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And why did I care what my father thought about how Teague ate his cereal? I couldn’t even have dinner with my brother without our father invading my thoughts.
“What’s he done now?” Teague’s expression turned concerned.
“Just the usual.What I say is law and you must obey,” I said in a fake thundering voice. “Last I checked, I built a multi-billion-dollar European division. I’m pretty sure I don’t need someone standing over me with a stick.”
“Quit.”
I slumped in my chair. “I know I shouldn’t complain. Especially after what he did to you and Pepper.” I sniffed bitterly. “Lincoln is like a shield between us anyway.”
My older brother had kept most of our father’s attention on himself so it wouldn’t be on me. Unfortunately, he couldn’t protect me from this.
“I meant quit the company. Get away from him. Start your own.” He put on a begging face. “Preferably in New York.”
Guilt niggled at me even as my defenses rose. Neither of my brothers had any problem expressing just how much they wanted me back in the citypermanently. I appreciated that they loved me enough to want me around, but I’d needed to go to London to get out from underneath the shadows of the Hollingsworth men.
I’d missed my brothers though.
Every time I’d come to New York over the years, it became harder to leave. So I’d stopped.
I loved my life in London too. I’d made friends and found my little corner of the world. It was home.
Until I’d been summoned by my father to return.
I’d put him off for as long as I could manage. When he’d had enough, he’d threatened to take away my position. Maybe I should’ve let him, but I’dearnedit. I wasn’t going to let it go without a fight.
I’d been back in New York for several weeks and it was almost as if I’d never been gone. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed my brothers, even if they were overbearing. I’d made a family in London, but it wasn’t the same.
“I don’t want to quit.” As hard as the role of vice president of the European division was, I loved it. Putting an ocean between me and my father had made it slightly easier to handle. But I loved searching out properties. Turning something in despair into something magnificent. Creating a portfolio of the most desirable properties in the world.
The business was exhilarating.
And I was great at it.
“I said start your own.” He drained the rest of his milk.
“I don’t want to do that.” I spoke before I’d even considered the idea. But that was the truth. I liked where I was.
Once I figured out how to get out of this farce of a wedding, I’d be on track again.
You could just get on a plane back to London.
I could be there in a few hours. In time for breakfast with Lawson, Annie, and Joss. They were my close girlfriends and knew nothing of the hell that existed in New York. With them, it was like I had a different life. One thatIchose.
I’d be safer if I went back.
But I wasn’t ready to yet.
The professional piece of my life was nearly perfect. The personal . . . I had a lot to work on. Being around my brothers and my best friend had been good for my soul. I wasn’t done recharging.
New York isn’t good for you.
It was and it wasn’t. I’d fallen right back into old habits as if I’d never left. But I was closer to my family than ever.
“I’m going to figure out a way to make you stay,” he said with determination.
Dad’s already beat you to that, big brother.
“Let me know what you come up with.” I stretched and yawned. “Thanks for letting me come by for some late-night cereal.”
