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The tension grows as Derrick rushes toward my father, and I stand up. Something shiny and metal is in Derrick’s hand, reflecting light.
A knife, I think, and my adrenaline rushes when I look into Derrick’s dead eyes. The scene unfolds in slow motion, but Weston is fast. He kicks out his leg, slamming his heel into Derrick’s knee. A crack rings out, and then I move forward, wrestling him to the ground. All of my pent-up anger that I have toward this man releases from my fist into his face.
He fights back, but doesn’t land a single blow as I shove my free hand into his jaw.
Over the years, he’s tried to discredit me, wanted to set me up to look like the bad guy, and even fed the media false information to catch me off guard. He has always been the problem.
Security enters and Weston pulls me away, backing me up against the wall. It’s pure fucking chaos.
“Look at me,” Weston says, placing his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to focus on him and only him.
Moments later, arms are being wrapped around my waist.Lexi.Fuck, I almost forgot she was here.
“I’m sorry.” I pull her close to me. “I’m so sorry.”
“Are you okay?” she whispers, studying me like I’m a miracle.
I made it out unscathed, other than my bloody knuckles, where I broke skin.
Once Derrick has been escorted out, along with Taelor, my father clears his throat, and the room quiets. We take our seats.
“When I was a young boy, my father always told me the truth should be regarded above everything. I taught my boys to tell the truth, even when it hurts, because, in a world full of lies, it’s allwe have.” My father meets the eyes of every person in the room. “If you say this marriage is real, Easton, I trust you’re being truthful.”
“I am,” I confirm, taking Lexi’s hand in mine, and I graze my thumb along the outside of hers. “This woman is my everything, and I’m willing to lose it all for her.”
“You shouldn’t have to,” Weston says. “Easton always said he wouldn’t get married for any reason other than love. He kept that promise to himself and met our grandfather’s requirements. Yes, that conversation happened, but it was a push in the right direction. I’d like everyone here to raise their hands, especially those who had a private wedding ceremony with just you and your partner.” Weston looks around. No one moves. “They did it for themselves, not for a spectacle. Otherwise, you’d all have received an invitation.”
Lexi laughs and I glance at her, holding back a smile. It was the original plan when we were unsure of how we felt. Our desires quickly changed; we cared less about everyone else and focused on us.
My father speaks. “I’d like to make a motion that we continue forward with the transition. Easton will fulfill his role as planned and the farewell party will be rescheduled for this Saturday.”
“I’ll second that,” Weston says.
Votes are taken, and it’s unanimous. Lexi smiles, and I know no matter what would’ve happened, we’d have had each other. Life still would’ve been amazing.
“I love you,” she whispers, squeezing my fingers three times. “Congratulations.”
“I love you too,” I say back to her, feeling overwhelming pride.
Tomorrow, I’ll finally take on the role I was born and trained to do.
I willofficiallybecome CEO.
47
EASTON
Since meeting her: 58 days
Married: 39 days
SIX DAYS LATER
The room is full of employees, investors, and industry leaders. We’re gathered here to celebrate the Calloway brand, to send off my father, and to congratulate me. I look out into the crowd as I stand at a podium on the stage set up in the ballroom. It feels right as I give the speech that I wrote for this.
“I will continue to make my grandfather proud in everything I do, as I’ve always strived to do. As I stand here as your chief executive officer, I know this is how it was always supposed to be.” I lean closer into the microphone. “Well, there are a few things we could’ve done without.”
The room erupts into laughter and my eyes find Lexi sitting at a table in the front, looking so goddamn gorgeous as she eye-fucks me from across the room. It all disappears for a few seconds. She lifts her brow—a dare—and I give her a smirk, ready to leave to be alone with her. I snap back to my speech.