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“Alright, so first things first.” I take a deep breath before continuing. “Mama got fired from work today.”
He’s silent for three seconds.
“Why?” he asks calmly.
“Well, I may have done a terrible job at work and now I don’t have one anymore.”
“You’re not a lawyer anymore?”
“Technically, I still am a lawyer. I just don’t have a workplace anymore,” I reply.
“So, when are you getting another one?” he questions.
“I don’t know, monkey,” I tell him.
“There’s lots of jobs, right? Just go find another one.”
“It’s not that easy, baby. I’m not sure I want to be a lawyer anymore, actually. I don’t think I’m very good at it.”
“You’re the best lawyer I know,” he exclaims.
“And how many lawyers do you know?” I ask him.
“One,” he replies, making me chuckle. “But I know you’re the best.”
“I am pretty good,” I concede. “But not in the ways that really matter.”
“What does that mean?” Noah questions.
“I can’t really explain right now, monkey.”
“Okay. So, what will you do if you aren’t a lawyer anymore?”
He always asks all the right questions. Too bad I don’t have any answers for him right now. I find his eyes in the rearview mirror. They’re so inquisitive and bright. He’s only six years old but sometimes acts older than he is. Other times, he’s a brat, though. I love him more than life itself.
My little baby.
CHAPTER2
MICHAEL
For as long as I can remember, the only thing I’ve ever cared about is my family—making them proud, making sure they can live the best lives possible.
I assumed the role of a caretaker from a young age. It wasn’t like it was thrust on me; I took it on willingly. I saw what my dad did for my mom, for his sister, for us, and I decided I wanted to be just like him. Sacrificing selflessly, working hard to be a man. A successful, well-respected, good man.
I’ve managed to achieve only one of those. I’m successful, there’s no denying that. But respect is hard to gain, and most people don’t really think of me as a good person. I’ve never let that bother me, though. Put on a cool, uncaring façade, and you’re suddenly untouchable to the world. They can’t prick you with thorns if you’re wearing armor.
“Mr. Crane, are you with us?” one of the members of the board of directors questions.
His black suit has been tailored to perfection on his pudgy body. The thick black mustache over his mouth does nothing to hide the menace I can see on his face. He’s a shark; we all are. I give him a cold smirk.
“Of course.”
There are fifteen of them. They all came together to build this company with my dad as the head. They invested, they plotted, and they worked hard to get Crane Industries where it is today. There is no Crane Industries without any of them. And they’re damn proud of that fact.
It never ceases to amaze me how easily they forget how capable I am. I’m the boss, chief executive officer. That’s never going to change.
“Right. You can continue,” I say to the director of marketing.
