Page 3 of A Kiss at Midnight

“I need you to come home and take care of Justin. I have cancer, and I only have two months left.”

The pain of those words still sits heavy in my chest, just as they will for the rest of my life. Of course I went home immediately, and I’ve never regretted that decision. Bills piled up, money ran out, and Justin and I lost it all. Our home. Our security. Our mother. And now... we’ve lost each other. I want to give up, and if I was the only one I had to think about, I’m afraid that’s what I’d do.

I don’t have any energy left to go on. Wanting to stop feeling for at least a few hours, I rise and move through the streets back to my tiny apartment in a crappy part of town. I gather myself together and finally arrive, then throw myself on the floor because I don’t have a bed. I need sleep. For a few short hours I can dream, and with luck my dreams will be filled with images far more pleasant than the reality my life has now become.

Chapter Review

Chapter Two

Blake

Looking out my window,I take a deep breath. This meeting isn’t going the way I was hoping it would. What’s wrong with people that they think a man’s worth is measured in his family? My brothers and I have been successful for a very long time, and we don’t need women on our arms or children in our homes to make us trustworthy. Apparently, this guy doesn’t feel the same.

I turn around and face Stanley Sheppard, CEO of Sheppard Malls, the largest conglomerate of high-end malls that are quickly expanding all over the United States and Canada. These malls cater to the wealthy, and I want a modified version to be built within the newest and largest housing division I’ve ever created... well, that we’ve ever created. My brothers and I are equal partners.

This newest development covers two square miles and will be its own contained community. Those living in this development won’t have to leave for any of their needs to be met. This mall is the cherry on the top of a big fat whipped cream pile. I’m not giving up, and my expression doesn’t show a morsel of the conflict I’m feeling as I face him.

“Stanley, I’m glad you’ve come in to talk about this,” I tell him.

He’s wearing a smirk, not giving away what he’s thinking. All of us in the business world wear the same expression. It’s never wise to give away what we’re thinking, not when millions, and sometimes billions, of dollars are involved.

“I’d really like to be business partners, Blake, but I have reservations,” Stanley says. My expression doesn’t change.

“Astor Corp has been incredibly successful for ten years, Stanley. I don’t need to sell our product anymore. I’d love to partner with you on this project as it will add several hundred million to both of our bank accounts, which is never a bad thing. I also understand if it doesn’t work out. There are times when it’s better to walk away.”

I’m not calling this man’s bluff. I mean these words. I never play chicken. I’m all in or I’m out. I’m not ready to walk away from working with this man as it’s something that fits perfectly with my vision... but I won’t beg him to be partners. I don’t beg anyone.

“Our corporation hasn’t done too badly,” Stanley says, making me laugh.

“We both know there isn’t a venture out there with your name on it that isn’t a success,” I tell him.

He finally smiles and lets out a chuckle. “Okay, I’ll admit the same goes for you and your brothers.”

“I guess we’re all just that damn good,” I say.

At first glance the two of us might come off as smug and self-satisfied, and we might look at multimillion-dollar investments the same way an average person looks at depositing twenty dollars into their savings account, but that’s because we’re shrewd and our self-assessments are based on solid fact, not ego. We know how to make money, and we know we’ll always keep making more.

Only a select few rule the world. When I was a young boy, my parents’ lives ended right before my eyes; I decided right then I’d never be vulnerable again. I’ve kept that promise. I’ll never be one of the weak, never be easy prey in a world packed with predators. No one will ever sneak up on me and catch me unaware.

“Let’s have a drink, and you can fill me in on what you’ve been doing with this project,” Stanley says.

“That sounds a lot better than sitting in this office,” I say. Some of the best deals are made in a bar with good whiskey and a cigar. The two of us move toward the conference room doors of Astor Corp.

I’ve never been a man who likes to leave things left unsaid. We have one elephant in the room so we might as well get it out of the way.

“Why is it so important to you that your business partners be married?” I ask as we walk. I’ve known this man a very long time, and he’s certainly changed over the years.

He chuckles. “I love how direct you are, Blake.” He pauses for a minute, and I let him gather his thoughts. “Happily married men have more to lose, put more value in their work and the outcomes, and use compassion where others might cut corners. I was an asshole before I married, and I’m not proud of some of the decisions I made. I tend to work with others who have been humbled by marriage and families now that I know the power of a healthy relationship.”

I laugh. “A woman doesn’t make us into a new person,” I assure him.

“I disagree. I know for a fact that my wife has changed my life and made me a better man.”

“Oh, please,please, for the love of all that’s holy, do not continue speaking like some cheesy romance-book hero,” I say, horrified to hear these words coming from a man who was once one of the most ruthless bachelors I ever met. “I remember the days when you thought no woman was true, no woman could ever be trusted. Marriage may have ruined you. There’s a term for it, you know...”

“There was a time, Blake, when I would’ve thrown you up against a wall for thinking I was the slightest bit weak.”

“Ha! You would’ve tried,” I say. Neither of us are remotely upset by this exchange. It’s all friendly banter... though it still might end this deal before it has a chance to begin.

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