clearly that you are not to tell any of us. At no point did it say anything about one of your brothers hacking in and coming across the document.”
“You can’t say anything to any of them,” Charles warned. He knew if their father caught wind of it, that would be the end.
“Charles, you are, and probably always will be, the rule follower. There’s nothing wrong with that. Hell, it’s what we want our CEO to be. But we live life a bit differently. Maybe that’s because we weren’t stuck being dragged around with Dad all over the place. Mom let us have some freedom. Sometimes too much. But it taught us to take a risk every once in a while. Sometimes it paid off, and other times, well let’s just say we’re lucky no one ever got caught.”
“And what does any of this have to do with Dad?” He already knew his brothers had raised hell when they were young.
“Dad never caught on. He was always so focused on the business that he never noticed the shit we were doing.”
“This is not the same at all.”
Gareth laughed. “It is exactly like that. Now you call the meeting and let the dice roll.”
“You’re fucking crazy if you think I’m going to put Lawson Steel on the line like that.”
“Charles, trust your brothers.”
That’s all he needed to say. Simple words, but very effective. “I’ll schedule it for the morning.”
“Good. Now tell me again why your phone was off. Could it have anything to do with Rosslyn Clark?”
“It may. And once again, still none of your business. By the way, that type of information is not stored on any computer.”
Gareth grunted. “With all the shit I do for you, you won’t even let me meet her.”
“That’s because I like her and she’s sweet. And sweet women don’t do well around you.”
“What does that mean?” Gareth questioned.
“They fall for your pickup lines too easily.”
Gareth laughed. “Oh. I see. You’re worried she won’t be able to resist my charm and I’ll steal your girl. Thanks for the compliment.”
Charles rolled his eyes. Whatever you want to believe. “If you don’t mind, I have a meeting to schedule and you must have a conquest waiting for you somewhere.”
“That I do. See you in the morning. And Charles, don’t lose any sleep over this. It’s nothing, trust me.”
Famous last words.He ended the call as he approached his building. Going up without having Rosslyn by his side sucked. Even though she never spent the entire night, she was there for most of it.
Tomorrow after work they’d talk, he’d set her up in an apartment and they could start the next phase of whatever this was between them. He wasn’t ready to label it, but he knew he didn’t want it to change.