Any perceived impropriety would not only jeopardize the deal we’d been working on for two months, but my own job. Because the blame would undoubtedly fall on me, the wicked son of a criminal as opposed to the preacher’s innocent angel. After all, I’d willingly committed the deadly sin of lust on a regular basis. And the sun had indeed set on my wrath every night. Then, the other sins …Shit. There was only one course of action—keep Granny from seeing the latest post from her favorite influencer, Ms. Tea Spills It.
The twenty-minute drive to the Batchelor Corporation offices in Downtown Detroit was uneventful. No traffic, no road rage incidents, no flooding in the streets, and no tires ruined due to potholes. Confident that I could mitigate the damage when I entered the building, I greeted the lobby receptionist and grabbed a coffee.
Unfortunately, my morning turned even more sour when I entered my tenth-floor office and found my uncle lounging in my chair as if he owned it. Frowning, I asked, “What the hell are you doing here?”
It was no secret that I couldn’t stand my father’s brother, John. The older man had taken pleasure from making my life a living hell. The vendetta between the Batchelor sons had been well-known in the family’s circle. They’d barely tolerated each other. And my father’s death had done nothing to dampen the ire that had been evident since they were little boys.
My uncle crossed a leg over his knee. “Running late this morning?”
“What the hell are you doing in my office, John?” I repeated.
I learned a long time ago that nothing was guaranteed. Time. Money. Status. Trust. Family loyalty. Everything was subject to approval by the person giving it. Anyone expecting to receive those things was often left empty, lacking. John was a bottom-feeder, an opportunist, the worst kind of man. He had no problem trouncing over his competitors to turn a profit or gain an advantage. No one had to tell me that he was full of shit. My instincts had warned me early on, maybe when I was around twelve. I refused to call him “uncle” because the man had never acted like anyone other than an adversary.
“It’s the anniversary of my brother’s death.”
“I know what day it is,” I growled. “I’m surprised you care, considering you probably danced on his grave after his funeral.”
It was no secret that I had struggled with my father’s life and legacy. I’d spent years running from the past, from my family, from my mistakes. The rage dwelling deep inside made me want to destroy everything around me, especially myself. My sole identity was wrapped up in my father’s failures. No direction. No job. Just liquor, women, and mayhem. Until Granny offered me a second chance and ordered me to get my shit together.
John shrugged. “Call me curious, I thought I’d stop by to make sure you were managing better than in years past.”
I snorted. “You’d like that, huh? To finally be rid of the daily reminder that my mom chose him over you?”
The bitter sibling rivalry was amplified when my father stole John’s girlfriend and married her. The fact that I was a product of that union rankled my uncle in ways that had affected me negatively throughout my life.
John let out a humorless, sinister chuckle. “Actually, no. Watching you fuck up your life has been pure joy, proof that Harriett picked the wrong Batchelor.”
“All that bitterness,” I mused. “I would think being a father of three and preparing for your third divorce would give you more to worry about than which Batchelor my mother chose over thirty years ago. Maybe it’s time you move on? She has, and so has everyone else.”
“It’s only a matter of time before my mother realizes that you’re full of shit just like Cedric was,” John continued. “When she does, I’ll make it my mission to destroy you.”
I clenched my fists, took several slow breaths.Three. Two.One.The urge to pummel him wasn’t a new emotion for me. I’d followed through once, too, which landed me in the county jail. Since then, I vowed to never lose my composure again. Instead, I forced a smile. “Have a good day.” Opening a file my assistant had left on my desk, I scanned the front document and waited for John to leave. When the older man made no move to get up, I met his waiting gaze. “What?”
John finally stood. “My mother made a mistake when she brought you into this company, mentoring you, handing you Garland on a silver platter.”
“Too bad I don’t care what you think.”
“Maybe you should,” John sneered. “The only person standing between you and me is her, and when she dies, I’ll make sure your unworthy ass has nothing.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “I hope that day doesn’t come anytime soon because I actually loveher, and not her money. I’ll play along for your sake, though. On that unfortunate day, John, you’ll realize that I don’t give a shit about you or your kids. I have never needed you before and I will not need you then. Fuck you. Get the hell out ofmyoffice.”
We stood there for several seconds, eyes locked. The dare was there.Do something.John should’ve been thankful Granny was still alive because she was the only person stopping me from beating his old ass.
John turned away and took a deep breath before he walked out without another word. It took a few minutes, but I managed to regain my focus on the matter at hand. I called Granny’s office.
Granny’s assistant answered the phone. “Hey, you. You saved me a call.”
I massaged my temples and prayed I wasn’t too late. “You’re looking for me?” I asked.
“Yes, your grandmother would like to see you.”
I swallowed hard. “When?”
“Now,” she chirped. “The others have already been notified.”
The others?“What is this, Jeanette?”
“I wish I could tell you,” she said, “but she told me to keep my mouth shut.”
