Page 14 of Lush

“You’re staying.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Who’s stopping me?”

“Don’t test me, boy,” Dad said, cool as ever, heading straight for the bar cart in the room.

“Where’s Jennie to drop off this little message, like always?” I shot back. “Trying to play father of the year again?”

I communicated with my dad as little as possible. Fuck him. I ensured the success of this company for the past six years without his approval.

“I didn’t spend decades building this company just to watch you burn it down because you’re too proud to listen to advice of people like Bernard.”

“Advice?” I let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You mean sabotage. Don’t think I don’t see through your henchmen trying to pull strings.”

“If I were pulling strings, you wouldn’t be sitting in that chair.”

“I took over because you bailed,” I snapped. “Don’t pretend you gave me control because you had some big plan. I’m cleaning up thirty-year-old messes.”

Dad’s fingers tightened around the liquor bottle.

“Think you can do better?” I continued. “Then do it. Take the title back. Hell, I’ll clear out my desk today.”

“You think I wanted to step down, boy?” His voice wasdangerous. “Someone had to fall on the sword after what youdid, and I took the hit so this family could keep its name and Yvonne King didn’t swoop in on us!”

I barked a laugh, bitter and sharp. “Oh, you’re a martyr now? Spare me the sob fucking story.”

Dad walked over, two glasses in hand, sliding one across the table.

“There’s a party tonight. You’ll be there.”

“Why?” I used to admire him—now I saw the monster beneath the mask. “I run the company, make us money. You stay out of my way. That’s the deal.”

“I’ve watched your absurd escapades for the last six years, Reese. Yes, you made us some money, but what about the other bullshit you’ve done?” He took a sip of his drink. “Aspen for the X Games, skydiving in Sydney, traipsing through the Amazon. For what?”

“Expanding our global presence,”I shot back.

Dad sneered. “Did you know we have a hostile fucking takeover at our door?”

That made me pause.

“What are you talking about? We have more money than we can wipe our asses with.”

“Your sister, chasing after deals she can’t close, and you—” He paused. “You’re no Conrad.”

Conrad.Always fucking Conrad.

Conrad, the homecoming king, prom king, captain of the football team. Not like me. He could shake hands with investors, charm their wives, and still make it to Sunday dinner without a hair out of place.

He made it look so easy. Too easy.

“We can’t afford another setback.” Dad’s tone was quieter but no less stern.

I reached for the cigarettes, giving in to the need.

“Those are bad for your health.”

“You’re bad for my health,” I deadpanned, lighting the cigarette and taking another slow drag.

His scowl deepened. “Times are changing, Reese. The town’s changing. We’re being pushed out, and you don’t even see it.”

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