Page 132 of Shattered Melodies

I opened my mouth to give him some bullshit corporate answer, but something in his gaze made me pause. Fuck it, I thought. What did I have to lose?

“Honestly?” I sighed, slumping back in my chair. “I’m here because it’s the last thing I have to do before I can walk away from all of this. From my father, from the company, from this whole charade.”

Leon nodded, a knowing glint in his eye. “And what is it you really want, Liam?”

Images flashed through my mind - the ranch, the fundraiser, Caleb’s smile. I felt a lump form in my throat. “I want… I want to go home. To the place where I can actually be myself. To the person who sees me for who I really am.”

“Caleb, right?” Leon said casually, taking a sip of his wine.

My head snapped up, eyes wide. “How the hell do you know about Caleb?”

Leon chuckled, setting down his glass. “I make it a point to know everything about the people I do business with, Liam. Even the parts they try to keep hidden.”

I felt a surge of anger. “So what, you had me investigated? Dug into my personal life?”

“Of course,” Leon replied, not even having the decency to look ashamed. “It’s just good business. But Liam, I’m not your enemy here. In fact, I’d like to help you.”

I snorted, crossing my arms. “Help me? How exactly do you plan to do that?”

Leon leaned back, a sly smile playing on his lips. “What if I told you I could buy your father’s company for more than its net worth? Enough that you could walk away, completely free of him, and go build that life you want with Caleb?”

My jaw dropped. I stared at him, trying to process what he was saying. “You… what? Why would you do that?”

“Let’s just say I have my reasons,” Leon said cryptically. “Think of it as an investment in your future. A future where you’re actually happy.”

My mind was reeling. This was insane, right? It had to be some kind of trick. But god, the thought of being free, of never having to deal with my father’s bullshit again…

“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted, my voice hoarse.

Leon stood up, straightening his already impeccable suit. “You don’t have to say anything right now. Think about it. When you’re ready, I’ll take care of everything.”

As he walked me to the door, I couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you doing this? Really?”

Leon paused, his hand on the doorknob. For a moment, I saw something flicker in his eyes - something almost… sad. “Let’s just say I know what it’s like to live a life that isn’t truly yours. And I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

I left Leon’s office in a daze, my mind spinning. The busy New York streets seemed muted, distant, like I was watching everything through a fog. I needed a drink. Badly.

I found myself in a nearby bar, nursing a whiskey and trying to make sense of what had just happened. My phone buzzed - a text from Caleb.

“Miss you. How’s it going?”

I stared at the screen, my throat tight. God, I wanted to tell him everything. About Leon’s offer, about the possibility of finally being free. But I couldn’t. Not yet. Not until I figured out what the hell I was going to do.

“Miss you too,” I typed back.

I downed the rest of my whiskey, wincing at the burn. What was I going to do? Leon’s offer was tempting - so fucking tempting. But could I trust him? And even if I could, was it right to essentially sell out my family’s company?

“Fuck,” I muttered, signaling the bartender for another drink. This was exactly why I’d left New York in the first place. Everything here was a goddamn mess of ulterior motives and backroom deals.

My phone buzzed again. Jimmy this time.

“How’d the meeting go?”

I let out a hollow laugh. How the hell was I supposed to answer that?

“It’s a long story,” I texted back. “Can you come to my hotel? I need to talk to someone about this, and I trust you not to bullshit me.”

Jimmy’s reply was almost immediate. “On my way. Hang in there, boss.”

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