Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
“I was never one of them, Tyler.” One of the janitors, a man named José, who’s been around since I was a kid, appears in the doorway and hesitates. I motion him forward. He’s a quiet guy, was always kind to me when I was young and hanging out at the office, and he’s probably more loyal than the partners that challenged me yesterday. My chin lifts at Gavin. “Go show me how loyal you really are.”
His lips press together, and he heads for the door. He’s not pleased with my challenge, but he needs to know he has to earn my trust at this point.
I rotate to Bella, my hands settling on her arms. “You were perfection.”
“As were you, but you still don’t know how you’re going to deal with the Allen family.”
“Strategically,” I reply. “Trust me, baby. And go talk to your father and brother about us getting married this weekend. And the official ceremony in Italy.”
“I want to talk about Italy with my dad in person. I need to look in his eyes and find out if it brings him joy or pain to have us hold a ceremony in the same place he and my mom did.”
I stroke her hair. “Agreed, but this weekend, Bella. You and me, forever. If you want that, we’ll start looking for a location.”
“You really want to do this now?”
“More than I’ve ever wanted to do anything in my life, but only if you do.”
“After last night, I’m reminded that every day is a blessing. I want the chance to say I do. I’ll go make the calls. You were good, Tyler. You made us all feel like we have strong leadership.” She kisses me and leaves the room.
My gaze lingers on her, and my heart is full in a way I didn’t know a Hawk male could ever feel. I reach for my phone and read the text message that reads: Tyler Hawk, it’s Knox Allen. We never finished our meeting.
I reply to his text with: No, we have not and I have much to say. Eight o’clock tonight. The Wesley Cigar Bar. Just you.
I slide my phone back into my pocket and glance around the empty room to find José working in the corner, messing with a trashcan, and I have a flashback of him giving me a sucker when I was a kid. I walk over to him. “José,” I greet.
He straightens. “Mr. Hawk.”
“Tyler,” I say. “Anyone who put up with me as a kid can call me Tyler.”
He smiles, the skin around his eyes lined deeply, his skin aged and thin. “You were a cute boy.”
“Why haven’t you retired?”
“I like to work.”
I wonder then about how oblivious I have been to all but our partners and my father. And my only goal, which was to prove myself to him. “Did we give you a retirement plan?”
“Yes, of course. You offer me excellent benefits and pay. Your mother made sure of it.”
My mother. Of course, and I think this not because she is a better person than my father but because she’s self-centered enough to want everyone to love her. And yet, it is always fake with her, in ways it will never be with Bella. “Then why are you still working?” I ask.
“My wife, Melissa, died a few years ago. I don’t think you ever met her, but I hate being home alone without her.”
I draw in a breath, aware that Bella’s father suffers much in the same way. All too aware that I thought I would as well last night. “Bella’s father—”
“Yes. She told me. One night working late, she was crying. She hung up with her father, and it was the anniversary of her mother’s death. You know, she went to your office that night.”
I’m stunned by this revelation. “She did? And what did I do?”
His lips curved. “You talked with her for hours, I do believe. I knew that night, you are not your father.” He waves a hand around the room. “Now everyone knows.” He studies me a moment and adds, “Bella is a beautiful girl and very smart.” He taps his temple. “Hold onto her. She will make you a better man.”
“She already has.”
He winks. “Yes. She has. Now I better get back to work. I wouldn’t want to make the new boss mad.”
He reaches down and starts tying up a trash bag the way I’m going to tie up the loose ends with the Allen family. And I have until eight o’clock to figure out how. I start walking toward the door but before I exit, I pause and say, “Thank you, José.”
“Wait, Tyler.”
I rotate to face him. “Forgive me if I overstep—and truly I almost let you leave without saying this—but I know you’re looking for a secret your father kept locked away.”