Page 132 of Massacre Monday

“As CEO, you’d be in charge of making executive decisions, but I found an operating officer to run the day-to-day.”

“We could travel… Pippi and I could live at the beach house.”

“Listen, your mom is going to miss you if you stay away too long. So don’t make it more than a few months at a time. But yes.”

“Dad…” His voice quivers as his eyes fill with emotion. Slapping a hand over his face, he wipes it away and smiles. The sight of my son so happy makes my heart soar.

Clearing my throat, I stand and wave him off his seat. He does, and I extend my hand. “As chair and CEO of Cardell Enterprises, I extend to you, Ryan Cardell, the honor of becoming CEO of Nine Lives Sports Agency with Chief Operating Officer, Adal Freidenberg of the Freidenberg Foundation.”

“Dad!” Aiden yells, and Ryan keels over with laughter.

“Of course you would…” Ryan can hardly get the words out.

“It’s something the president, Max, and I thought would work. Youwillmake it work as hisbossnow, won’t you, Son?”

His lips purse as he contains a smile. “Oh, yes. I willlovebeing his boss.” Ryan grabs my hand and firmly shakes it.

Finally, Aiden realizes what I’ve done. The setup I played was a good one, if I do say so. Convincing Max was no issue. He’s still in the dark about what his son did to mine. So, what better way to make him pay? Put Ryan in charge of his every waking moment…

For the rest of his life.

“I want to be CEO of the sports management part!” Henry whines.

“No!” his brothers yell simultaneously.

“You’ll get your turn at something great, my boy.” Walking across the room, I grab his shoulders and squeeze. Then I lead the troupe back to the living room and make an announcement.

“Okay, everyone! Get the fuck out of here so I can have some time with your mother.”

Loud groans erupt throughout, but Marissa sidles up to my side and gives me a small kiss that I turn into a deeper one.

“Does that mean I can spend the night over at Kim’s house?” Alice asks.

“Yes, bye.”

Marissa slaps my chest. “It’s aSundaynight.”

“Oh. No, then. But you can disappear. Bye.” I grab my wife’s hand and lead her toward the bedroom.

“Can’t you wait for one moment?” she asks, trying to pull away and run back toward the kids.

“I haven’t seen you all day.”

“I’ve beenright here.”

I pout and point to my bottom lip. “But you haven’t beenright here.”

“Fine. Let’s go quick.”

“You got it.”

But she doesn’t know…

I’m about to take all the time in the world on her.

Giddy,I grab my girl and spin her around in the kitchen. “Let’s go!”

“What did he want to talk about?” she asks as we head outside to my car. It’s too cold for the bike now.