Page 26 of In Charge

“You think I’m just going to walk away?”

“Yes, I do.” This time, I smirked because I knew Dad would do exactly as I demanded because he cared more about the business he created. Nothing was more important to him, not even himself. “There’s nothing there for you anymore. The board has already approved Maya as your replacement. You took care of that months ago. All you have to do is retire.”

“And what about you?” He sipped his scotch and frowned.

“While I understand the business, and could be great at it if I wanted, Maya can do a better job. Plus, I don’t have the heart for it. I’ve no desire to manage other people’s shitty lives. I’ve got my own shit life to deal with. I will never step up as CEO and will not take on a senior VP position, either.”

“You need to do something, Robbie. I can’t have my only son living as a freeloader.” Dad growled out the words. It was the only emotion he’d really shown all morning. “You need to work.”

“I do work, Dad.” I stepped forward. “If you knew anything about me, you’d know I work hard, and I’m good at what I do.”

“Good boy.” Dad’s face softened into a smile. “What do you want to do then?”

“Recommend me to the board of directors.” I smiled.

“The board.” He laughed. “What makes you think you’re qualified to sit on the board? They’d laugh an inexperienced boy like you out of the room.”

“Shows what little you know.” I dropped my smile and stepped closer to the chair. I towered over him and looked down in his eyes. “I’ve served on the board of three different major corporations since earning my degree. One of which I was acting chair up until three months ago when my term ended. I have brought in more money through donations and fundraising events for those boards than any other member in their history. I know people, and I know how to get them behind an idea or a business. I’m good at it and I like it. Mention my name to your board, and I bet you at least half if not all of them know me by name.”

“You’re spouting nonsense, Of course, they know your name. You’re my son.”

“No. Not out there.” I pointed towards the window. “I go by Robbie Thorsten. Tell them that name and see what they say.”

“You didn’t.” Dad gaped.

I laughed. I never told my family—not even my mom—that I used my mother’s maiden name as a professional. I didn’t want anyone to make the connection between me and my piece of shit father, and that’d been an easy way to do it. Especially since my mother gave me both names when I was born. “I did. Maya and I will be waiting for your answer this afternoon in her office. That gives you four hours to sort everything out with the board and prepare your retirement announcement.”

“Anything else?” He growled.

I stared down at him, but he refused to make eye contact. Using my mom’s name had hit him hard, just like I’d hoped it would. But probably not as hard as my next demand. “One more thing.” He shifted his eyes to me and the concern I saw made me smile. “You always said you’d leave your entire fortune to me, and me alone. I don’t want it. You will acknowledge your six daughters and split your fortune equally. You abandoned them in life, but you will share your fortune with them in death.”

I didn’t wait to hear if Dad had anything to add, and I left. All that remained was to see Maya and hope that there would still be an “us” after I came clean about everything.

***

I WATCHED MAYA FROMthe hallway leading to her office. Even though she had a determined look on her face, it was clear she enjoyed her work. I wished I could love work as much as she did. I never took to it with passion and conviction like her. I wasn’t lying to dad when I told him I liked serving on the boards of other corporations, but I didn’t have the same level of passion and dedication as Maya did to her career.

Standing outside her office watching her wasn’t making me feel any better. It just delayed the inevitable. No use putting this off any longer. I took a deep breath and walked the last few feet down the hall to Maya’s office.

I knocked on her door, and she looked up at me with a neutral expression. “Robbie, there you are. I was beginning to worry you weren’t coming in again today.”

I smiled at the way she called me Robbie, but her lack of excitement over seeing me had me a little concerned. “I had some errands to take care of before coming in.”

“I was worried.” She leaned back in her chair, her expression the same. “That’s two days in a row you were late after sharing an intimate moment with me. That’s enough to give any girl a complex.”

“Sorry, trust me. My tardiness wasn’t because of you.” I hadn’t considered how my tardiness could look to her and wondered if I’d screwed things up even more. I gently shut the door behind me and leaned against it. She raised her eyebrows and gave me a faint smile.

“We don’t have time for a repeat of last night,” she said in a playful tone.

“Tempting.” I forced a smile. I stepped forward and sat in the chair across from her desk. I wanted to be close to her, but knew I’d lose my nerve if I touched her. “If you’re still talking to me after this conversation, I’ll gladly take you up on that repeat later tonight.”

“What do you mean if I’m still talking to you?”

“I need to be honest with you about everything.”

Her expression went blank again, and all signs of worry vanished. My stomach churned, leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth.

Come on, man. You can do this.I let out a long, slow exhale. “And I hope you’ll still let me be in your life once you have a full understanding of who I am.”

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