Jamieson
“Did she tell you she was holding a party?” Wyatt asks, kind of pissed off.
“Nope. Don’t think she told me she was having a party, Wyatt. Nothing about a party was ever mentioned,” I reply, staring at our little sister. It’s been a little over two months since I’d seen Carli, and I’ve thrown myself into the affairs of Crown to avoid anything that has to do with China’s incarceration. That includes today.
“China, we need to know about these things. Don’t leave us out of the loop.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she scrunches up her face. China is thoroughly unimpressed with our banter. She’s trying to be mad at us.
“‘China this, China that. Doll, don’t do it. Doll, you’re not old enough to know the consequences of doing something stupid.’ Don’t you two ever get tired of the same lines? I know I’m damn tired of hearing you both. How about a new conversation? I’m turning twenty-one and I’m having a party. No arguments. Neither of you have a say in this, and I’ll do as I damn well please.”
Looking at Wyatt, quirking an eyebrow at him, I try to bug her a touch further. “No one is allowed in my room, and no one in Wyatt’s. And if you even think of letting some horny youngsters in our parents’ room, you better be ready to burn the whole place down.”
“Give me a break! It’s my house in twenty minutes. Once we sign those papers, I’m the proud owner of the house on the hill. You’ll have no say, boys.” Indignant and annoyed, China has turned a new shade of blue.
Ignoring her and talking to Wyatt, I try to irk her further. “What you think, Wyatt? Do you think she’s good enough to do this on her own now?” We’ve talked at length about it.
“Yeah, I think if she can handle us giving her a hard time, she can probably handle the race team. What do you think, Doll?”
“Sorry? Did I miss something? What are you two talking about?” Good. She’s confused.
“Well, we talked about it and worked it out without you. Even with your recent fiascos with the law, you’ve held your ground. You did well, and both of us think you’ll do good as the Interim President of Crown Industries. Of course, that’s if you want it until Wyatt is free of the hospital?”
She’s still utterly confused, so I continue. “Look, Doll. I’m going back to Vale as soon as I can, and we figured you can do Crown Industries’ justice. You up for it?” After that initial conversation with the lawyers, the way they wanted to bend things, how the stockholders wanted to sway things, and our parents’ wishes, Wyatt and I decided it was best to put this in our hands, as a family.
“Yeah. Jamieson and I worked it out. The lawyers are in for a shock in twenty minutes, but we figured it was best to get the shock factor out of the way with you first.”
Looking at me, then Wyatt, China’s expression runs the gambit. From shock, surprise, wonder, confusion, and finally, elation.
Merconda Smith and our team of ex-lawyer vipers left just a few hours ago. That was after we’d told them we were leaving their firm. I bet Ms. Smith’s panties were a smidge fuller than when she walked in. Crown Industries was their law firm’s biggest client, and now we’re Grundy and Smith’s biggest client. We’d had too many variables with Merconda’s firm, too many things they could sway. Now the three of us are equal partners in the family business. We’ll decide how it goes. No one can change things on us again.
Quieter this time, China smiles wide. “So you want me to run Crown while you get well?”
“Mom and Dad never saw your potential, sis. We do. We know you can do it well,” Wyatt states, grinning wide.
Without warning, flying across the room, China wraps Wyatt in a huge bear hug. From here, I hear her crying into his shoulder tears of joy. There was no doubt in our minds when we talked about it. She’s strong, and I know she can do it. Lawyers wanted me, I wanted Wyatt, and they’d overlooked her strengths.
Jumping up from embracing Wyatt, in seconds, my little sister has me wrapped tight. “Thank you, Whiskey. You two are the best brothers any girl could ask for.”
“You’ll do great, Doll.” Petting the top of her head, I happily hug her back. Mom may have lost faith in me with Petra, and maybe that’s why I’ve stayed away from China, but I know she’s got this in the bag.
Pulling back, smiling up at me, I see the same in her as Petra. She’s strong, she takes no shit, and she’ll never let someone tell her it can’t be done. But, before we move on, we have to deal with the final arrangements for our mother’s funeral. She’s been on ice since the accident, and Merconda reminded us we needed to finish her burial.
“Okay, so the lawyers are going to be here soon. About Mom’s funeral. Do you have any races scheduled right after you lose the ankle monitor and the chaperone?” I ask China.
“Nope. Nothing will hold me back.”
“That’s good. Now, the only hitch in a date is you, Wyatt. What about your progress? Are we good to go for the week after China is free and clear?” It’s the end of the week. He’s been doing so well, and so is Circe. I don’t see them needing a further stay.
“I’d love for someone to try and stop me.”
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