Page 29 of A Forever Love
“Our team has tried multiple times.” Oscar places an arm around his wife. “This person is fucking everywhere, and now I’m starting to worry they’re someone in the house.”
Kristy leans forward. “It might not appear as menacing as some of your other cases, but as a mother, I’m terrified of sending my son outside knowing there’s someone out there who knows more about him than I do. I knew Charlie was fond of superheroes, but I was unaware he liked Batman the most due to a childhood experience. At the age of four, he got lost in a cave while hiking.”
Kristy is Oscar’s second wife, and not Charlie’s biological mother. But I’ve seen them together multiple times to know her love for him knows no bounds. As much as I want to help the Hawthornes, a nagging feeling tells me this case is not for us.
“Privacy is a lost concept these days. It’s very easy to find out anyone’s likes and dislikes. I genuinely believe your security team will have all the answers if they question your staff.”
“We have done that, and more than once.” Oscar gets up and paces the floor. The smoke of his cigar rising up, aiming to reach the tall ceilings. “We need outside help, that much is clear to us. Kings Security is unquestionably our first preference, but if you guys won’t take the case, I’d unfortunately have to find someone else. Just so you’re aware, we have a scheduled meeting with Hades Security tomorrow.”
“But we’re hoping we won’t need to attend that,” Kristy chimes in hurriedly.
An uneasy silence blankets us, and I’m not thrilled about Oscar cornering me like this. However, before I can encourage him to go ahead and meet that insufferable Hades, with memories of his interactions with Merida still fresh in my mind, Uncle Connor clears his throat. “What time are you meeting Shawn Hades?”
“Eleven a.m.,” Oscar replies while his face remains impassive.
I wonder if, as a successor of the Hawthorne empire, he’s trained not to let his cards show to an audience.
Uncle Connor’s gaze briefly meets mine before he turns back to the Hawthornes. “You’ll have our response by nine.”
* * *
“What are you thinking?” Uncle Connor’s question hangs in the air as I pour Scotch into two glasses at the bar in his home.
“I’m leaning toward this being an inside job.” I slide one of the glasses over to him and settle onto the couch. “I don’t believe whoever is behind this intends serious harm. It could be a kid of one of their staff members, someone who has been observing Charlie closely and wants to be his friend. My impression is that the Hawthornes are blowing this out of proportion. They need to give their personal security a bit more time. I have a hunch this case will resolve itself within a few weeks.” As Uncle Connor’s response remains delayed, I pivot my seat to face him. “What? You don’t agree?”
“I do,” he responds, offering me a smile. “You said everything I thought of the case.”
“But…”
“But you missed the point of why Oscar and Kristy are blowing it out of proportion. It doesn’t matter that Charlie belongs to the richest family in town—they’d have done the same in any case. A parent goes to great lengths to protect their child, Carter.”
And sometimes that means not having them at all.
“This case doesn’t align with my vision for the company. I fear it’ll prove to be a time kill.”
Kings Security has been awarded Best Security Company in the country, and I’ve received the Best CEO award for three consecutive years, a feat that has only been accomplished by Uncle Connor until now. The next annual award ceremony is fast approaching, and I’ll be damned if I don’t become the first person to win the award for a fourth consecutive year.
Life has already taken too freaking much from me.
“This high-profile case will undoubtedly attract significant media attention. I’m sure once it’s resolved, Shawn Hades will spare no time in boasting about the unconventional methods his company used to safeguard Charlie Hawthorne, the future heir of the Hawthorne estate.”
“Are you baiting me to take it? You don’t have to play these games.” My grip tightens around the glass.
“I’m showing you a potential reality. The award function is drawing near. This is all the ammunition Shawn Hades needs to dethrone you and Kings Security.”
Dammit!
Uncle Connor takes another sip of his drink before starting again. “Plus, Oscar is Clementine’s brother. The Hawthornes are family of Keith’s, and Merida is now living closer to them. Sometimes in life you do things without weighing the profits and losses.”
“I don’t recall you ever doing that.” I raise an eyebrow. Yet, in my mind, I’ve already arrived at a decision.
“You don’t need to replicate all my missteps,” he quips, offering a wink as he places his empty glass on the table, while mine remains almost full. At the end of the day, you’re the CEO, and the final decision rests with you.”
“I’ll give Oscar a call in the morning.” I slide my glass next to his without taking another sip.
Uncle Connor joins me at his door, but before I can step out, he tugs on my hand. I know what’s coming.
“It’s been four years. You cannot live at Lily’s house forever, Carter. Sell that fucking place and move back to one of your apartments in the city.”