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“She loves you. She made it perfectly clear that if I interfered, she’d never see me again.” Thomas laughed. “Like father, like daughter. Huh?”
“She’s stubborn but loving and perhaps the kindest person I’ve ever met. Much like Sophia.”
“I agree with that. You know, I was at Sophia’s funeral. I didn’t let you guys see me of course. But I knew you were hurting. I guess I thought if I could offer comfort somehow by paying my respects, then maybe I wasn’t such an asshole after all.”
It was my turn to be surprised. “I didn’t know that.”
“It was just as well. We weren’t ready to bury the hatchet except for into each other.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I finally took a sip, giving him a nod on his choice.
“I heard about Carter and Travis.”
I took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds. “Fortunately, Carter will live, although he has a long road to recovery, including mentally and emotionally. Unfortunately, he made good on his threat to his father, sending a history of the man’s criminal activities to the authorities. His career is ruined, but I suspect he won’t be arrested.”
“As my last act as administrator of the DEA, I used some influence. There won’t be any charges brought against him,” Thomas said. Then he waited for my reaction.
“Last act?”
“I’m retiring. I’m getting too old for this shit.”
“Hmm… You’re in your forties. You have your entire life ahead of you. What are you going to do?” He’d been older than me by a few years, returning to college after working with my father, and learning the business. So much of his life had changed. I wondered if I should offer him a place in the corporation once again. It was certainly worth a thought.
“I’m not certain yet. Spend some time getting to know my daughters before one of them runs off and marries my best friend.” He lifted his arm, offering his hand.
It was that moment of forgiveness, a moment to remind each other through tragedies and triumphs we would always be family. We’d work on the friendship later. Maybe. If we could both pull our heads out of our asses.
I accepted without hesitation. Then lifted my glass. “To family.”
“To family. Maybe one day Pops will accept my apology.”
“He’s softened in his retirement. You never know. Something else your daughter taught me. Never say never.”
“God, our kids are smarter than us.”
He spoke the truth.
“So, when is the wedding?”
“Not until after Edmee’s wedding, which is in two weeks.”
“That’s right. She’s marrying some asshole. I’d watch him. He might not be good for the family and the business,” Thomas recommended.
“Don’t worry. Zane Northington will remain on my radar. Maybe you can help me watch him.”
It was a small olive branch, but one we both needed. “Yeah, I think I can do that.”
There was something about remembering the past that was no longer damaging, but what struck me as incredible was that for once in as long as I could remember, I was looking forward to the future.
To family.
Friends.
Business.
And continued forgiveness.
All because a beautiful girl had struck a deal with the devil.
