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Chapter Four

Wade

“I told you why. I need an outsider.”

“But?”

“But,” I admit reluctantly because Meredith is waiting, “the fact that you’re gay will be a selling point.”

“God. I should have known. Is that why you involved River.”

“No.” It sounds bad when he puts it like that. “Not exactly. Your brother is adept at organization.” Just not dependable, it turns out. “But this is Pride month.”

Canyon’s green eyes flash. “Are you telling me you planned this entire retreat for your one gay employee?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. We don’t have time for this. But this needs to be settled before we meet with Meredith and Ander. “River is our only openly gay employee. My intention was to show how…accepting we are as a company.”

“Wow. No wonder my brother bailed.”

I’m in his face before I can stop myself. “This is my company. My life.” I clench my hands to hide the trembling, fueled by frustration and God knows what else. “I can’t fail.”

Canyon’s eyes widen, but he doesn’t flinch. Audrey Hepburn. That’s who he reminds me of. Beautiful. Delicate. Immovable. “Got it.”

My hands itch to shake him—to grab his face, my thumbs tracing his cheekbones as I slam our mouths together.

I back away, my heart pounding as I take large gulps of air.

The adrenaline slowly wears off, leaving a sick feeling in my stomach.

Leaning against my desk, I grip the edge and take a moment to regain control of my temper.

Carefully, I say, “We had an agreement, Canyon. Nothing has changed.” I risk a glance at his face.

No fear, thank God. But he’s frowning… Could I have read him wrong? “Wait. Are you saying you’re not gay?”

His head jerks up and he stares at me with wide eyes, his mouth slightly open. “You’re unbelievable.” He slowly shakes his head as if still trying to process my words. “I can see why you need a retreat. You suck at this.”

I dig my thumb into my palm. You are in control. This is a business deal . Nothing more . What is his weakness? “Is this about money? I’m already paying you three times more for this job?—”

“Not everything’s about money, Wade .” But his eyes shift away. And then they’re back at full force. “I already have a job. And it’s not dependent on me being gay.”

This is getting us nowhere. “If you’re not happy with our arrangement, there’s the door. I’ll even arrange for someone to drive you home.”

“So thoughtful,” he mumbles, like a petulant child. I am so done.

“If you stay, I need you at a hundred percent on this, Canyon . Halfway won’t cut it.

” Meredith will get tired of waiting. And then the hours of planning will have been for nothing.

I can’t do this without him, which frustrates me to no end.

But the rules drilled into me since my father died and left me the company are clear.

Show no weakness. Don’t give them the upper hand. “It’s your choice. Make it now.”

The struggle is clear on his face. He wants to tell me to fuck off, but he can’t. “Fine. Whatever.”

His words alleviate the pressure in my chest, and I clutch the edges of my desk to keep from sagging in relief. Pulling myself together, I stand and nod. The words slip out before I can evaluate them. “Good. Thank you.”

Canyon sucks in a breath. Is he mocking me? But his cheeks are a dusty pink. “You’re…” He clears his throat, his eyes on my desk. “You’re welcome.”

I feel unsettled as I lead Canyon down the hall to the conference room. Is Meredith in there now, pacing the room and expressing her disapproval?

Whack. The sting of the ruler against my palm. “Do it again. And this time, get it right, you ungrateful, stubborn boy.”

My chest tightens as if squeezed by a giant fist. I can’t… I can’t do this. I stop, pressing my thumb into my hand. The door is less than five feet away, but it might as well be miles.

What is wrong with me? I’m a grown adult. I can take whatever Meredith dishes out. I’ve done it for years.

But I’m putting Canyon right in her path.

“Wade—Mr. Darian? Is something wrong?”

I shake my head, unable to talk as I try like hell to keep my mask from slipping.

“Wade, there you are.”

My head jerks as Jared Porter strides toward us. He’s tall with dark-blond hair and a wide smile that’s now tinged with worry. A question in his eyes. “Steph said you were looking for me?”

The pressure in my lungs eases and I can breathe again. I suck in a breath. Thank you, Steph. I should’ve gotten Jared involved from the start.

“Yes. I thought it would be beneficial to have your input during this meeting. Oh,” I say, turning to Canyon. “This is Jared Porter, head of our legal team. Jared, this is Canyon Drake, River’s brother. He’s agreed to take River’s place at the retreat.”

A slight widening of his eyes is there and gone. The only indication of his thoughts. What are you doing ? “Excellent.” He smiles warmly as he reaches out to shake Canyon’s hand. “It’s good to meet you, Mr. Drake. I hope everything’s okay with your brother.”

“Likewise. My brother just needs a few days to get things settled. Um…with his friend, I mean.” His eyes dart to me and then back to Jared.

He really isn’t good at lying. Not a bad thing. Except, I need him to lie.

Jared nods. “Are we ready?” He reaches for the door and glances back at Canyon. “No need to be nervous. Wade and I will do all the talking.” But his statement is also a question.

“Okay, yes,” Canyon says, giving Jared a relieved smile.

“Excellent.” I nod at them both. Then, I square my shoulders and prepare to face Meredith.

My step-aunt. The person responsible for my brother and me after the death of our parents almost twenty years ago, and then our uncle not long after that.

I can do this. I’m the CEO of this company.

Not a ten-year-old boy desperate for approval.

Jared leads the way, first in the line of fire, which I appreciate. I nod for Canyon to go next so we can flank him. As if we’re going to battle and he’s the precious cargo we’re protecting.

As soon as I close the door behind us, Meredith’s eyes meet mine.

“Glad you could finally join us.” This is her first strike.

Intimidate me from the start. But it doesn’t work as well as it did when I was nine.

Or eighteen, finally taking over my father’s company.

Her eyes go to Jared next. “Mr. Porter, I didn’t see you on the invite for this meeting.

And while your enthusiasm is admirable, your services won’t be needed. ”

Jared grins, nonplussed, and this is why I adore him. “Huh. That’s interesting, Meredith. Perhaps my invite was misplaced—right alongside yours.”

Her eyes glitter dangerously. “Ander invited me.”

Ander had stood when we entered but now sinks back in his chair.

Trying to hide, no doubt. He doesn’t respond until our aunt clears her throat and gives him a pointed look.

“Yes. I asked Aunt—” His eyes widen at his slip.

We’re not allowed to call her aunt at work.

Another rule. “Meredith. I asked Meredith to join us.”

“And I invited Jared. Now, if we’re done taking role, can we get on with it?”

“Not quite done.” The glee in her voice as she stares at Canyon like she’s found a new toy she can’t wait to play with sends shivers down my spine.

I make the introductions. Canyon holds his own, not backing down. Pride and fear surge through me in equal measure. As Jared and I sit on either side of Canyon, I rub my hands on my pants. Is it too late to whisk Canyon away?

He tilts his head as he watches Ander. My brother and I are completely different.

I’m dark—hair, eyes, and temperament. My brother is light—blond, blue-eyed, and charming.

There are other differences, but you’d have to look closely to see them.

His eyes are less haunted and the palms of his hands are perfectly smooth.

I took the brunt of everything. Protecting my brother gave me a purpose.

Until his loyalty shifted from me to the company. And Meredith. Adding her to this meeting is further evidence of that.

“This is a simple matter,” I begin. “River had to take off.” I try not to emphasize those last two words, but it’s difficult. “Take time off,” I amend. “Canyon has kindly agreed to take his place.”

“Why?” Meredith directs the question to Canyon, and he glances at Jared.

Good boy. And that reminds me of earlier when Canyon caught me in his kitchen, petting his cat.

“ Who’s a good kitty?” His eyes had flashed with something combustible.

I grab one of the pitchers of ice water Steph placed on the table for us.

I quickly pour a glass and take a drink to cool the heat rushing up my neck. This is not the time.

I pour Canyon a glass. He gives me a quick smile, but his hand shakes slightly as he takes a sip.

“Meredith, could you please clarify your question? Are you asking why River needed time off? Or why Canyon is taking his place?”

She huffs, her hand in the air like she’d love to have a cigarette in it right now. “I—we,” she says, nodding to Ander, “would like answers to both of those questions.”

I thought I was prepared. But now—she’s going to pick my reasons apart. Shred them. “River needed?—”

Jared puts his hand on my arm. “Hold on, Wade.” He stares at Meredith as if he’s considering something. Something he no doubt already put together. “I’m not sure we can divulge River’s information without his permission. It violates his rights under HIPPA.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’m part of this company.”

“The law is clear. Divulging River’s medical information, even within the company, especially within the company, is on a need-to-know basis.”

“Which, as a chairperson of the board, I would need to know.”

“I’d argue that’s debatable. And we could take the time to debate it if this meeting were about River. But it isn’t. The decisions we need to make today involve Canyon.”