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THIRTY
THEO
Curtis Gerard fucked with the wrong man. Tracking down the details of the sale of Gerard Fine Foods was easy, especially when the East Coast offices of my firm are a part of the negotiations. It didn’t take much effort to convince the managing partners of my firm to derail the negotiations, especially since Charlie Kirk is on their radar. They’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to oust him, and since he’s the one representing Hadley’s brother and Gerard Fine Foods, it seems they think this is the perfect time.
If I have my way, Hadley’s stay in Seaside will become permanent. She won’t ever return to Georgia, unless it’s on her terms. I want to call her and tell her the good news the minute I get words all negotiations will happen in Portland, but I’d rather deliver the news myself.
When I arrive home, the house is dark and quiet. I tiptoe through the house, making my way up the stairs. Little slivers of light shine underneath the kids’ bedroom doors. I open each one, checking on them and finding them snuggled deep under their covers with nightlights on to keep away the monsters and ghosts.
I’m surprised to find Hadley still awake when I reach the master bedroom. She’s laying against a mountain of pillows, her phone in her hand, the screen illuminating her face.
“Holy shit,” she whispers once she realizes I’m standing in the doorway. She drops her phone onto her chest before scrambling to sit up. “Theo. What are you doing home?”
I shrug as I pull off my tie, setting my suit jacket on a chair next to my dresser. “Too eager to see your face,” I answer with a wink. “What are you still doing up?”
She sighs and flops back down against the pillows. “Trouble sleeping. Too much has happened over the last week, and I don’t want to leave you or the kids.”
“You’re not.” I stride across the room, easily eating up the distance with each step until I’m next to her, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I told you. You’re not going alone, and now you don’t have to go at all.”
Her eyes widen and her mouth falls open. “How is that even possible?”
I explain the details to her, telling her about my research into the deal her brother is negotiating to sell Gerard Fine Foods. “Your family business is my firm’s client. All I had to do was convince my boss’s boss to move the meetings to Portland. You’ll also have to sign a form retaining me as your finance manager as well.”
“That’s incredible!” She pops up and throws her arms around my neck, pressing her lips firmly to mine. “If I wasn’t so exhausted, I’d—”
I press my fingers against her lips. “No need to tempt me. I can read your mind, baby, but after a long drive, I’m ready to fall asleep with you in my arms.”
She sighs. “That sounds perfect.”
Once I’ve changed out of my business clothes and into a T-shirt and boxers, I slide into bed next to Hadley and reach out, gathering her into my embrace. We’re quiet as I stroke my hand through her hair, listening only to the sound of her breathing.
“I really don’t have to go home?”
“No, you don’t. You’re staying right here with me and the kids, and we’re going to spend the weekend at the farmer’s market. Just like we planned.”
“Curtis is going to be pissed.”
“Fuck your brother. He wants you there so he can use what you’re rightfully and legally entitled to against you. He was going to use that money to hold you hostage and I wasn’t going to let that happen.”
She nuzzles her face against the crook of my neck. “You’re like a brave knight going into battle to rescue the fair maiden.”
Her assessment of the situation makes me chuckle. “I would never call myself a brave knight. I’m simply a man who knows what he wants and doesn’t want to let her go.”
“I’ve never really had anyone on my side before. I come from a family of rich, selfish assholes. Everyone only has their own best interest in mind. The only reason my cousin Tanner was able to branch out on his own is because he’s a man. The men have free reign in my family, they can do whatever they damn well please. I used to envy my mother for escaping.”
Hadley doesn’t talk much about her family, so I listen to every word she’s saying, knowing this is another opportunity to learn more about her. “Your parents are divorced?”
“No. My mama died.”
It’s hard for me to comprehend being envious of someone who’s dead, or the extreme level of isolation Hadley must have felt in her family to have such thoughts. How could her father not love her enough? How could he cruelly ignore her and sacrifice his relationship with her for business?
My hold on her tightens. “I’ve got you now, baby, and you’ll never have to fight your battles alone. I’m here for as long as you’ll have me.”
The sound of her softly snoring is the only response I get so I take it as a sign to finally allow myself to relax. This weekend might be my last chance to relax for a while, not until the business with Curtis is finished and I have some idea of Serena’s next moves.
In the morning, I let Hadley sleep. It’s Friday, not her usual day off, but not only is she dealing with her own family issues, but I’ve asked her to carry the weight of my baggage by making her a part of my life.
I hear Piper singing and playing with her toys so I peek my head into her room. “Hey, peanut,” I whisper.
