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I never knew River’s mother, but from what I’ve been told, she was like Gina, so I’m not surprised Neil didn’t mention his second wife. It was obvious she didn’t marry him for love. The real kind or otherwise.
“I’m sure she will.”
“Exactly. We were good examples for her, which is why I don’t believe there’s any way you could have waltzed back into her life after so long and she believes you’re in love.”
He’s not wrong. “Well, that’s exactly what happened. She loves me, and I love her.” As I say those words, it doesn’t feel weird, or like a lie. Maybe because I’m talking about River, and I’ve said those words to her father before. Saying them now feels like an echo from the ghost of the guy I used to be.
Neil silently assesses me with his hawk eyes, then he gives me a haughty glare, lifting his chin so he can stare at me over the bridge of his nose.
“I hope so.” His jaw tenses, and he rests his hands on the arms of his wheelchair. “I hope so for your sake. I’m only going along with this marriage because there isn’t anything I won’t do for my daughter when it’s in my power to give.”
“I suppose that’s the best I can hope for.”
“It’s the best you’re gonna get from me, and God help you if you hurt her.”
Neil doesn’t wait for my answer. He spins his chair around and wheels away, leaving me standing there with the buildup of words I wish I could have said gnawing away at my insides.
That man is a threat to me. A threat I can’t ignore. I need to ensure I don’t give him anything to use against me.
Anything more than his hatred for me being my father’s son.
Thanks, Father.
This is one more thing to add to the very long list of ill-fated shit that comes with being your son.
* * *
Wednesday night descends on me way too fast.
Tonight is the big night when River meets everyone and the world will know she’s my fiancée.
I just want to get everything over with. Whatever happens tonight will guide the decisions of tomorrow.
Tonight will also be the first since Saturday that I’ll see River.
I spoke to her on the phone earlier so we could go over everything in preparation for later. She definitely didn’t disappoint. She remembered everything I gave her in the file. Now we just have to put ourselves on show.
I just got home from a long, long day at work, and we’re supposed to be leaving in a few minutes.Oh, the joy.
I’m already dressed and ready to go, but I need a glass of scotch and a Cohiba to get my head in check.
I head to my office to grab both and savor them like an addict getting a fix while I read over the plans for work for the rest of the week.
Knight and I are working on a new project alongside the Arizona one, so we’re going to be living on a plane for the rest of the month.
Our goals are to up the existing revenue by four million by the end of the year and double it by the end of next. Knight and I have worked together like one brain since we were in our late teens interning at the company.
He has the knack for property development, whereas I turn everything I touch into serious money. Like King Midas, I have the golden touch to create fortunes.
The best thing about what we’re doing now is that it will be all about us, the first leaders of what will be Grayson LLP when Grandfather retires. That’s history in the making. History I want to be a part of.
A knock on my door disturbs my ambiance.
I had one more minute left to myself.
“Who is it?” I gruff.
“It’s me, Jericho.” That’s Millie, my head maid.
