49 - New Beginnings

I’d borrowed the same camera Sky used to record Owen. So, pretending to check my shirt, I pressed the button to record. Sean, fully dressed now, slowly walked toward me. “I’m waiting,” he said.

“I came to discuss your involvement in Max, Owen, and the Lush family’s embezzlement and money laundering,” I stated, careful not to fold my arms over my chest like I wanted to. It would cover the camera.

“What of it, love?” Sean said. “Did you want in on it? It would make you rich. Well … richer.” He said it like it made all the sense in the world, like it wasn’t an invitation to break the law.

“Hardly. You pretended to have an interest in me while secretly destroying my company behind my back, and for what? Now you’ve been exposed for the cruel, two-faced thief you are.” I stared him down.

“Don’t be so sensitive, love. I did what I had to do to get what I wanted. It’s just business,” Sean said, lighting a cigar.

“Have you never heard of ethics?” I scoffed. “In business, there should be ethics.”

“Not in my business, love.” Sean blew out a puff of smoke.

I curled my lip in distaste. “Then maybe it’s time you resign.”

“Or maybe,” Sean drawled, “you can look the other way if you don’t like it. Because, baby, I’m not going anywhere.”

“So, you’re just going to keep stealing money from Lush Productions and funneling it into illegal activities?” I arched a brow.

Sean took another hit off the cigar before putting it out. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do. It’s not like you have any evidence against me. There is nothing you can do to stop me.”

“We’ll see about that,” I said, turning on my heel.

Sean called out to me. “Let me know if you change your mind.

“I won’t,” I said over my shoulder, closing the door behind me so hard it rattled.

I was so done with Sean, with Owen, and with the Lush family. There was just too much corruption seeded throughout their lives and our business. I had a feeling that if I didn’t separate myself, I would go down with them when it all went up in flames. So, resolved, I knew what I had to do.

But first, I needed a fallback plan. So, the next evening, I called Nolan from my car. He answered on the first ring. “Fay?” he said.

“Hi, Nolan.” I wasn’t yet at the point of calling him Dad. “Do you mind if I come over? I have something I’d like to discuss.”

“Of course. We’re both home,” he replied. “Just let yourself in.”

“Thanks. See you soon.” We hung up, and I drove across town to Nolan’s mansion.

Alex’s beat-up car was parked in their driveway, where Alex was giving it a wash. His shirt was wet and stuck to him, giving me a good view of his defined muscles as he stretched over the vehicle.

“Wow, will you do mine, too?” I joked, and he jumped. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Fay!” he exclaimed, his dimples appearing as he grinned. “I’d hug you, but I don’t want to get you soaked.”

“That’s okay. You can hug me later.” I laughed. “Are you dry enough to go inside? Or should I ask Nolan to come out here?”

“It’s a nice day out,” Alex stated. “Have him come outside.”

“Alright.” I ascended the front steps and entered the mansion. The smell of cooking meat greeted me, so I went to the kitchen, knowing I’d find Nolan there.

“I thought you said you could barely cook,” I said, a playful note in my voice.

“I’m learning,” he said, flipping a burger patty on the stove.

“Alex wants to talk outside. Are you almost done with those?” I inhaled deeply. “They smell amazing.”

“This is the last one,” he said, removing it from the pan. “I’ll just put these on buns and bring them and the condiments. Do you want cheese or no cheese?”

I smiled. “You should know by now that I’ll never say no to cheese.”

Nolan shrugged. “Tastes can change.”

“Not for cheese,” I stated, doubling down.

“Have your tastes for Alex changed?” he pried. I could see he wasn’t going to give that up.

“No,” I admitted.

He gave me a knowing smile. “So, Alex is your cheese. I knew it.”

I laughed. “Please don’t ever say that again.”

He frowned. “Was it too … cheesy?”

I groaned. “You’re killing me.”

“What, are you lactose joke intolerant?” Nolan teased.

“Scratch that,” I said. “If you don’t stop, I’m leaving.”

Nolan laughed, raising both hands in surrender. “Fine. I’m done. But you have to admit those were good.”

“I admit nothing.”

He shrugged, lifting the tray of burgers. “These are done. Let’s go outside. I know you wanted to talk. I find that talking is best done over a meal.”

“Sure.” We went out to the patio area, which was surrounded by lush gardens full of baby’s breath and lilies of various colors. It was around six in the evening, and the sun had just begun to set, casting an ethereal glow over everything. It looked like a fairy tale.

I sat next to Alex on a stone bench, and Nolan sat across from me. Taking a bite of my burger, I moaned. It was delicious. “What did you season these with?” I asked between mouthfuls.

“Gourmet burger seasoning and garlic butter with provolone cheese. I had mushrooms for it, but I accidentally left them out overnight, and they’re in bad shape.” Nolan gave an apologetic smile. “I take it you like it?”

“It’s wonderful.”

Nolan beamed. “Great! Now, what did you want to talk about?”

“I’m going to resign from Lush Productions. The entire company has become tainted by corruption, and I’m not going down with it. I’ll sell my shares and start fresh. I’d like to do that with you,” I said.

Nolan nodded. “What did you have in mind?”

“Could I work for you at Lyndon Enterprises?” I asked. “I have marketing, business, and executive leadership experience, and I can start right away.”

Nolan set his burger down. “I think that’s a great idea! I recently had to fire my regional vice president. I could start you there, and once you’ve proven you know the business and its inner workings, I can promote you.”

My eyes widened in surprise. I hadn’t expected such a high position right off the bat, but I was extremely grateful. “Thank you!”

“Of course. You’re my daughter. I’m just happy one of my kids is showing interest. Alex here”—he gestured to his stepson—”only wants to pursue creative studies. I can’t get him to take any interest in the business he would one day inherit.”

“Hey!” Alex mumbled, his mouth full. “That’s not true. I’ve worked part-time as your secretary.”

Nolan rolled his eyes. “You did. For three weeks. Then you moved on to something else. I’m surprised you’ve stayed in school this long, but I’m glad to see you sticking to something for once.”

“What can I say? I’m a free spirit,” Alex said, taking another bite.

“Indeed.” Nolan’s eyes twinkled. “But it’s part of what makes you you.”

I finished eating, thanking Nolan for the meal, then I decided to check on Luca. I swung by his estate, planning to make sure he was doing okay. But I wasn’t prepared for what I found when I got there.

“You’re not wearing your sling!” I scolded.

“It made me look weak,” he said with a sheepish smile.

“Well, you are weak if you can’t handle looking injured for a few measly weeks. I am so disappointed in you right now.” I put my hands on my hips.

“Okay, Mom,” he teased. “I’ll put it on, but only because you’re so worried about me.”

“You should care about your recovery.” I glared at him. “I don’t believe you right now.”

“Oh, I care. I’ll need both my arms for the things I plan to do with you. And to you.” He winked.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“But you love it,” he said, smirking.

“Sometimes, you make me question whether I should.”

“What is there to question? You and I are good together. You’re just afraid because you’ve been hurt before. But I will never hurt you like he did. He never loved you, but I … I adore you.” He grabbed my hand in both of his. “Stop fighting me, Fay. Just give in.”

I let out a breath. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“I’ll try.”

He brought my knuckles to his lips. “I’ll be a man you won’t have to question, a man you feel safe with. Someday, you’ll see that. There is nothing that could tempt me away from you. Fay, you’re the only woman I will ever want.”

I melted. When he said things like that, it was hard not to. And maybe … just maybe, I believed him.