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“I am,” I say. “She’s having my kid. It’s only right.”
“None of this would have happened this way if you weren’t the director’s kid. Same with your brothers. They wouldn’t have been able to choose the brides they did. It’s not fair.”
Pushing off the wall, I move closer to him. My gaze searches his, and I tilt my head to the side as I cross my arms over my chest. He’s said this too many times for me to ignore or pass off as something else. These words mean something.
“Is there someone you want to marry?” I ask. “Did you take money from the family because you’re angry?”
There is a moment of silence as I watch Tatum’s gaze slide over to his older brother’s profile, then dip to the floor. That tells me all I need to know.
“Have you asked the director about the girl?” I ask.
“It doesn’t matter,” Tatum grinds out. “She is not a prize.”
I snort, and his eyes narrow instantly. “Any woman is a prize if she’s yours. Do you want her?”
“She’s an exotic dancer,” he says. “She will not fit in with the family in any way whatsoever.”
Nodding a couple of times, I take half a step backward, my gaze searching his. I don’t know exactly what to say. It’s true that I am ending up with the woman of my choice, and that had Harlow not betrayed the family, I would be marrying her tomorrow, not Allison.
But I was also granted the option to keep Allison, which is not common at all, and I know the only reason is because my father is the director. So he’s correct, to a degree. Sliding my tongue along my bottom lip, I try to think of a solution to this, but I have zero power when it comes to the family, absolutely none. I also can’t try to explain my situation because I can tell he wouldn’t listen to my words anyway.
I think about texting my father with what I’ve discovered, but that option is taken away when the door opens, and the executives make their way back into the room. They are all emotionless, stony faced, but they’re also trained to be that way, so it doesn’t mean anything.
“A decision has been made,” my father announces. “A decision I did not vote on. This was decided by the executives and only the executives. I had no voice in any of it. I just watched and listened,” he begins.
I find that impressive, especially as vocal as my father can be. One of my uncles steps forward, his eyes focused on Tatum’s and only Tatum’s. “When it comes to Tatum, we’ve decided to release him to his mother. However, he will be monitored heavily,” he states.
“My brother?” Tatum asks on a whimper.
I can see the tears welling in his eyes. They’re genuine. He appears to be completely distraught, and I don’t blame him. His father really fucked this whole thing up, and him, too.
“Tait will be on lockdown and probation for one year. Afterward, he will be reevaluated, and if there is to be any further action, it will be taken then.”
It’s not a bad plan. My father’s gaze cuts to mine, and I know I’m going to be the one keeping an eye on Tait, which will be easy enough because I’ve got everything already hacked and monitored.
“If you have a burner phone, you will be required to hand that to the director. Do you have any questions?” my uncle asks.
For the first time since he’s been here, on his knees, I watch as Tait’s entire body relaxes. He breathes fully. I’m not sure if I should feel good in this moment or be wary, but I choose to be grateful that a smart and calm decision was made. Dad’s right. We’ve had a lot of deaths recently. It will be nice to save some of our men.
“No questions,” Tait murmurs. “I will relinquish whatever is required of me, and I will be a model member of the family from now on.”
My father takes a step forward, crouching down in front of him. “Please know that this is the first time an offer like this has ever been made to a member of the family who has betrayed us in any way. Do not waste this. Do not make me regret this.”
“I will not, Director. I vow it.”
My father lifts his hand, claps it down on Tait’s shoulder, and gives him a gentle shake. “Let us rise from the ashes and create a new legacy.”
And that is that.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
HENDRICK
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, my suit on, with not a fucking ounce of sleep being had, I stare at my reflection. I have a ring I didn’t even pick out in my pocket. It’s gaudy, fucking massive, and it was for my bride. The promised bride I was supposed to marry, the traitor who was trying to manipulate me and my family.
Someone clears their throat behind me. Turning my head, I look over my shoulder to find both of my brothers standing in the middle of the room watching me. They’re both smirking, and I roll my eyes at them.
