Page 85 of Cru's Crush

“What was the last thing she said to you?”

“Again, it’s none of your business.”

He raised a brow, and his nostrils flared. “Just tell me.”

“She said the ring I gave her was in her bedroom and she’d go and get it. I told her I didn’t want it.”

“Then what?”

“I left.”

“This is the part I don’t get. You knew things here were taken care of. You could’ve stayed and tried to work things out.”

“Why? I can’t leave Los Cab. She can’t leave Cullen House. She was right to say it can’t work.”

“Cru, how much money do you have?”

I opened my eyes and raised my head. “I don’t know.”

“Millions?”

I shrugged.

“Billions?”

“Maybe not plural.”

“You could buy a plane and hire a pilot. Or Daphne could. She’s probably worth more than you are. You could fly to Australia as much as you wanted and vice versa, at least until she’s able to work things out with Cullen House. Or until her dad is well enough to return himself.”

I shook my head. “He’s not good, Beau. He can hardly speak.”

“That’s what my father said.”

“I love Daphne. I’ve never loved anyone else and doubt that I ever will, but I can’t do what you’re suggesting, Beau. I can’t be away from Los Cab on a regular basis. I can’t live part of the year in Australia.”

He stood and walked to the door. “Then, you don’t really love her.”

I stood too. “That’s bullshit. Just because you couldn’t commit?—”

“Stop right there.” He stalked over to me. “I did commit. I gave up my life in California to be with Sam in New York. Maybe you’re right that I never committed to Daphne, but I never felt for her the way I do for Sam.”

“Congratulations. You’re the bigger man. Now, leave.”

To my surprise, that’s exactly what he did. His words, however, stuck with me. Maybe I could do what he’d suggested and look into getting a plane. On the other hand, once the harvest was over, I could buy a one-way ticket like I had before. Only this time, I wouldn’t leave until I convinced Daphne I loved her and would do anything to be with her.

24

DAPHNE

It had been a month since Cru returned to California after being in Australia for less than twenty-four hours.

In that time, the only progress I’d made with the board was finding an addendum to Cullen House’s original articles of corporation stating that the entire board must vote on the removal or replacement of the chairman. Five minutes after reading it, then confirming there was no addendum to the addendum negating it, I rang Martin Barrett and Hewitt Ridge, asking them to become “unavailable” for a vote. Both men agreed to my request. At the very least, it would buy me more time to figure out a way to get rid of Dorian.

Also in the time since Cru left, my father had exceeded his doctor’s expectations on his recovery. He could get around on his feet, albeit with either a cane or, if he was fatigued, a walker. And he no longer had signs of facial paralysis.

He’d returned home but hadn’t yet gone into the office, and neither my mum nor I thought it was a good idea for him to do so.

He still had rehab three times a week, but instead of him traveling to the office, he’d arranged for the therapists to come to the house.