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Succeed! Succeed! Succeed!
In that moment, Asha found a new mantra, and she was determined to keep it.
“You did an incredible job with Holderman,” Travis commented casually as he plopped into the chair in front of Kade’s desk in his office at Harrison. “A hell of a lot better than I could have managed.”
Kade shrugged. “He’s an ass, but we want the acquisition.”
“I’m not sure I would have pursued it. The company would have lost money because I don’t have the patience to deal with him,” Travis replied, straightening his tie, obviously wanting to say something, but looking like he was reluctant or unable to say it.
“So you needed me,” Kade said jokingly. More seriously, he added, “It was no big deal. I’ve had to deal with a lot of assholes in my life. I’ve learned not to let them get to me. Winning the game is more important.”
“I’m glad you’re here, Kade. I just wanted you to know that,” Travis grumbled, looking a little uncomfortable. “You have strengths that I don’t, and we complement each other.”
Kade looked at his twin in surprise. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?” The comment was so unlike Travis that Kade wasn’t quite sure he’d heard Travis properly. His twin didn’t admit to having any weaknesses.
“I’m just stating a fact. Harrison is better for having you here.” Travis shifted in his chair, straightening his already perfect tie. “I just wish you’d rethink your shirts and ties.”
Kade barked out a laugh.Thatcomment was more like Travis, but he was touched that Travis wanted him here. “I thought you had everything under control. I never felt like you needed me.”
“I don’t,” Travis said defensively. “If you want to do something else with your life, you can feel free to leave Harrison to me.”
Kade studied Travis, trying to read him, but it was almost impossible. Luckily, they were twins, and Kade sensed certain things about his brother. Right now, Travis was trying to set him free to do whatever he wanted to do because his elder brother had always taken up all the responsibilities at Harrison, allowing the rest of the siblings to pursue their dreams. Kade had never thought about the sacrifices Travis had made for his family, but now he asked, “Do you like being here? Do you like running Harrison? You could have been a hell of a race car driver if you’d stayed with that. But you couldn’t, could you? You were the only one left to run the company.” Kade’s gut twisted with guilt. “You were the only one who never felt free to do what you wanted. You were trapped here because Mia was pursuing her art and I was playing football.” Kade had never thought about the unfairness of that fact until now. He’d always just assumed that Travis was exactly where he wanted to be.
“It was fair,” Travis rumbled. “I wasn’t deprived. I was doing exactly what I wanted. I like racing, but it’s a hobby. I never felt the driving need to do it professionally. I wanted to be here. So don’t try to make me out to be some type of hero. I love this company and the way it challenges me.”
You like the way it takes up all your time and helps you forget.Kade knew that Travis buried himself in his work. But he was relieved that he hadn’t had a burning desire to do something else. “I want to be here, Travis. I just felt like you didn’t need me here because you had it all handled, had it all together.”
“I do,” Travis drawled arrogantly. “But I could use your help.”
Kade stifled a chuckle, knowing that he wasn’t going to get any more than that admission from Travis. But it was good enough for him. Admittedly, he felt needed here. Slowly, the duties that were weaknesses for Travis had been passed to him, and he found that he truly did excel at the things that Travis didn’t. The employees were starting to look to him for guidance in those areas, and he was starting to feel like the captain of his own football team. “I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good,” Travis answered briskly, standing and brushing imaginary wrinkles from his suit.
“But I’m not changing the way I dress unless it’s for a necessary function that requires I be boring,” Kade warned him, trying to keep the laughter from his voice.
“Agreed,” Travis replied reluctantly. Stopping with his hand on the doorknob and his back to Kade, he paused. “You know, sometimes it scares the hell out of me, but I’m actually starting to look forward to seeing your fluffy bunny shirts and dancing banana ties every day.”
“Well, damn,” Kade said under his breath. “I guess he did miss me.” His brother’s comment was the closest thing he’d ever heard to a confession that he wanted to be closer to Kade, see him more often.
Travis moved to leave, but turned around again. “Incidentally, we’ve uncovered some not-so-legal business practices of Asha’s ex-husband. He employs Indian students illegally and works them like dogs. Pays them almost nothing, but they’re desperate so they do it. Since they aren’t supposed to be working here on a student visa, they keep their mouths shut about it. Rumor has it that the women get the worst of it, but they can’t report him when he mistreats them or assaults them because they’re afraid they’ll be in trouble for working illegally.”
“Bastard,” Kade spat out with disgust.
“He’ll get what’s coming to him, Kade. Be patient. This will help more people than just Asha,” Travis said cautiously, drilling Kade with an intense stare.
Kade shook his head, trying to push down on the anger he felt every time he imagined someone hurting Asha. But now that he knew the asshole was hurting others, he knew he had to find a way to control himself. After all, Asha was safe. “I’ll wait,” he answered in a clipped voice.
Travis’s phone started blasting an upbeat music ringtone, and he yanked the phone from his pocket, glaring at it like it was his worst enemy. “Goddamn it! How the hell did she get my phone this time?”
“Ms. Caldwell?” Kade asked, smirking at Travis’s phone.
“She’s a pain in my ass. She’s fired this time.” Travis stomped out of the office, the door closing behind him.
Kade chuckled, staring at the closed door, not the least bit afraid for Ally. Travis threatened to fire her at least once a day, and she was still here. His brother could snarl and get pissed off all he wanted…there was no way he’d get rid of Ally. He needed her too much. Honestly, Kade wasn’t sure what Travis would do without her anymore. She might irritate the hell out of him, but she kept him on his toes.
Glancing at the clock, he decided it was time to go home.
As he left the office, he grinned at his secretary, Karen, and she smiled right back, both of them hearing the heated exchange between Ally and Travis in the next office. Kade doubted anyone took it seriously anymore because it happened on a daily basis.