Sebastian

“Hey,” I say as my half-brother, Gavin, walks out of Adam’s outer office door.

He just sneers and brushes past me.

“That bad, huh?”

“What do you care?” He turns and buttons his suit jacket, his hazel green eyes drilling into me. “You’re ditching your family on a day when tragedy should unite us, and yet he’s choosing you over me.”

Mina must’ve told Gavin I’m not attending the funeral. Guess I’m back on the black list. It always was my best color. “It’s just lunch, Gavin.”

He stiffens. “It’s never just lunch with him. As for your wedding, whatever day it gets rescheduled, I’ve got to work.”

My hand curls tight around my car keys in my pocket. “That hurts Talia. She doesn’t deserve that.”

“You didn’t think twice about hurting Mina. I don’t know if you thrive on burning relationships to the ground or what, but if you fuck with our father the way you just did our sister, I’ll cut you off at the knees.”

Narrowing my gaze on him, I turn and walk into the office, shutting the door. If I don’t, I’ll put my fist through his face.

Adam’s on the phone when I enter his office. He nods to acknowledge my presence and gestures for me to sit in the leather chair in front of his desk.

He’s talking in a fast clip, negotiating the terms of a development agreement. As I stare at his graying dark hair, it occurs to me that Talia’s right. I do look like my father. I’m seeing a version of myself thirty years in the future. Except I wouldn’t be this calm if I’d just lost Talia. I’d be out there wreaking havoc and breaking any laws necessary to ferret out the bastard who took my wife from me. He would pay in the most painful way possible.

But my father and I definitely both use work to keep us sane. Considering my personal feelings for Isabel, I decide it’s best to keep the subject on business. The moment he hangs up, I lift my chin toward the paperwork he’s putting away. “Sounds like you got what you wanted.”

“I’m not in a mood to be messed with.”

My eyebrow hikes. “Is that a warning for how this meeting is going to go?”

Adam Blake’s expression remains serious as he comes around to rest his thigh on his desk in front of me. “I can’t imagine anyone intentionally wanting to harm us. What did your police contact say caused the explosion?”

“Unfortunately it was intentional. Someone planted a bomb on the limo. The only way something that small could’ve caused the explosion the way it did was if it was put right on the gas tank flap.”

My father’s eyes mist over and he glances away, clearing his throat. “Do they have any leads?”

“None that I’m aware of yet, but we’re also working the case. I’ll let you know as soon as something develops.”

“Definitely keep me in the loop. While you were on your way over here, Den asked to schedule a meeting after ours. He wants me to meet an old MI6 colleague of his who’s here in town. He’s considering moving to New York.”

“If he’s looking for a job, it’s probably a good idea to expand your security team, especially if the man is anywhere close to Den’s caliber.”

“If Den recommends him, I’ll definitely meet him, but now that it’s just me…” Adam shrugs. “One guard is enough. But if I feel good about him, I might send the man your way. Are you looking to expand your team some more?”

“Our team has worked, because I’ve hand picked the men based on working together on past jobs.”

“Understood. I’ll only let you know if he impresses the hell out of me.” Adam runs his hand down his tie. “Since I have that meeting right be hind this, are you okay to eat here? Ms. Shaw has ordered sandwiches for us.”

“Are you going to admit that you can’t work through all your grief? You should take some time off.”

“You mean like you’re taking some time off by not attending the funeral?”

When I open my mouth to speak, he sighs and shakes his head. “I’m still coming down from my aggressive negotiator mode. I don’t expect you to be there, Sebastian.”

I’m so stunned, I can’t respond for a couple seconds. “You don’t?”

“No, I truly don’t.” Adam folds his hands together, resting them on his thigh. “I know Isabel wasn’t the kindest to you when you first came to live with us, and that’s on me that I didn’t correct her attitude years ago.” I start to speak, but he shakes his head. “I can’t take that past back, but I can respect your decision about the funeral.”

I rest my right ankle over my knee and dip my head, appreciating his understanding. “Are you going to tell me what this meeting is about?”

“Right.” Adam stands, then moves around to sit behind his desk.

Ms. Shaw, an older woman who guards him like a dragon, knocks and walks in with two white bags, handing each of us one. “Your lunch is a chicken sandwich on freshly made buns and kettle chips from The Bistro.”

My father unwraps his sandwich from the white waxy paper and takes a bite. Rumbling his approval, he grabs a folder and slides it across the desk toward me.

“What’s this?” I swallow the bite of soft hoagie bread and open the folder. A couple seconds later, I jerk my gaze to his.

“I want you to take some time to think about it, Sebastian.”

I glance back down at the succession plan he’s outlined. It shows me taking over as President and CEO of Blake Industries when he retires in three years time. Gavin is listed as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Damien is listed as Senior Vice President and head of Sales and Business Development. All four of the Blake siblings will have equal shares in the company.

Adam’s expression is hopeful. “Damien is happiest in a role where he can get out there and schmooze. Mina has mentioned wanting to go back to work once Josi is ready for preschool. When she’s ready to come back she’ll work in tandem with the marketing director and move up as she learns the business. She has a great eye for ways to expand our social media presence and other ad opportunities. I’d like you to start working with me as soon as possible consulting on projects for now, Sebastian. Then you can transition over time.”

I close the folder and set it back on his desk, then take another bite of the chicken. I chew slowly, then finally speak. “It looks like you’ve got it all worked out, but as I’ve told you, I have my own business to run.”

Adam steeples his fingers and tilts his head. “I think BLACK Security would make a fantastic addition to the company’s portfolio. We need to beef up our own internal security anyway. It’s way overdue. You’ll get top dollar for your company. That’s how much I want you in this role, Sebastian.”

“Why me?” I rub my chin and hold his gaze. “Gavin has worked with the company since he graduated college. He has always assumed he would succeed you. Why change the players?”

My father’s blue gaze sharpens. “You think I didn’t know you were behind the purchase of our Hamptons home? I knew, Sebastian. I also know what’s going on with your company. I’ve kept tabs on you since you left the Navy. I watched you start your business from nothing, and not only did you make it work, but you expanded it and managed to significantly increase your bottom line. Very impressive.”

He picks his sandwich back up but doesn’t take a bite of the hoagie. “Your employees’ loyalty is the best I’ve ever seen. Yes, I’m sure some of that has to do with serving together, but there’s so much more to leading people than just having past ties. Being a good leader can’t be learned. It’s ingrained. You have all the qualities I want in a CEO for Blake Industries. I’m damned lucky you also happen to be my son.”

It hits me why he’s doing this now. My father knew Isabel would flip out if he made this announcement while she was alive. The document in that folder was drafted by his finance and legal teams months ago, yet he didn’t tell anyone. Until now. Isabel’s death didn’t cause him to decide on this, but it definitely accelerated his plan to disclose it now.

“You need to give Gavin a chance to prove himself.” When my father frowns at my suggestion, I hold my hand up. “For all you know, Gavin’s been reining in his leadership skills because you were at the helm. I recommend that you start including him in more top-level aspects of the business. Promote him to Chief Operating Officer now. Not only will he feel recognized for the contributions he has made to the company, but the new job will also expose him to how you run a business on all levels. You might be surprised at his ideas if you give him a role with the authority to affect changes he thinks will benefit the company. If you do it while you’re still around and very active in day-to-day business, you can guide him and help make sure his decisions are in the company’s overall best interest for the short and long term.”

“Are you saying you don’t want to be part of Blake Industries?”

I know my answer matters to Adam for reasons he’ll never share. “I’m saying that Gavin deserves a shot at it. If he flounders, I’ll be there to help, but he needs a chance to prove he can be just as successful if not more so than you were.”

“And BLACK Security?”

“Remains mine,” I say, finishing the last bit of my sandwich. “But if you need my help in any aspect of your business, from background checks, to security breeches either financial or IT related, to extra security for an event or a special guest you’re hosting, you only have to ask.”

“You just outlined a contract with BLACK Security I could get my head around,” my father says, a brief smile curving his lips. “Get me a write up and we’ll talk numbers.”

I’m not sure how I feel about working with my father, but he wants me here, then it may as well be on my terms. “Sounds like a plan.”

The room grows quiet and Adam’s mood turns somber. “She had her frustrating moments, but I miss Isabel.”

“I’m truly sorry for your loss.”

Adam nods his appreciation, then looks contemplative. “How’s Talia doing with the wedding being postponed?”

“You know Talia…right now she’s helping me with the investigation.”

“Hold on tight to that woman, son. She’s the quiet storm our family needs.”

“Quiet storm?”

He nods. “Quiet storms enter on a whisper. They’re not harsh or violent, but their winds can be powerfully strong, turning the biggest of boats around and putting them back on course.”

I smile at his accurate assessment. Talia really won over Adam. I wish I could’ve overheard their conversation about me. A text comes through from Calder just as I nod my agreement with my father.

Waiting for you outside. Thanks to Talia we have a serial number to run down.

I look at my father, but don’t want to share the development in case it doesn’t pan out. “Thanks for lunch and the discussion.”

We stand together and my father puts out his hand. “I’m looking forward to working with you, son.”

I clasp his hand and shake it, nodding. “I’ll work up the contract and get you a copy to review.”

“What’s the serial number from? That igniter was toast,” I say to Calder as I approach.

“But the other one wasn’t.” He pushes off from leaning against my car and uncurls his hand, revealing a device that looks just like the rendering I glanced at before we left.

“What other one?” My stomach tenses. How did Talia get a hold of another device?

Calder lifts up his phone and Talia’s voice comes through the speaker. “Remember when I fussed at you and said, “Even in redundancy mode?”

My body tenses and I grab the device from Calder’s hand. “You meant that literally?” I pull open the igniter’s casing and look for the serial number, while my brain seizes on the fact that it was on her car.

“Knowing your need to have a backup plan, I found the second device that I thought you had put there and tossed it into a water fountain outside the restaurant.”

“How did you retrieve this from the fountain?” I instantly frown, then grate out, “Did you leave the office by yourself?”

“Well, I had to—”

“Never mind.” The tightness in my chest grows tighter. “Where are you right now?”

“At the office.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“Calm down, Bash. Den is with her,” Calder says.

“No, he’s not,” I snap. “He’s meeting with my father right now.”

“Actually, my MI6 colleague is interviewing with Adam as we speak,” Den’s British accent floats from Calder’s speaker phone. “Due to the high threat level on Talia, I just informed your father before I called you that I’m taking over as her personal bodyguard, effective immediately.”

I’m both relieved and pissed. “You’re not a member of my team.”

“Then fix that, Mr. Blake,” Den says in a formal tone.

I look at Calder, my expression saying, Can you believe the balls on this guy? “Mr. Blake is my father,” I say curtly, frustrated that I’m not already by my wife’s side.

“Then fix that, sir.”

Calder smirks and I shake my head. “Sebastian will do.”

“Talia is my priority,” Den says. “Her car has been dusted for prints and there weren’t any others than hers. Go find the bastard who’s trying to hurt her.”

“We’ll discuss salary and boundaries later.”

“Boundaries mean nothing. Only people matter.”

I blink at the dead line. That fucker hung up on me.

“Congratulations, looks like he’s decided to hire you as his boss.” Calder chuckles as he puts his phone away and walks around to stand beside the passenger door.

“Did you know about this?” My hand tightens around my keys.

He shrugs. “You know that Den’s presence is the only way you’ll go with me to follow this lead.”

I don’t like the idea of not going straight back to the office. Talia fully trusts Den and if I can’t be there personally, his extensive skill set is exactly the kind of guard I want watching my wife’s back.

Beeping the car to unlock it, I open my door and grumble, “Get in. It’s getting late.”

We drive for a while, then enter a sketchier area of the Lower East Side. “Keep on this road and we’ll be there in less than ten minutes,” Calder says

“Good thing we left when we did.” I glance at my watch. “The store you say the electronic part came from will close soon. Other than convenience stores, no one in this area sticks around late if they don’t have to, and I’m sure Vinny’s Electronics won’t be any different.”

Rolling his head from one shoulder to the other, Calder glances my way. “Even when I was going through all my shit and I’d stayed away from family for months, I still managed to make it to Josi’s christening. You know I support you regardless, but what could possibly be so bad that would make you risk alienating everyone else?”

I thrum my fingers on the dashboard, knowing that Calder won’t let this go. In about five seconds he’ll say something else. Five, four, three, two—

“Seriously, Bash. You’re my brother! Fucking talk to—”

“Isabel paid a hit man to take me out when I was a teen,” I snap. “My mom was his victim instead.”

“Holy shit!” Calder shoves his hands through his hair and stares for a beat. “That’s so fucked up, I can’t even wrap my head around it. There’s no way you’ve known about this the whole time or sneering at Isabel is the least you would’ve done to her.”

I nod. “The man Isabel hired back then was that Hayes guy from Talia’s past. The day Hayes attacked Talia in her apartment, he told me how Isabel hired him all those years ago. It’s a good thing he tried to kill me again after that sick confession, because that bastard was going down either way. How’s that for twisted fuckery?”

Calder folds his arms, angry lines bracketing his mouth. “Isabel deserved jail, not a memorial honoring her memory. Why didn’t you say anythi—”

“You can’t repeat any of this.” I stop for a car waiting to turn left in front of me and meet his gaze, my expression resolute. “It would devastate our family.”

“You don’t deserve the shit you’ll get for this,” he mutters, then looks down the street as I push on the gas. “The store’s sign is up ahead.”

“Adam accepts my decision. The others…” I shrug “I guess I’m not surprised. Once a bastard, always a bastard.”

He starts to say something, but I pull in front of Vinny’s Electronics. Cutting the engine, I peer through Calder’s window at the storefront. The Open sign is turned off, but lights are still on in the store.

The store’s door doesn’t give when I push on it. Instead the lights inside go completely out. “Well, shit.”

Calder folds his hand tight around the igniter. “Damn. Looks like we’re coming back.”

I hear an approaching car slowing down behind us and having seen enough drive-bys in my youth, I instantly reach for Calder’s arm, my voice low. “Down, Cald!”

“What?” As Calder ducks slightly and follows my line of sight, the car revs and zooms away. I stare after it, narrowing my gaze at the car’s familiar shape and the shadow of a bob hairstyle on the driver.

I straighten and grumble, “I didn’t get to see if it had a unicorn hood ornament.”

“You think it’s the same car that cut us off?” Calder asks, standing to his full height.

“I might not be able to see the color of the paint, but it’s bright and the same body style. I don’t believe in coincidences.”

“It’s a pale yellow.”

I try to use the dim taillights to make out the license plate, but the car is too far away and the street too poorly lit. I lift my gaze to the rundown building with a fancy marquee off in the distance. “My old neighborhood isn’t far from that old theater. Most likely Banks runs this commercial section too. We’ll be back first thing in the morning.”