AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I thought it strange when you changed the location of Great Escape out of the blue.” Regret flickered in his father’s eyes. “I didn’t believe it, but decided to let you go ahead. When I learned not only the lovely woman you brought to the dinner party worked at Great Escape but had a grandmother residing there, everything became clear.”
Cole ran his fingers down his face. “It’s not what it looks like. Of course Nikki had compelling reasons, but they weren’t all self-serving. The new site will be better for the residents, and the investors will benefit in the long run. It’s a win-win.”
“Of course. Which is why I’m not doing one thing to get in your way.”
“Thank you,” Cole said. Relief relaxed his shoulders and loosened his limbs more than the dose of hard liquor had. His father may be resentful, but a dumb businessman he was not. If he brought Cole’s ulterior motives to the board, he’d make his company and himself look weak. He didn’t care how people perceived Cole, but from the moment his name was linked to Cole’s and the company, he retreated.
“I want you to do well at Great Escape. Besides your reasoning, the new location will be better for everyone.”
“I wouldn’t do it if it meant a financial loss.”
His father’s glance lingered, turning into a calculated once-over. “All right. Well, son, congratulations. I’m willing to sell you my stocks at a price only a father would sell, and therefore giving you power over Myler Enterprises.”
Cole took another sip of whisky, the alcohol adding to the adrenaline rushing through his veins. An emotion he couldn’t pinpoint thickened his throat and stung the back of his eyes. His father’s approval—this was it, in the only way his father knew how. What else could it be?
“There’s only one caveat,” his father said.
“Yeah?”
“I want you to move to New York to run it from our headquarters.”
His blood thrummed in his temples. “New York?”
“Yes. That’s where I’ve lived most of the time, and there’s a reason for that. Most of our companies are there, so even though you’ll be traveling often, that should be your home base.”
“I can live anywhere and be there as needed. I assure you I’ll be just as efficient.”
“No. You can’t run an empire remotely. Your connections, everything is there.”
Cole sighed. On paper it made sense, but a part of him had to think this was the ultimate sacrifice his father demanded of him. After all, he took Keith from his life, then his mother. So why wouldn’t his father expect for him to say goodbye to the only woman he loved?
“What is it going to be, son?” his father said, drawling on the last word. “Will you take the stocks and move to New York or say goodbye to the company?”
* * *
“Mom,” Henry asked. “Can we please have more mac and cheese?”
Nikki finished cutting the strawberries and glanced at the kids. Besides her kids, she’d invited Violet’s children to come over after school. Now they all sat around the dining table. “Sure.” She brought the casserole where she’d sneakily hidden some broccoli with the recipe from Pinterest and placed it in the middle of the table. She was about to start serving each kid more when her cell phone buzzed in her apron.
She fished it out and instantly recognized Violet’s number. “Why don’t you guys help yourselves. I-I’ll be right back,” she said, grabbing the phone to make sure none of the kids saw Violet’s pretty face on the caller ID screen. The last thing she needed was for her children to feel rejected—they were already confused by mommy’s supposed unplanned vacation.
She clicked on the phone by the third ring and dashed to the front of her house, closing the door behind her. “Violet?” she asked when she held the device against her ear. Apprehension trickled down her spine. “Please tell me you’re getting massages and mani-pedis in a fancy spa and will be back soon.”
“Nikki, I’m sorry—”
Her voice sounded concerned, haunted, edgy.
“No, honey, it’s okay. We’re all worried about you.”
“I know. I am too, which is why I left. I miss my kids like crazy but I can’t be around them right now. I’m seeking help and will come back as soon as I can.”
“Violet. I’m sorry you’re going through a rough patch. Are you seeing a doctor?” She wanted to make sure her friend didn’t join some weird cult like the stories she saw on late night TV.
“Yes, I’m doing therapy and stuff.”
Stuff? Could she be more specific? “Have you contacted Damian?”
“Yes, I called him before I called you. He’s mad at me for leaving. He doesn’t understand I was in a very dark place and couldn’t take care of the kids anymore. I’d hurt myself before hurting them.”
