Page 42 of See You Maybe
It meant protecting their family and ensuring the Bloom legacy—not just for his siblings but for their children. Power equaled protection. Declan had witnessed it on both sides of his family. He didn’t have the luxury of falling in love like they did.
Without a word, Declan straightened his sleeves and made his way to where Fiona and her father stood, ignoring the people who tried to gain his attention.
“Declan,” Alan greeted him with a wide smile. “My daughter was just telling me you're heading back to Atlanta tomorrow.” He turned an indulgent look on his daughter. “I explained that business has to come first. Those purses of hers won’t buy themselves.” The man guffawed at his own joke.
Declan didn’t smile until he pictured what any of his mothers would say if this jackass made such a misogynistic comment in front of them.
“I know Declan has to work,” Fiona simpered. “I was only hoping he would go with me to the Nutcracker this week. I’m on the board of the ballet, you know. It’s important I be there. Appearances are everything.”
Fiona’s eyes were on his face, implying Declan should understand the importance of what she was saying. But for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why her needing to go to the ballet had anything to do with him.
“Plenty of time for that, darling,” Alan patted his daughter’s hand.
Like a movie, his future with Fiona played out in front of him. Fiona would be on his arm in the latest designer gown at these events, ready to wage war in her petty feuds over who might have monopolized whose stylist, and who had been selected to chair which charity committee. It was enough to make him want to hurl the ice sculpture, poised on the table next to him, to the ground.
Then a glimpse of what his life might have been, flashed in front of him, had he only made different decisions. Olivia smiling up at him first thing in the morning, her cheeks still flushed from sleep. Their children…
He shook it off.
I’m losing my fucking mind.
It didn’t matter what might have been. This was the world that he lived in, and he would do what needed to be done for his family. It wasn’t about the money. His brothers and sister were all successful in their own right, but the power that came with the Bloom name and fortune is what he wanted for them. What he needed to keep them all safe.
Eventually, even wielding the McGrath’s influence and his brother’s blood connection to the Riordans, along with the resources that came with being a Bloom, hadn’t been enough, and Seamus’s trouble caught up to him. But it was the power of the Bloom name that saved his brother from the worst of his consequences. His older half-brother may not have enjoyed his years in prison, but he was alive.
Which was a lot fucking better than being tortured and murdered by the people he’d double crossed, Declan thought, knowing what would have happened if he hadn’t stepped in.
“I saw Armstrong Electronics was Bloom Communications’ guest tonight.” Declan said, ignoring both Carrols’ obvious attempts to push him into declaring a commitment.
Alan’s eyes turned shrewd. “Yes. Interesting group. The son is an idiot, but the rest of them seem competent enough.”
“That hardly matters.”
Alan pursed his lips. “True. Though as part of the deal, Chris is dangling the carrot that those who choose to stay on will still have a say in how their company is run.”
“We both know that won’t be the case.” Declan met the man’s eyes. “All he wants is XEROS.”
Alan lifted a shoulder and sipped his drink. “Same as you.”
But I’m not lying to her about what’s on the table.
Did it matter? This was business, and there was no room for sentimentality.
Alan swirled his drink. “If Chris pulls this off, it will be hard to remove him at the annual shareholder meeting… regardless of…” The man’s eyes went to his daughter, and Fiona smiled at Declan. He ignored his sudden nausea. Alan continued, “Any connection between us. My shares won’t be enough to push you over. You need this to win the battle to sway the other board members to your side.”
“I’m not concerned.”
“Good. Ah, here is your beautiful sister. Cara, it’s been a long time. I hear congratulations are in order.”
Cara smiled at Alan, but Declan could see that her eyes were troubled. His brows immediately drew together when she tucked an arm through his. Cara couldn’t stand networking, and she hated these formal social events. She wouldn’t interrupt unless it was important.
“Thank you,” Cara said, with a radiant and false smile that reminded Declan of all the years she had attended these events for their father. “I’m sorry, but I need to steal my brother for a minute.”
Fiona’s lips tightened, and she barely concealed her scowl. Declan turned his shoulder to her.
“Of course,” Alan interjected, to diffuse the tense moment. “Fiona, your godmother is here. We should say hello.”
Not waiting for them to walk away, Cara tugged Declan to the side, away from the small groups of people, and turned her back to the room.