BAM-The Beginning (Vested Interest) Page 3

  I wasn’t prepared for Aiden’s hug. He was rarely demonstrative, but he caught me around the waist, lifting me up and squeezing hard. Maddox and Sandy laughed as I gasped out my protest.

  “Aiden, I can’t breathe!”

  He set me on my feet, his smile wide. “Thanks, Bent. I mean, really, thanks.” He swept out his arm. “For all this. For including me. You won’t regret it.”

  I inhaled deeply, trying to fill my lungs. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Let’s go look at the basement.”

  I followed him, catching Sandy’s eye. She smiled and nodded, her silent approval making me feel about six years old and basking in my mother’s praise for bringing her a dandelion or some such nonsense. Only she could do that to me.

  I squared my shoulders and stepped into the elevator, locking that shit down. But I didn’t pull away when she slipped her hand in mine and squeezed.

  Instead, I squeezed back.

  Chapter 2

  Two years later

  The car pulled up in front of the hotel and I glanced up at the bright lights of the expansive canopy and the large number of people entering the venue.

  Frank, my new driver Aiden had insisted I hire, met my eyes in the mirror.

  “I hope you enjoy your evening, sir. Call me when you’re ready to depart, and I’ll be here right away.”

  “Where do you go while I’m inside?” I asked out of curiosity. Despite not really wanting a driver, I liked Frank, and I had to admit having him drive allowed me to concentrate on work—I could return emails, call people, and try to finish the day before I arrived home. As it was, I worked until eight or nine most nights, and Sandy insisted I stop working every minute I was awake. She often lamented I was never going to find a girl and settle down if I never went anywhere but the office and business functions. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I never planned on settling down. I was married to my company—and quite happy to be so. I highly doubted I would ever find someone I could be comfortable enough with to have a deep, personal relationship. I wasn’t built that way. But I allowed her to keep hoping.

  He smiled. “Around the corner, sir. I’m never far, so when you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

  He started to unfasten his seat belt, and I waved him off. “I can let myself out.”

  He frowned but stayed in the car. I hid my smile. He was an old-fashioned sort of man, which I appreciated, but I could certainly open my own door.

  I hurried inside, the night air cold. After checking my coat, I strolled into the ballroom, bracing myself for another boring, but necessary, evening.

  In the two years since BAM had opened its doors, we had hit the ground running, and my company was more successful than I had dared to dream. Aiden had finished school and was now in the office full time, although he continued to take various courses. He was big on the physical aspects and how keeping your body strong helped your mind to stay strong as well. He had a regimen for himself and Maddox and me, and we worked out together daily. He was with me constantly at work and meetings but was currently under the weather, so I was solo tonight. I would call Aiden when I was done to check on him since we no longer shared living space.

  I had moved out of the house we shared not long after opening the company, deciding we needed some sort of separation in our lives. It was too difficult to be roommates, business partners, and friends. The roommate issue was the easiest to solve. Now Aiden found a place, and Maddox had his eye on a condo close to the office. I would sell the house we had shared for so many years once he moved out. He was in his last year of school yet managed to be in the office at least three times a week. His brilliance with numbers and his controlling mind-set were both evident as he juggled finishing his degree and contributing to the business. It proved to me I had made the right choice of partners. I planned to reward him the same way I rewarded Aiden—the company would purchase his condo as an investment. It was the least I could do for them both.

  I got a drink at the bar and stood on the sidelines, watching the crowd. As much as I disliked these events, they were necessary for networking. Once I’d started the company, I joined every type of business-related group I felt would behoove me. The chamber of commerce, BBB, various real estate organizations, and charities Sandy felt were best suited to the company. Aiden and I would spend the evening making contacts, listening, and filing away tidbits of information which often proved beneficial. Land coming up for sale, businesses going under, buildings being vacated. Often a casual remark overheard was all we needed to start the ball rolling. Aiden would begin investigating, Sandy would do additional research, and Maddox would crunch numbers—then we would move. Hard and fast, often before anyone else even had heard the news of the land or building going up for sale.

  A voice interrupted my musings. “Bentley Ridge, am I correct?”

  I turned, my face a mask of polite indifference. “Yes?”

  The stranger held out his hand. He was tall, heavy-set, with dark hair. “Greg Tomlin.”

  I shook his hand, his face vaguely familiar. “Have we met?”

  He chuckled, taking a sip of what I assumed to be scotch. “We were in the same economics class your last year at university before you left. Ballsy move, by the way. I’ve watched your career flourish.”

  His words sparked a memory. Greg hadn’t changed much, except to look a little older. He always sat to the side and constantly argued with the professor. It was the one class I never found boring, mostly thanks to his behavior. We had talked once or twice—comparing notes on the day’s lecture as we walked from the room. Other than that, if I saw him on campus, it was from a distance and usually with a different girl. He had quite the reputation with the female students. We didn’t run in the same circles.

  “You hated that prof. Your arguments taught me more than his lessons.”

  He rolled his eyes. “He was an idiot.”

  I lifted an eyebrow. “You didn’t hide that fact.”

  “Nope. Still don’t. I don’t suffer fools easily. Helps in my business.”

  “You were studying law, right?”

  He nodded and slid a card from his pocket, handing it to me. I returned the gesture and glanced at his.

  “I specialize in real estate,” he informed me. “Corporate.”

  I flicked the edge of the card between my thumb and index finger. I had heard of his company—in fact, it was on the short list I had of places to interview. I was looking for a new lawyer. The man I had been dealing with was retiring, and I wanted someone new, someone on the cutting edge who wanted to do more than push paper—someone hungry to be part of large deals and exciting developments. Greg’s eyes were astute but cool, his posture relaxed. Either he really didn’t care, or he was the consummate actor. Both were good traits in a lawyer.

  “Maybe we should talk.”

  He lifted his glass with a smirk. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  Aiden reached for another slice of pizza, chewing fast. “I don’t think I like him.”

  I stifled a sigh. “We don’t have to like him, Aiden. I’m not hiring him to be a friend. I need a new lawyer. You checked him out. Even you have to admit his resume is impressive.”

  “It is, but there’s something about him—something…” He tapped his finger on the conference table, frowning.

  “Something off,” Maddox supplied, sipping from a bottle of beer.

  “You too?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “Frankly, all the lawyers you’ve talked to give me the same vibe. Greg is certainly qualified. And you’re right—we don’t have to like him personally. He’s sharp, got some great connections, and is as focused on his company as we are on ours.”

  “Hmph,” was all I got from Aiden.

  I stood and went to the sideboard, pouring myself a shot of brandy. I looked out at the deserted street, the glimmer of lights from the downtown core bright in the distance. I turned, leaning against the sideboard in our conference room. The bui
lding had come a long way in two years. The offices were finished and decorated, the boardroom we were in taking up a large area of the top floor. There was a huge wooden conference table I’d had built. Comfortable chairs with our company logo emblazoned on the leather. Rich wood, deep colors, indirect lighting. The best computer equipment available on the market. My office had much the same feeling—subdued and understated. Aiden’s was brighter—his love of color evident. Maddox’s office was tone on tone gray. Calming. Sandy’s desk was semicircular with a large and modern waiting area in front of her space. No one got past her into our private offices. Thanks to Aiden’s security measures, no one got upstairs that shouldn’t be in the building. No one got near me either.

  The second floor held many staff—the number constantly growing. The main floor had a small and successful restaurant owned by an older couple who ran it well. BAM kept them busy, plus the walk-in traffic from the local merchants ensured the owners a good income. The back half of the main floor contained areas for the crews and the office of our latest hires—Jordan Hayes and Vince Morrison. Jordan was brilliant at administration and handling paperwork. Vince—or Van, as he preferred to be known—was a master carpenter and an outstanding general contractor who would oversee all my flips, which was still one of my favorite parts of my growing empire. They were going to be an integral part of our company for a long time to come. Our business was thriving, and we were still young and building.

  The sky was the limit.

  “I guess if he’s a shark, better he be on our team than somebody else’s,” Aiden mused, pushing the empty pizza box away and draining his beer. “I’d rather he bite the competitor’s ass than ours.”

  “He reminds me of someone,” Maddox muttered. “I don’t know who, though.”

  I pushed three proposals toward them. “These are the top three candidates. All qualified, successful. Greg has the best track record. The most impressive client list. And his company is still growing—like us.”

  “And the most expensive,” Maddox added.

  I had to chuckle. “In some cases, you get what you pay for. I want excellence. I want that person not to be afraid to get their hands dirty if we have to fight for a deal. I think he’d be worth it.”

  “I have to agree with you on that,” Aiden said. “He is a fighter. I don’t think he’d back down.”

  Maddox nodded and tapped Greg’s proposal. “Better he fight with us than against us. I have a feeling he’ll fight dirty, so I think we have our answer. I’d say you got yourself a new lawyer, Bent.”

  I picked up the document, Greg’s logo imprinted on the thick stationery. In all our meetings, I had never fully warmed to Greg, but I could appreciate his business savvy. He was as smart as I remembered and had no problem expressing his feelings and fighting for what he wanted. What his clients wanted. I needed that more than I needed any warm fuzzies when it came to him. I had no doubt our dealings would be professional and impersonal, which was fine. Outside a very small circle, it was what I preferred. I was hiring him to do a job, not be my friend.

  “I’ll call him in the morning.”

  Chapter 3

  A year later

  Sandy came into my office, holding a tray of steaming coffees. She placed it on the corner of my desk with a small smile. She looked like Sandy, but to those of us who knew her best, the small imperfections were there. Her hair wasn’t as flawless as usual. Her lipstick was absent. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

  “How are you today?” I asked.

  She lifted one shoulder. “Fine.”

  “Sit. Please,” I added.

  Aiden stood, offering his chair. “I warmed it up for you.”

  She patted his cheek, sitting in his spot. He pulled over a chair from the small table in my office and sat next to her.

  “How is Max doing?”

  Sandy blew out a long breath. “Actually, he’s doing fine. He says he suspected what was happening, and he’s glad to have a name to the problem and know what he, what we, are dealing with.”

  “And how are you?” Maddox asked quietly, laying his hand on her arm.

  She reached up and covered his long fingers with hers. “Scared, worried, and anxious. Trying not to let Max know.”

  “But he does,” I pointed out.

  “Yes.”

  I met Maddox’s worried eyes, hating the conversation we were about to have, yet knowing it had to happen. Sandy’s husband had been constantly unwell since retiring a year ago, and after exhaustive tests, it was discovered he had late-onset MS. She had been absent the past while, dealing with Max and all the issues they were facing, surprising me when she let me know she would be returning today and needed to talk. We all knew she was going to be leaving us to care for Max, and although we hated it, we understood. We’d had a few temps in, and while they were fine, none of them held a candle to Sandy. As Aiden pointed out, we would need two people to do the same work Sandy handled, and it would still never be the same. The office would carry on, but part of the heart of this place would be missing.

  Still, it was happening.

  I cleared my throat, the words thick and heavy in my mouth.

  “We understand, Sandy. We all hate it, but we understand. Whatever you need from us, tell us, and we’ll make this as easy as possible for you.”

  She frowned.

  “We’ll miss you terribly,” Maddox added.

  “This place isn’t going to be the same without you.” Aiden assured her.

  I leaned forward, sincere. “Whatever you need from us going forward, we’re here for you, Sandy. Always. That will never change. You’re our family. We take care of family.”

  A smile played on her lips. “I am aware of that, Bentley.”

  I sat back. “Good. Then tell us what you need.”

  “First off, I want to say thank you for all your support these past few weeks. The meals you sent, the flowers, coming to see us—Max and I appreciated all of it.”

  We all remained silent, bracing ourselves for the next words from her mouth.

  “Second, as Max quoted a few days ago, the news of my demise is greatly exaggerated.”

  “Pardon me?” I asked, unsure I had heard correctly.

  She sat back, crossing her legs and swinging one foot. “I’m not leaving BAM, Bentley.”

  “But—”

  She held up her hand. “Max has MS. He is also being treated, and his symptoms are, at this stage, manageable. We have to make changes to our house, our lifestyle, and make sure to keep up with his treatments, meds, and doctor appointments, but it’s a disease—at the moment. It is not imminent death.” Her voice shook a little as she continued. “Max and I talked at great length. He wants our lives to stay as normal as possible. He knows I love what I do. He plans on continuing his life as well. He has two books he wants to write on patient care. One about his time as a doctor. He can still be productive and a contributing member of society.”

  A mischievous smile lit her face momentarily. “Unfortunately, the skydiving and extreme snowboarding will have to put aside, but that is the price one must pay.”

  We all laughed at her drollness. Her humor broke the tension that hung in the office.

  “Max can still golf and do all the things he loves—until he can’t anymore. He doesn’t plan on taking this disease at face value. He—we—will fight it tooth and nail. New discoveries are happening, trial meds, all sorts of findings towards a cure. And until that time, we are living our lives doing what we love. And for me, this place is one of them.” She paused. “When the time comes and he needs more help, he is adamant he will hire caregivers. He wants me as his wife—not his nurse. I will play a huge role in his care but not be the main provider. He is insistent on that, and I will honor his wishes.”

  “So, you’re not leaving?”

  She shook her head. “I might push a few things off to the junior staff to free up some time. I would like to keep a fairly normal schedule, and if I need time off for appoin
tments, or if Max…” Her voice trailed off.

  “It’s fine,” I assured her, relief filling me, even as I felt a wave of shame wash over me for being relieved. “Whatever you need, we’ll work around it.”

  Aiden grabbed her hand. “As selfish as it sounds, I’m glad we’re not losing you, Sandy. I can’t imagine coming in here every day without you here.”

  “I can’t imagine not being here,” she responded, gripping his huge hand.

  “You know, I was researching some movements that might help Max stay strong. I’d be happy to come over and make sure you have the right equipment to show him. Work with him a little,” Aiden offered.

  “He’d like that.”

  “Done.”

  “Talk to Van about any changes you want to the house, Sandy,” I stated quietly. “Whatever you need to do to make Max’s life easier, the crews will handle the alterations.”

  “I don’t have much to offer but would still love to come play chess with Max,” Maddox added. “And watch over his investments we’ve been discussing.”

  Sandy smiled, this time not bothering to hide the glimmer of tears in her eyes. “You boys are so good to me.”

  “Because we love you,” Aiden said.

  “I know. I love you. All of you. Like my own.” She stood and wiped her eyes. “All right, that’s enough emotion for the day. Get back to work now and make us more millions.”

  She walked to the door and turned back, her hand on the frame. “And seriously—if the three of you think I would leave you here to run this place without me?” She shook her head. “You’d be done within a month. Let’s face it, boys. You’re the pretty faces the public sees, with the killer smiles and fancy suits, but I’m the brains behind the operation. You’d be lost without me.”

  With those words and a wink, she shut the door.

  “No shit,” Aiden muttered.

  “Truer words have never been spoken,” Maddox laughed.