“Okay, Unca AJ!” He takes off toward Hayley, shouting, “Mama. I wanna go for a swim!”
Hayley waves to me and I return the gesture, then turn back to my parents. “What’s going on? Has something been said?”
“Your grandfather is growing tired of waiting for you to make a decision.”
I huff out a frustrated breath. “I’ve already given him my decision, but it doesn’t stop him from harassing me about it at least once a week.”
Dad sighs. “He’s an old man, Son. Just humor him. Do what he asks and once he’s gone, you can make your own choices.”
“I don’t want to do that. I’ve got my own business with Dylan, which is growing by the week. I don’t want to walk away from it. We’ve worked damn hard to build it up to where we are today.” I wave my arm out toward Mom. “Mom is dying to get in there and take over. She’s wanted to be part of it since she was a little girl—”
“It’s his business, his decision,” Mom says tightly. “Just go and get the conversation out of the way, so we can enjoy a pleasant afternoon as a family. Okay?” I don’t know why she’s happy to continue being overlooked for the position.
I roll my eyes heavenward. “Okay. But I doubt it will be a pleasant afternoon when I say what needs to be said.”
I walk away before Dad can try to convince me to do otherwise. I’m sick and tired of being bullied into a role I don’t want. A role I have absolutely zero interest in. My heart pounds and I strengthen my resolve as I close the distance to Grandfather’s study—a place that was always off-limits when I was a child.
I blow out a breath as my hand connects with the heavy door to push it open. I’m taken aback when I look at his grand desk to find the chair behind it empty. Skimming my eyes around the spacious room, they land on him standing in front of the window, hands in the pockets of his shorts. It’s odd to see him dressed so casually. From my earliest memories, even on weekends, he always wore a suit.
“Grandfather.” I step into the middle of the room after closing the door.
He keeps his gaze out of the window. “I’m not getting any younger, you know, boy.”
“I know.”
“Exactly how long do you intend to make me wait.”
As much as my body wants to move, to leave the room, I stay glued to the spot. “I’ve already told you, Grandfather. I don’t want the position. It’s something Mom has wanted since she was young. Give it to her. Your company will be in safe hands with her. In fact, she’s probably better equipped to manage it than I could ever dream to be.”
He turns around to face me, his features drawn tight in anger. “And I’ve already told you she won’t be given the position. Ithasto be you. Stop trying to shirk your responsibilities, boy!” he shouts.
I keep my tone calm. He’s been getting progressively angrier each time we have this same discussion, but I’m not prepared to budge. I guess I get my stubbornness from him. “I’m not shirking my responsibilities. I have my own company to run. I’ve built it from nothing and I’m not prepared to walk away from it or from doing something I love. Especially now we’re hitting our stride. I don’t consider that shirking my responsibilities.”
He moves toward me. “Your responsibility is taking over the family company.”
“And Mom is more than happy to take the reins. Give the leadership position to her.” I want him to realize this is the twenty-first century and to make decisions accordingly, but we keep having this same argument. I could easily take the company from him and give Mom the position, but I want it to come fromhim. I think it’s important thathemakes that decision. I’ve seen how hurt Mom is each time he overlooks her and insists I take over. He needs to make it better.
“No.”
I blow out a breath and grasp the back of my neck. “We’re not living in the nineteen-fifties anymore, Grandfather.” Though sometimes I wonder, with the decisions being made by the government. “Women hold CEO positions all the time. It’s not uncommon. She would do a fantastic job. You know she would. You’re being stubborn.”
“Watch your tongue, boy. It’s my company, my decision and you’ll do as I say or so help me … you’ll be out of my will,” he snaps at me, spittle flying out of his mouth, reminding me of my place.
He wants me to take over his company but he still treats me like a child. He won’t let Mom take over, even though she’s been dying to do so since she was young, because, in his eyes, women don’t run corporations, they run homes or do menial type work. It’s infuriating.
I’m not going to win this conversation today. “Look, I think it would be best to have this conversation another day. This is meant to be a casual family barbecue celebrating the Fourth of July. I’ll make time to come into the office and we can have this discussion where it belongs.”
“It had better happen sooner rather than later, boy. I’m all out of patience. I want to retire at the end of this year. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Grandfather. I hear you loud and clear.”
CHAPTER16
–aj–
Dylanand I freeze as we step inside theCardinal Quarry Casino and Resortlobby, our overnight bags in hand. Polished brown and cream marble flooring gleams beneath our shoes and I’m pleased we decided to wear suits for this meeting with Mr. Mitchell, the owner. I can’t believe we were even on this guy’s radar, but this opportunity is beyond our wildest dreams. If we can land this contract, it could open up a whole new world for us because this resort casino is one of many that come under the family’s umbrella.
The twenty-minute drive from the airport to here in the complimentary limo sent by Mr. Mitchell to collect us was an unexpected bonus. The air conditioning was a welcome reprieve as we made our way through the city of Las Vegas toward the outskirts. The Mitchell family seems to be pulling out all the stops to impress us when it really should be us working to impress them. They even offered us the opportunity to stay in the hotel overnight free of charge and provided us complimentary chips for the casino. Dylan and I couldn’t pass up their offer and opted to return home in the morning, even though our meeting will be well and truly over and done with this afternoon.