Rage shot through Cal. His fingers curled into fists. “And you’re a damn coward. Instead of fighting for what you wanted, you slunk away. Now you want to come back here and take the company because you think it’s easy. You know nothing about this company.”
Tristan raised his voice. “I know when I asked for your backup, you screwed me. You watched me walk without a glance back. I’ll never forgive you for that.”
“It wasn’t the right time!” Cal yelled. “I begged you to wait. Instead, you got bullheaded and pushed too hard, too fast. I had no choice, especially once Dalton followed you. One of us had to stay.”
Dalton threw up his hands. “I’m tired of both of you. Whine and bitch when you always had more than me. Dad treated me like crap.”
“He recognized you had a gift,” Cal said. “He treated all of us like crap. I just took it instead of heading out.”
Tristan glared. “Don’t get all high and mighty, Cal. You probably planned it that way. You always wanted what was mine.”
“It was all of ours to take or leave,” Cal said. “You made your choice.”
“Well, I’m making another one. This time I’m fighting for Pierce Brothers. Whether you like it or not.”
They stared at each other. The tension crackled like a live wire between them, ready for a drop of water to fully explode.
“There will be nothing to fight for if we don’t deliver this house,” Cal finally said. “We have three months left.”
Tristan’s face reflected cold civility. “I’ll do what needs to be done. But once the terms are met, things are going to change. Whether you like it or not.”
Tristan left.
Dalton cursed and gave the worktable a vicious kick. “His ego is out of control. He needs to get laid.”
Cal groaned and rubbed his temples. “I don’t know who he is anymore.”
Dalton cocked his head and studied him. “Maybe you never knew either of us,” he said softly. “Maybe you saw exactly what you wanted to.”
Cal jerked back. “What the hell does that mean?”
Dalton picked up his tool case. “Nothing. Never mind. I’m outta here.”
Cal watched his brother walk away. The house fell quiet except for the soft creak of wood settling and the hum of crickets. Each time he hoped they were growing a tad closer, they had a blowout. Now Tristan wanted to yank away control of Pierce Brothers, and Dalton spouted confusing philosophical statements he probably didn’t even understand himself. All Cal wanted to do was finish the house and present the lawyer with the profit margin. The rest he’d deal with later. If he thought about trying to build a relationship with his brothers and finishing the house and trying to figure out his relationship with Morgan all at the same time, his head would frickin’ explode.
Cal left the house, thoughts of his brothers and broken family following him home.
chapter seventeen
Morgan poked her head into Sydney’s office and waved. The redhead was chatting on the phone while typing furiously on the computer, several files open in front of her. Sydney smiled back, motioning with her head to wait.
Since that fateful night of Morgan’s arrest, Sydney had become a close friend. The woman had a wonderful sense of humor, as well as a sharp directness Morgan appreciated, and made sure a fun female event was scheduled once a week. For the first time, she’d discovered the value of hanging with another strong woman who had her own challenges, yet faced them with her chin up and a positive attitude. She’d finally met Becca and enjoyed a Disneyfest of princess movies and popcorn. The little girl looked exactly like Sydney and had a wicked sense of mischief that charmed her immediately. Morgan was already half in love with her and was looking forward to spending more time with the dynamic female duo.
Sydney clicked off the phone and rolled her eyes. “Please tell me we’re going out tonight. This place has exploded, and I swear, all I can think about is wine.”
Morgan laughed. “Sure, tonight is good.”
“Good. Becca has been begging for our babysitter to come over and play, so I have no guilt. Sometimes she orders me to go out, almost like she senses I need adult time. Four years old, and she’s already brilliant, with a stubborn streak. Lord help me with the teenage years.”
Brady came out of the conference room with a harried look on his face. “I gotta get out of here,” he muttered. Dark hair caught back in a ponytail, his usual polished demeanor held a touch of the desperation. “Sydney, if anyone calls, tell them I’m working from home. This is like a pit of pythons, and I’m not getting swallowed whole today. How are you, Morgan?”