Page 3 of Knight

“We’ve never been separated that long since we started dating, and I’m going to miss her terribly.” I smile at my son’s happiness with his new bride.

“Newlyweds. I completely get it. Please go. Have fun. You can reach out to Abelson after the weekend, so you can get home to Kylie now. I didn’t realize how late it was. Abelson can sweat it out for a few more days. Thinking we have minimal interest can only work in our favor during negotiations. I want you to negotiate this deal on your own. Do what you think is best for us.”

Payton smiles. I’ve never given him this much autonomy. “Thanks, Dad. Have a good night yourself.”

He stands to leave, but before he exits, he turns back to me. “By the way, I think there’s an Aerosmith cover band on at Cover Me tonight if you want to check it out. I know your old ass loves that old ass band.”

“Blasphemy. Aerosmith is timeless. And I’m forty-nine and can out bench press your youthful thirty-year-old body, so I don’t want to hear the wordold. I’m hardly old.”

I smugly smile at him and he laughs. “Thanks for the tip. Maybe I’ll stop by.”

Donna pops her head in as Payton leaves. “Will that be all for the evening, Mr. Knight?”

Poor Donna. I didn’t realize that she was still in the office. I’m about to let her know she can leave when the phone rings. Donna runs to my desk to grab it.

“Knight Investments, how may I direct your call?” She listens. “Oh, hello, Mr. Clarrett.” Donna has an evil genius look on her face. “Well, I think Mr. Knight may be in the restroom powdering his nose, but I’ll check to see if he’s available.”

I look at Donna and smirk. She’s a handful. I can hear him screamingat her to go and get me. She and I both silently laugh. What an asshole this guy is.

I nod my head, indicating that I’ll talk to him.

“Yes, Mr. Clarrett. He’s done with his manicure so I suppose he can speak with you now.” I laugh again.

I put it on speaker because I know that Donna will enjoy this. “Hey, Bryan. It’s always lovely to hear from you. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“You are a God damn motherfucker, Knight.”

“Always the epitome of class, Clarrett.”

“Cut your bullshit. There’s a yet-to-be-named group buying up all of the properties around my Megaplex in North Philly. I know it’s you and your cronies. What the fuck are playing at, Knight? I’m hearing all kinds of rumors. It better not be what I think it is. I’ve got everything tied up in this damn project. I don’t need your meddling games. I will fucking end you.”

“Hmm. I don’t know anything about it, buddy. I’m happy to ask around though. You know, you should really better vet surrounding properties before you make that type of significant investment. If you worked hard and weren’t handed your job by your daddy, as his second choice, of course, you would probably know that.”

I love messing with this guy. He’s such an easy target, and no one is more deserving.

“Fuck you, Knight. I know it’s you. Don’t push me. I’ll push harder. You’ll pull out of that project if you know what’s good for you. You don’t want me as an enemy. I play dirty.”

Nope, I don’t care. He knows he’s not rattling me, so he changes tactics.

“By the way, I saw your ex-wife the other night working the singles scene. She’s looking mighty fine. No wonder she left your sorry ass. She was draped all over me. Couldn’t get enough. She’s probably never been with a real man.” I can’t help but laugh at that. She would never have interest in him.

“Melissa doesn’t do bottom dwellers, Clarrett, but she’s a free agent and can do what she wants. It doesn’t bother me one bit.”

Okay, it does bother me a little, but only because he’s the biggest douche bag in town, and I don’t want to see her mixed up with him. I definitely don’t want her to be on his target list.

“Stay away from my shit, Knight. I’m telling you, don’t push me. You won’t like what happens.” Without another word, he hangs up.

I turn to Donna with a smile. “Powder my nose? Manicure? Really?”

She shrugs and smirks at me. “It was the first mundane thing I could think of.”

I adore Donna. She’s become a close friend to me in the twenty-five years she’s worked for me. I lost my own mother to breast cancer when I was a teenager, and at times, Donna acts as a bit of a de facto mother to me. I’m so thankful to have her in my life. Professionally, she’s the best assistant around. I don’t think I could run my company at this point without her. Personally, she calls me on my shit and sets me straight when I need it. She looks out for me too, sometimes a little too much.

As she’s walking out, she throws in, “Why don’t you head to that bar Payton mentioned? Maybe you’ll find a nice lady.” She’s always meddling in my love life. I know she desperately wants me to find someone.

I roll my eyes. “I’m on a break from dating. It’s more trouble than it’s worth. The women I seem to meet are only interested in my money and what I can do for them. There’s no sincerity. I’m sick of all the lies and I’m really sick of all the games. Donna, I hate to break it to you, but I may just not have been destined to have love in my life. Besides the boys, of course.” My children are the most important people in the world to me. “I’m at peace with that. I need you to be too.”

Donna looks at me like I’m a wounded puppy, with pity in her eyes. “You know, everyone gets a great love of their life. You’re just going to find yours a little later than most. But I know it will happen, Jackson. You’re a wonderful man. You’re a loving man. You have so much love to give to the right woman. You just need to find her. She’s out there. I know it will happen for you. I have faith.”

---