Page 124 of An Inevitable Marriage

“Well, this has been great and all, but I have to get back to the office and kiss some ass if I want to make partner.”

Tristan got to his feet, which prompted Rafe and I to do the same.

“This one’s on me,” I said, pulling on my suit jacket and fastening the buttons.

Tristan smacked his palm against mine. “This one and the next four. It’s your punishment for breaking bro code.”

Rafe did the same, only his shake ended in a hug. “You deserve to be happy,” he said low enough that only I could hear. So please, for the love of all things holy, don’t fuck it up.”

“I won’t.”

With that, we said our goodbyes.

As I walked across the parking lot, I noticed it was still early. Maybe if I asked her nice enough, Snow would play hooky with me and we could go do something fun.

I retrieved my phone from my pocket and scrolled to her number. Thumb poised over the call button; my heart dipped right before it slammed against my ribs two times too fast. Funny how the mere thought of hearing her voice could evoke such a reaction in my body.

“Well, this is a surprise.”

And just like that, the euphoria coursing through my veins turned to fucking ice. Releasing a deep breath through my nose, I pocketed my phone and slowly spun around.

The moment I laid eyes on my grandfather, I wanted to punch the smug smile off his face.

“Where’s your lovely wife?” He made a show of scanning the area. “Or did you come here to meet someone she doesn’t know about?”

“I’m not you,” I ground out. “Faithful and loyalty aren’t meaningless words to me.”

The bastard threw his head back and laughed. “Says the boy who has to pay women to suck him off. How fucking precious.” Grin spreading wider, he closed the distance between us. We were almost the same height, had the same color eyes, and mostly the same facial features.

But for the first time, looking at him didn’t feel like looking into a mirror. It didn’t feel like seeing my future and what I’d become.

I wasn’t him or my father. And I sure as shit wasn’t destined to be the same assholes they were. Just like I had their blood running through my veins, I had my mother’s, too. And she had enough goodness in her to counteract ten of them.

“I wonder what your wife will think of your extracurricular activities?” With a hum, my grandfather cocked his head to the side. “Maybe she and I should have a little chat.”

The words weren’t even fully out of his mouth when I grabbed him. Fingers curled into his jacket; I yanked him forward.

“Go near her, and I will fucking end you.”

A laugh blew over his lips. The sound so bitter and cold, icy tendrils of fear wrapped around my spine.

“See.” He beamed. “You are your father’s son after all.”

“Fuck you,” I spat.

“It’s high time you accept who you are and do the right thing.” When I just glared at him, he went on. “That company should be mine. You know it should. And while we’re on the subject, you might want to advise your wife to drop the charges against Shane. He didn’t do anything she didn’t want him to do.”

My vision blurred, fingers curling tighter into his jacket. “You don’t speak about my wife. You don’t even fucking think about her.”

“My, my, my. So much anger. How long before you unleash it on her?”

I let go of him so fast he stumbled backward. He wasn’t deterred. That fucking laugh only grew louder, and his smug grin only spread wider.

There were so many words I wanted to throw at him. Not just words. I wanted to ram my fists into his face over and over again. Wanted to feel the bones crush beneath my knuckles and hear him beg for mercy.

Mercy I’d never give.

I wanted it all so damn bad my entire body shook.