Brazen Bossman: A Hero Club Novel, стр. 17
“But it’s not impossible, either, obviously. Companies are sold every single day.”
“And what you’re asking is to sell a very large, very successful company, in what could be considered the worst economy in recent memory, out from underneath your ailing father without his explicit permission.”
She words herself in such a way to make it a dig at my character. I’m not naïve enough to think otherwise. She’s not wrong, though, that’s the kicker of it all. I haven’t told them anything about my intentions with this company for a couple of reasons. One, my father couldn’t possibly understand, not with his state of mind deteriorating more and more every single day. Two, my mom would try to stop me, and I can’t put that added stress on her. It’s better if I just do it, and deal with the consequences. At the end of the day, this is what is best.
“I’m his power of attorney, and I’ve been appointed CEO and owner of this company. The transition of power paperwork was signed and notarized. I’m free to do as I want with this place, right or wrong?”
She sighs heavily and takes a large gulp of her drink. “Right.”
“Just say whatever it is that you need to say.”
Gabrielle has been in my life for as long as I can remember. Her parents were very close with mine, so we spent a lot of time together. There was never anything more than a pure, sibling type of relationship between us, even though many people like to claim otherwise, because apparently a man and woman cannot be friends without wanting to see each other naked.
“You know I, in no way, think what you are doing is a good idea. Your father always wanted you to take over when he wasn’t able and to continue the legacy. You’ve been in control for less than a year and you’re already selling. That looks really shitty on multiple levels, Nathanial.”
“And you know I have many reasons, the smallest of which is the last thing I want to do with the remainder of my life is work in publishing, Gabs. My father isn’t going to be able to come back to work, ever. That decision has already been made by him, and now that this shit is getting worse, it would have been made for him regardless. I plan on giving them one-hundred-percent of the profit left after selling and paying off any creditors or debt. They will live more than comfortably the rest of their lives, and I’ll get to go back to architecture and real estate. We will all live happily ever after.”
She releases a heavy sigh because she knows that nothing she can say right now will make me change my mind. Lennox Publishing needs to be in the hands of someone who will appreciate it and do what needs to be done to keep it moving upward.
And that person isn’t me.
Chapter 6
Piper
The smell of pasta sauce simmering on the stove soothes my racing mind, and intense stress level, the moment I cross the threshold into my mother’s apartment. I’ve been a bundle of many different emotions since the almost kiss in Nathanial’s office on Monday. We have been expertly avoiding each other since then. If I’m being honest with myself, I would have let him fuck me right there where I stood if he hadn’t stepped away.
Hell, I think I even wanted that… desperately.
He rejected me so quickly that my head was spinning, but even he couldn’t deny he wanted it too. I could feel it.
God, this is so wrong to even think about.
“Piper? Is that you?” my mom shouts from the kitchen.
“It’s me, Ma. I’m here.”
“Take your shoes off. I just waxed the hardwood.”
I roll my eyes with a smile. “Yes ma’am.” She’s always been a stickler for a spotless floor. “Are Oliver and Benj here yet?” I ask as I toe off my heels.
“Present,” they both shout from somewhere inside the apartment, in complete unison. It’s actually kind of frightening.
“You two are on some The Shining twins shit.”
My mother has lived in this apartment since the day I was born, though she has slowly renovated it ever since my father passed away. I think she just couldn’t take the memories anymore. Especially after his ugly truths came to light.
Where the walls were once beige, they are now a crisp, sleek gray with white accents and fresh flowers all about. It makes her happy, and that makes me even happier.
Leaving my shoes in the foyer, I cross through the entryway, passing by the living room where my brothers are currently perched on the gray, leather sectional sofa, watching whichever sporting event is tickling their fancy at the moment. My mother, of course, is in the kitchen. That is her happy place.
“Hi, Ma.” I stop at her side and bend a little so I can rest my head on her shoulder.
“Are you all right, sweetie?” she asks.
How can she tell so quickly?
“Is it okay if I say I don’t want to talk about it?”
“Of course. I know you’ll come to me when you need to.” She lifts a spoon up to my lips. “Taste.”
There isn’t an ounce of hesitation before I happily taste the delicious sauce she’s offering. It’s salty, sweet, and fresh.
“Oh wow. What did you do? That’s amazing.”
“Added a bit of honey.” She bounces a little bit, clearly proud of herself. “I thought, what the hell? Honey makes everything better.”
“That was a great call. We need to modify the sauce at the restaurant. It’ll make a killing.”
She doesn’t say anything to that, she just places the lid back on the pot and removes her apron, tossing it to the counter.
“Go grab your brothers and meet me at the dining room table. We all need to have a conversation about something.” She squeezes my arm.
“Is everything okay?”
“It will be.”
***
The four of us are seated at the dining room table in silence as my mother