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It was the most heart-felt present I have ever received, I just wish he would have asked me to open it when I was with him.
The rest of the holiday was pretty quiet. The mines was shut down from running any coal for the week, so I laid on the couch, watching old movies, sulking in my own agony. I wanted to go to Colton, and thank him for the necklace, but the shame I carry for betraying him, rips at me. I don’t deserve him, but I just don’t know how to let him go.
Since the mines opened back up, I haven’t had a moment to think. MSHA has visited all five of the mines, slamming us hard with violations. Everything from torn curtains, to exposed wiring, everyday shit that should be handled, but obviously ain’t been.
Then, the big D9 bull dozer at the Black Ridge mines was sabotaged. The equipment was operating just fine, and then when the night shift crew came on duty, it wouldn’t start. After the mechanic broke the bull dozer down, he found that sugar had been poured into the gas tank. So, there went nine hundred thousand dollars into new equipment. I nearly stopped breathing as I signed my name to that damn check.
In the mix of dealing with this bullshit, I’m coming down with a stomach virus. It’s been floating around lately, I remember Heidi Jo having it a couple times before Christmas. I haven’t been running a fever, just really nauseous, dizzy, and weak. I’d take a few days off to rest, but there is no rest for a CEO. Not when my work is the only distraction that is shielding my broken heart.
I’ve just sat back down at my desk, from spewing the contents of my breakfast into the toilet when Shelly knocks on the door, then enters.
“Ms. Simon, I’m sorry to bother you, but Mr. Varney is here to see you again.”
I nod to Shelly with a polite smile as she steps aside, making room for Drew to enter, before she closes the door behind her.
“Mr. Varney, to what do I owe the displeasure of your visit this afternoon? You obviously didn’t hear me loud enough on your last visit when I told you to make an appointment the next time you wished to see me.” I smile, poker face in place, refusing to give away the nervous flutters he sends coursing through me. Maybe it’s just the nausea.
Drew takes a seat across from me, crossi
ng his long leg over his knee. Damn even the way he sits, he looks like Daddy. “Ms. Simon, I told you once, it’s Drew. I’m here about the offer I made you a few weeks back, about buying your contract with Dalton Trucking. Have you taken that into consideration?” He smirks. Jackass.
“I haven’t and I don’t plan to. Have you considered my offer to buy your partnership in Dalton Trucking?”
Drew tosses his head back and laughs, grabbing his stomach for show. “You know it seems that a woman who is drowning in her own company would just give up, and walk away. After the accident with your Superintendent, and then your equipment being destroyed at Black Ridge, how is it your still willing to work in the coal business? Must be that tough Simon skin, I guess.” He chuckles.
“How do you know about the equipment at Black Ridge?”
“Keep my ear to the ground. Now, how about it. Sell your contract with Dalton Trucking.”
“Not gonna happen. Now, please, I’m busy, and don’t have time for your bullshit. See yourself out, and don’t let the door hit you in the ass.” I sneer at him, turning my attention back to my work.
“You’re really such a stubborn woman.”
“Much like you’re a greedy bastard, ready to sink your filthy claws into any struggling company you can, just for personal gain?”
He leans forward, bracing his elbows on his knees, a sly, sinister smile covering his face. “Is that really any way to speak to your dear brother?”
I bite down on the inside of my lip, and take a deep breath. Did he really just ask that? How the hell does he know? “Brother? YOU, Mr. Varney, are anything but. And I’ll speak to ruthless bastards any damn way I please.”
“Cut the shit, you stupid bitch. I’ve been screwed up, over and every which way but sideways for damn too long by you frickin’ Simons. I’m here, and I’m staking my claim on the Simon Energy empire.”
“And what claim do you think you have, exactly, Mr. Varney?”
He pulls an envelope from his suit pocket, slinging it across the desk at me. I already know what it is, so there’s no need to look at the DNA results. I shove the paper back in his direction.
“Open the envelope. It’s time you know the truth, Carly.”
“I know what that paper says, but it’s just that, a slip of paper. It means not one damned thing to me.” I reply, smiling sweetly, holding my poker face intact.
“So you know that I’m Big John’s son, your brother?”
“Yeah, I read that in some paperwork that I found hid away in a trunk in the back of Daddy’s closet when I moved back home. Just black words on white paper. Meaningless.” I shrug him off, and this fuels his anger. He growls slightly, shifting in his chair, continuing to stare an icy cold glare at me.
“You think you’re some privileged little bitch don’t you, Carly? Always had it all growing up? Got it all now? Hell, look at you. Just twenty-five and you’re the CEO of one of the largest coal companies in Kentucky. Must be real nice to have everything served up for you on a silver platter.”
“Mr. Varney, first of all, its Ms. Bitch to you. Secondly, I’m not stupid. I’ve done my research on you, and I know more about you than you think. I know that MY daddy gave you a lavish life, making sure that you had the best education, the best home for you and your mother, the best of everything. I know that he left you money in his will, and I know that he left his partnership in Dalton Trucking to you. You’re just a greedy bastard who thinks you can terrify me into letting you extort my family of our business and money. Well, I’ll give you money. I’ll write you a check right now for your partnership in Dalton Trucking, only if you’ll walk away now, and never look back.”
Drew throws his head back and laughs a devious, bone chilling laugh. “What makes you think I’d be willing to accept such an offer?”
