Page 42 of Handling the CEO

“There you go with those fancy words.” My girlfriend may be doing her best to make fun of me, but she secretly cherishes it. I may or may not be using more and more of them just to get scolded and see that cute pout on her face.

Conversation flows freely after that, from DJs progress with her software—she thinks her staff will finish the reconstruction in a week or two so we can start testing the predictions against real world flights—to Tae’s stories about her volunteering with the local wildlife charity.

I make everyone laugh by recounting how I ended up knocked out by DJ during our WII Boxing session last night, my actual training was no match for her angry little punches at thin air.

The best part of the day is the small touches I get from my Avril. She either holds my hand or her leg rubs against mine. Putting my arm around her chair, and she leans against me when her sister tells an amusing story about her son, the coconutty smell of her shampoo delighting me as always.

I automatically kiss the side of her head before I collect the olives she hates from her salad and move them onto my plate without asking. It’s then when I spot her brother looking at me and giving me a chin up ‘OK, man’ sign and as I raise my glass to him, and I feel like I triumphed. I realize also how at ease I am with DJ’s family. I can... just be… with them and Tae.

Just as Laura tells us of her latest submission to the Miami interior design awards, a grating voice interrupts our meal and, as I turn to the entrance, my mood sours.

“Here you are, Tabitha!” Miranda marches into the restaurant straight to our table, clearly enraged and seeming a bit out of control.

“Tae?” I ask, confused as the Jara family watches, perplexed as well.

“Uh, sorry Jon.” My sister looks down, adding, “I didn’t tell her I was with you. I lied and said I was at the movies because I wasn't allowed to see you.”

“Oh Tae.” I sigh, and I am about to apologize to Miranda—of all things—when my ex-stepmother grips my sister’s arm pulling her up and a gasp of pain from my younger sister makes both DJ and I jump out of our chairs.

“Hey, you can’t just grab her like that,” I gnarl at her. “I think you and I need a serious conversation right now!” I then turn to DJ. “Mind staying with Tabitha for a bit?”

“Not at all. Go ahead. Miranda, you better let her go right now or I will release the video from this restaurant directly to TMZ, let’s see how you like that celebrity spotting.” My girlfriend posts herself between them, peeling her fingers from my sisters’ arms and pulling Tabitha behind her, staring up at a stunned Miranda, ready to take her down if necessary.

“I am coming with you,” Marcus rises. “You know, as your lawyer.”

I nod, surprised at his offer of help, but I recognize it won’t hurt having a witness with me, especially one which can stop me from saying anything I shouldn’t. I gaze at Dahlia, who gives me a confident smile, expressing without words that she will take care of business on her end, and I can just go handle the ‘mother of the year’.

“Lawyer?” The evil witch is appalled as we step out into the foyer. “Now your attorney knows your littleputagirlfriend as well?”

Marcus chokes on his words and is about to move toward her, but I stop him shaking my head at him and whisper, “Not worth it,” thinking how half my time is spent stopping Jara’s siblings from decking my enemy. I am not upset at all, though my dad's widow should know better than to start her conversations with a racial insult.

“You may want to reconsider what you suggest about the man’s sister or my girlfriend,” I say in my threatening CEO low voice. I observe Miranda twitching, more insecure than when she stormed in. “Now, I thought we could wait until Tuesday, but you should receive papers tomorrow requesting a change of custody arrangements. I agree Tae shouldn’t have lied about where she was going, but I won’t tolerate you putting your hand on her. With so many witnesses, I would love to see how you will wiggle your way out of this one.”

“What?”

“Yes, Miranda, you are done. I will also show your husband how you do business with spies in my company. We have photos and audio of what you did with Anya, so I recommend you go home and start packing a bag for Tabitha. She will be coming with me tonight and we will stop by tomorrow to pick up some of her clothes until Ramsay and I can agree on a better plan.” The words escape my mouth, but having formed them, I recognize that is what I needed to say for a while.

Even before the luncheon, I knew in my bones I had to take care of my family and that the Lexingtons are not the best fit for Tae. She doesn’t realize that being ignored, treated as an accessory and being raised by nannies isn’t normal, but after seeing how much worse it actually is in the past few weeks, I will go to the mat for her so she can have a better adolescence.

“You have no right to take her!” she shrieks. “I have custody!”

“Lady, she’s either going with Jon or I am calling the police and Child Protective Services. I personally know a judge who will not just hand Tae over to him, but will supply you with a nice orange jumpsuit. It works with your skin tone, I agree, but I don’t think you want that.” DJ’s brother next to me shuts her up, making me extremely appreciative he came with me.

I can see her seething, about to throw a giant tantrum, but then she looks behind me at DJ and Tae inside and smirks, giving me the chills.

“Fine Jon, take her tonight, but mark my words, you won’t have her for long. I wouldn’t get too attached to your girlfriend either, I will make sure neither of you gets what you want.” Miranda gives us a middle finger then turns and walks out, without even saying goodbye to her daughter. I can’t believe she just left, leaving us with half-assed threats.

“Shit… what was that about? She backed away too quickly,” Marcus voices my thoughts.

“No idea, man. She must have something else up her sleeve, but I do not know what. Come, I need another drink before I get the girls home in a taxi.”

“I will join you, and I suspect my sisters will down several as well. So—are you ready to raise a teenager?” He grins at me.

“Not in the slightest, but she is my sister. I have to take care of her,” I answer honestly, the reality of what I am about to do hitting me straight in the face. I always wanted to spend more time with Tae, but I need to step up fully now. Fuck—I will get it done for her. I just hope I don’t mess it up.

“That’s why I now can see how you are good for Dahlia. If you love and take care of your family, you will care for my sister as well. Even though it scares the shit out of you.” He man-pats my back and returns to our table, leaving me staring after him.

I am indeed scared shitless, as Marcus adequately put it. But I have my sister now with me instead of worrying about her with Miranda and I also have DJ.

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