Page 109 of Dirty Rival
“I told dad I’m forcing his retirement.” I look at Gabe. “Has he called you?”
“No, and Cat told me what you said to him, but how the fuck are you going to force him out?”
“I know something he did that he doesn’t want anyone else to know.”
“Then why the fuck haven’t we gotten him out before now?” Gabe says. “Let’s do it.”
“You’re really going to do it?” Cat asks.
“Yes. I’ve wanted him out since I read that letter from mom.”
“You have?”
“Yes, Cat. I have. I didn’t know who he was. I’m not him. I’m really not him after meeting Carrie.”
“Do you want me to talk to her?” she asks.
“No,” I say. “Not yet. Maybe, but I don’t want you being connected to this. I want her to know you as you. She needs to know we aren’t like him. I know she saw the real you yesterday, at least.”
“He needs to know we’re united,” Gabe says, drawing our attention back to our father. “The three of us. That’s not something he’s used to. It’ll let him know our role in his bullshit is over.” His cellphone rings, and when he answers his lips curve. “Send him up.” He disconnects. “He’s here. How well-timed.”
“Yes, it is,” Cat says. “Because I’m still angry about him making a scene at Reese’s party.”
“Anyone want a drink while he comes up?” Gabe asks, looking at Cat.
“Stop trying to make me announce that I’m pregnant,” she says. “And why would I drink? I need to be here and present for this.”
“I’ll go get him,” Gabe says. “He should be at the door any minute.” The bell rings. “And there he is.” He rounds the island and I step further into the kitchen to allow him to pass. Once Gabe is gone, I look at Cat. “Let’s go to the living room. I don’t want us all trapped in this small space with him. I actually think he will find that empowering, a place he can throw his power around and have it bounce off the walls onto us.”
“Good idea,” she says, hurrying forward and out of the kitchen, down the stairs.
I follow her and right about the time we’re standing on the far side of the couch facing the door, Gabe and our father walk in the door. They join us, the two of them facing us until Gabe steps to the opposite side of Cat, the three of us facing him. “Isn’t this cozy,” he says. “My three children, whom I love.”
“They’re with me,” I say. “You’re out.”
His lips twitch and he looks at me. “I’ll leave the firm, but my payout will be substantial.”
“It’ll be what I say it is,” I say. “And we both know why.”
“I don’t think you have the balls to act on that threat.”
“You don’t believe that or you wouldn’t be here trying to recruit Gabe to your side. You’re out.”
“Maybe later, when work isn’t everything to you,” Cat says, “we can try to be a real family.”
He looks at her. “You have no place in this conversation. You walked away from the firm. Stay out of it.”
“Perhaps the only one of us that was smart about her life,” Gabe replies dryly.
“All this for West’s daughter?” my father demands, turning his attention back to me.
“It’s for all of us. It’s for mom and yes, for me, it’s also for Carrie. The war is over. There’s closure. West Senior is out and so are you. A new generation now runs both companies.”
He stares at me, his eyes glinting hard. “I’ll send you my terms. Meet them and I’ll leave quietly.” He turns to walk toward the door but stops short turning to pin me in a stare. “But I’m never out, boy. Remember that.” This time he rotates fully and leaves.
When the door is shut, the three of us stand there, seconds tick by before Cat says, “A new generation. Mom is cheering from above.”
I scrub my jaw, thinking about Carrie. “I need to go.”