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I have known hate before; I’ve lived most of my life with it. Sadly, it was aimed at a person who didn’t deserve it, and I think that eats at me more, knowing I felt that way for so long about a person who was just trying to love my mum and paid the price for it.
All that aside, the way I feel about Jocelyn right now is right up there with that level of hate.
From the first moment I met her, she had it in for me. That is the stupid part of this war between us that has been festering for years. If she had accepted me and talked to me in the beginning, I think we could have made a great team. She knew this business, inside and out, from her years of working with my grandfather. But instead of doing that, she let jealousy and hatred for me get in the way of staying involved in a company that she had assumed would always be hers.
Her grandfather was the brother that my grandfather started the business with, but that was so many years ago that he sold out his shares, and way before she was even born. Darby Hotels was never hers to inherit, but my grandfather was the kind of man who brought her into the fold because she was family, and he wanted some connection after losing my father. I would have given her a share eventually, we could have done this together, but she was never born to be a team player, and I can’t work like that.
I might be the person whose name is above the door on this business, but I couldn’t do it without the men around this table. We are a team, and they know what they mean to me. I have never hidden my appreciation from them, and as much as we are constantly talking shit at each other, it’s the best kind of banter because it is done in good fun. To be honest, we wouldn’t be the friends we are if we took life too seriously. It’s just not who we are.
“Thank you for allowing me to be here tonight,” Jocelyn replies to me as she takes her seat next to Forrest.
I’m grinding my teeth, trying to be nice to her. “Let’s just try to be civil to each other and get through the night without any drama.” I can feel Victoria’s hand on my lap, trying to reassure me that I can do this. I can be a respectable man and not make a scene. Hell, I managed to get through the last fifteen minutes without punching that dickhead, when all I wanted to do was take him outside and teach him a lesson for speaking to Victoria like that.
If I can contain that anger, then surely, I can cope with the viper on the other side of the table. To be honest, she is probably more scared of Victoria than me, and I can’t blame her. The way she put her in her place that day in the boardroom had me in awe, and that was before we even really knew each other.
“I’m not here to talk about what you did. I’m here to support something that was important to my great uncle. I haven’t missed one of these dinners since the charity was started. He invited me every year, and I thank you for honoring that.” There is something about her that doesn’t sit right with me, and I can’t work out what it is. Maybe Rem was right in bringing her here tonight. Her not being in the office, we don’t really know what she is up to.
Now I feel a little guilty because our invitation for her tonight had nothing to do with honoring my grandfather and her relationship but more about us not trusting her. I just nod and don’t say anything, that way I’m not lying to her.
“Drinks.” Flynn places the drinks tray with the shots on it on the table and the waiter behind him has another tray full of beers and gin and tonics for the girls. Flynn is good, only knowing Victoria a short time, but he already knows her drink order, which means I need to watch these two. I have a feeling there is a very firm friendship forming between them, and that can only result in bad news for me. Two against one in arguments or votes on the ridiculous things, like where we go for dinner, means I will always lose, and we can’t have that.
“I don’t know if this is a smart idea but bottoms up.” Victoria holds her shot glass up for all of us to clink with each other.
“Tequila is never a good idea, but here we are,” Forrest comments with strain on his face. I know he is the serious one in the group, and it’s probably not fair how we have stuck him with Jocelyn, but he seems to manage her better than any of us can. I wonder if it’s a skill he learned growing up with Flynn and keeping him from derailing from stupidity.
I don’t think I’ve ever really seen Forrest completely let go, and I think it’s time we rectify that. He shouldn’t have to be the babysitter for us all the time. Tonight is not the night to test the theory, but one night when all this is over, I think a good night of fine food and drinking, followed by everyone sleeping over at the estate will be a good way to celebrate.
“Can’t say tequila is my poison of choice, but it will do,” I say as I lick the salt off my hand and suck on the lime.
With everyone finally seated, the entrees already served, and the conversation light around the table, Jocelyn is surprisingly quiet, and Victoria and Flynn are, as to be expected, talking non-stop. I know it’s a nervous thing, but she has no reason to be. I might be biased, but she is easily the most beautiful woman in the room. I could feel all the eyes on her as we entered, and while she thought that was about me and the accusations, it wasn’t. It was definitely all her.
Gordon takes the stage, and a hushed silence now falls over the room. He starts welcoming everyone and explaining the core values of the charity and what it does.
“Kindness before Violence has supported so many children, and we know that by supporting them after they have grown up in a domestic violence environment, they are far less likely to carry that violence on through their own adult life. With the programs, housing, and financial support we have in place for these children and parents or carers, they can begin to live a normal, calmer life and finally feel like they have a safe place. Everyone should have a safe place.” His passion for this is evident in the tone of his voice.
I understand why my grandparents both thought this was a wonderful idea and why I continue to pour money into it after their passing. I grew up in a tough environment, but no matter what was happening around us, I always felt safe and loved. Every child deserves that.
“So please give a big round of applause for Mr. Nicholas Darby of Darby Hotels who has already kicked off the night with his huge donation of two hundred and fifty thousand pounds.”
Obviously, he has forgotten I like to give anonymously, but it’s too late now. Everyone gasps and cheers, but the biggest gasp of all is from the woman beside me.
“Holy shit, Nicholas.” I can’t help but laugh at her. She really has no idea how much I’m worth, and it’s been refreshing.
The alcohol from her second gin and tonic is kicking in, and I’m just glad she is containing her volume. “How rich are you?” I’m not bothered she asks because I love the innocence of the question.
“Filthy rich,” I lean down and whisper in her ear.
I feel her shiver as I lay my arm across her shoulder and sit back up straighter.
“Figures, everything about you is filthy.” Her heated smile gives away what she is already thinking about, and it’s not my money.
“I don’t see a problem with that, do you?” I say to tease her a little.
“You know I don’t, and stop looking at me like that. We have a long night to get through, and it’s not fair if I’m sitting in wet underwear all night.” Oh yes, she is loosening up the more she drinks.
“Challenge accepted then.” And the burn that is rising between us already has me thinking about how early we can get out of here.
Unfortunately, the more drinks Victoria has means that everyone else is on the same round too. Jocelyn included.
