But as I watch Seraphina, I’m glad I broke my rule for her. I’m not sure what to do about the emotions she’s stirring to life. Something I’ll have to sort through eventually. For now, though, I’m simply going to enjoy.
My phone rings. I throw back the covers and ease out of bed, grabbing my tuxedo pants off the floor and slipping into the living room so the ringing doesn’t wake Seraphina. I manage to pull my phone out of my pocket, anticipation building when I see the name on the screen.
“Good morning, Randolph.”
“Morning, Hawke. Did I wake you?”
I glance at my watch and grimace. Nearly eleven.
“I woke up a little bit ago.”
“Hell of a party last night.”
I smile. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
The hesitation on the other end of the line is my first clue that something’s wrong. My fingers tighten on the phone as cold slips into my chest.
“Everything all right?”
“Look, Hawke, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I can’t move forward with New Field.”
For a moment, there’s nothing but the thud of my own heart against my ribs.
“I see.”
“I want to keep my account with Hawke Financial. But that proposal isn’t a good fit with the campaign coming up.”
I start to argue, to reiterate all the reasons why now is the perfect time to move forward and capitalize on his stance on prison reform. But I can hear the conviction in his voice. He’s already made up his mind.
Should I tell him about David? Explain why this is so important?
No. There are plenty of stories in the files Seraphina and I compiled. Plenty of reasons why that place needs to be shut down. One more story isn’t going to change his mind. I’m not trotting out my brother’s pain and my failings just so Randolph can turn me down yet again.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
“You’re welcome.” He pauses. “I’m happy for you, Hawke. You and Seraphina.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you when we get back to New York.”
I hang up. Resist the urge to cross the room, throw open a window and chuck the phone into the canal.
There are other people. Others I can talk to, work through to bring Victor Hale to his knees and either destroy or restructure New Field.
But that will take time. More time, more money, more risks on people who might do what Randolph just did and pull away at the last minute. The happiness I’ve found the last few days vanishes, replaced by a cold ache. It’s an empty feeling but familiar. Empty is better than rage, than pain.
A soft creak sounds behind me. I turn to see Seraphina standing in the doorway, dressed in my tuxedo shirt.
“Aiden?”
“Randolph said no.”
She starts toward me, then stops. I see the indecision, the concern. I want to reach out to her, to tell her its okay. But I can’t. If I don’t keep myself calm, in control, the anger will take over. So will the pain of knowing that, once again, I have failed my little brother, just like I did all those years ago.
“I’ll contact my plane, notify them there’s been a change of plans and we’re leaving his afternoon.” I walk around her and start toward the bedroom. “You’re welcome to stay if you want, make use of the hotel.”
“I’ll come with you.”
I hate that that makes me glad. That a part of me is already so attached to this woman that her presence on the plane makes a difference.
