Page 99 of Burn It Down

Cora looks back at me and places her hand on my knee. I cover it with my own and give her a small nod, encouraging her to continue.

Ines gives us a sad smile and looks where our hands are connected. “Who made the announcement?”

“We can’t be sure, but we believe it was made in anticipation for an expected proposal that never came. Perhaps it was meant to be held onto until the time was right, or perhaps it was someone’s wishful thinking after realizing our relationship had run its course. We have several loving family members and friends who are invested in our relationship and our future. Perhaps one of them was trying to rekindle a fire.”

Cora and I decided not to out my father because the details really aren’t the public’s business and there’s no need to add fuel to the fire. The point is, we want as many people as possible to hear fromourmouths that we aren’t together so that my father can’t try any more underhanded stunts to force our union.

“Well, you two certainly seem to be handling the breakup well. What does the future hold for you both?”

“I’ll continue running my business and Jacob,” she turns back to look at me, nothing but love shining in her eyes. “Jacob is moving on with the real love of his life. Dylan is an incredible man with a kind heart and he is the perfect yin to Jacob’s yang, a much better fit for him than I was. I wish them the absolute best and shouldtheyget married, I’ll be on the front row.”

I pick Cora’s hand up, uncross my legs, and lean forward, bringing her knuckles to my lips.

“Thank you,” I whisper. The words are for her, not an audience, and it’s the sincerest I’ve ever been when I said them.

We finish the interview shortly afterwards with a few follow up questions and focus on a fundraiser for breast cancer Cora’s doing in October.

“Just like that,” Ines says. “When that camera is rolling. I want you to deliver itexactlylike that.”

Three hours later, my office door bursts open. I knew he’d have the news on in his office. He has two T.V.s; one stays on the market and one stays on the news.

“What thefuckwere you thinking?” my dad barks, slamming the door shut behind him. I’ve never hated that his keycard gains him unfettered access to my office more than I do right now.

I stay seated because standing would make it seem like I’m squaring up to him and he’s not worthy of that kind of response.

“I was thinking it’s time I take control of my life,” I say calmly even though I feel anything, but. My mind goes to Dylan who I haven’t heard from yet, but I think he was helping with funeral plans for Carl Rogers today. My sweet, selfless, ripped, sexy…okay, Jacob, now is not the time.

“By sabotaging your future?” My father shouts, slamming a fist down onto my desk.

“Bychoosingmy future,” I clarify.

“Well, you justchoseto lose twenty-nine billion dollars because your name is coming off your inheritance. You canforget ownership of this company andI wouldn’t have any more business cards made.”

“How does it feel, father?” I steeple my fingers under my chin and point my gaze at him.

“How doeswhatfeel?” he sneers.

“Having not one, buttwosons who would rather start all over without a penny than stay and continue your legacy? To havetwosons who don’t think your legacy’s worth shit?”

“We’ll see how you feel when I have you blacklisted from finding another job in this industry.”

I laugh. “How powerful do you think you are? You drag my name through the mud and you only hurt yourself because don’t you think people will wonder what terrible things a father has to do to push both of his sons away like you have?”

My intercom sparks to life and Peggy’s voice comes over the line.

“Jacob, Mr. Ryder’s here. I wasn’t sure—”

“Send him in.”

NowI stand. I round the corner of my desk so fast it digs into my hip on my way to the door, but I don’t care. Dylan stops short as soon as his eyes land on my father, but I keep walking until we’re toe to toe.

“Oh, I can come ba—”

I grip his face in my hands and slam my mouth down on his.

“We’re done hiding,” I tell him, ending the kiss a few seconds later. I grab him by the hand and walk back toward my desk, bringing him behind the wooden piece of furniture with me.

“Father, you remember Dylan.”

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