Page 122 of Heartfelt Pain
“It’ll be sad to see you go, you know,” Dimitri says.
“I’ll ask Roma to invite you to brunch.”
He wraps his knuckles on the table before pushing out of his chair. “So the Stuarts, huh?”
There it is. The man looking for information.
“There’s also a business man from Shanghai.” He made a surprisingly high bid.
“Shanghai?” Dimitri pushes his chair in, knowing better than to leave Fujimori’s a mess.
“There’s still a few days.” My elbows dig into the table as I lean forward. “We’ll see what happens.”
Dimitri hums under his breath, his hat hanging low over his forehead. He doesn’t agree with what’s happening but what can he do? He’s got no say in whether I retire or not.
He leaves with a nod, tipping his head respectfully to Jane on his way out.
Low murmurs of conversation around us are interrupted by Trevino’s phone.
Cain Murray is calling him.
He blinks down at the screen.
“Take it.”
His head snaps up.
“Go on.” I nod at the ringing phone. “Let’s see what the Irish are thinking.”
CHAPTER 29
Roma
Dad: Family Meeting Tonight.
Iwanted to say no. But Ren’s not going to be around anyway since she’s finalizing the details of selling her business. She kissed my cheek before she left and told me I’d be okay. As if I’m the one facing a more difficult meeting.
I’ve pressed her about why she’s selling. I don’t want to be the reason she lets go of something she loves. Just like she doesn’t want to be the reason I walk away from my family business.
Except I’m finally admitting my goals and dreams. I’ve held back, trying to help Max and Elijah. And deep down there’s a people pleaser in me that’s deferred to Dad.
Selling Aunt Macy's business is different. It doesn’t make sense. I know Ben and her friends are worried about how much she works but they never entertained the idea she’d quit altogether.
I knew she wouldn’t let me come to the final meeting but that didn’t mean I wanted to be available for a family meeting.
The first worrying signs came when Maxcalled me about it. He’s the son continually in our parent's business so if he didn’t know, I certainly didn’t know.
Worse—Elijah didn’t know either. And that bastard knows everything.
When I pull up to the house, Grandma’s getting out of her hired car as well. Dima opens the door for her and I spot Russ and Max.
“Where’s Sailor?” Grandma demands. She smacks a kiss on all our cheeks.
“We left her with a babysitter.” Russ pulls her cardigan tighter despite entering the house. Without the fuss of a party, she and Max hardly show up here.
And it’s unusually hushed.
We wander into the kitchen out of habit.
