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As I reached the landing, I noticed Robert’s office door was open. Sighing, I stood where I was for a few seconds. Then I headed toward it, knocking on the door just once.
“Come in,” Robert barked.
I realized as soon as I walked inside that he was packing up his things. I’d driven him away after all these years. I said nothing for a few seconds, uncertain of what to say to him.
He finally turned, snorting when he saw me. “I assure you that I’ll be out of your life this afternoon.”
“That’s not what I want, Robert. I think you know that.”
He tossed a few things in one of the boxes placed on his desk. “Yeah? Well, you have a funny way of showing it. However, I did want to talk to you before I left.”
“About?”
“The board of directors. They won’t wait to see changes for long.”
I almost laughed. “Do you want to tell me which one of them is on Prescott’s payroll?”
“I don’t know if any of them are. They have a right to be concerned.”
“Of course they do. I’ll handle them, Robert.”
“I’m sure you will.” After grabbing another picture and placing it inside, he stood back, gazing up and down the length of my body. “Are you okay?”
“Just some sore ribs and cuts and bruises. I’ll be fine.”
“I’m sorry about what happened. I really am.”
“Yeah, so am I. I can’t force you to stay, Robert, but we’ve been in business together for a long time. I hate for it to end this way.”
“Is that your way of apologizing?”
“It’s the best I can do,” I said quietly. While I was doing my best to sound apologetic, what I was really doing was fishing. I moved closer, offering a fake smile.
He continued to study me for a full minute. “I need some time away, Montgomery. I can’t work under the conditions that you’ve enforced on all of us. I know your heart was crushed, but you can’t run an operation this way.”
“I know that. Things are going to change.”
“You know? I really do hope so. You’re a good man, almost exactly like your father. Anyway, maybe we’ll talk.” He grabbed one of the boxes, heading for the door, walking past me without saying another word.
“I have a question for you, Robert, before you go.”
“Okay.”
“Are you afraid of the dark?” I leaned in his doorway, planting a grin on my face. When he turned around, the look in his eyes was haunted.
“What the hell does that mean?”
Exhaling, I took a few seconds before answering. “That means monsters really do exist. Be careful, my old friend. Betrayal is a nasty beast.”
While he said nothing, I could tell his entire body was shaking. Perhaps that would send a message to Prescott.
The asshole had fucked with the wrong man.
After a few seconds, I headed toward the window in his office, studying his actions as he loaded his car, finally grabbing his phone. I could only imagine who Robert’s first call would be.
As I unlocked and walked into my office, I was surprised the darkness that had nearly suffocated me had lifted. At least to some degree. I wanted the winery to succeed. I’d enjoyed every second of Aspen’s presentation, giving her the go ahead, but only if she promised to take care of herself. I couldn’t help but smile. She would always be a handful.
I headed toward the window in my office, staring out at the gorgeous afternoon sky. My father had once told me that the only people you could trust in your life were family. I’d forsaken that far too easily. Maybe it was time to change not just my behavior but decisions that I’d made a long time ago.
