I was the heir apparent, but David was the next in line.
“Both, actually. He is the VP of human relations over at Fitzgerald. You should be able to get him there.”
I was the VP of finance and marketing, officially, but I also ran Fitzgerald Chrome as the CEO. Clear delineation made between the two of us.
“Yes, sir.” Lily nodded then turned and walked out of my office to her own. She would do exactly as I bade without question. That’s what I paid her for.
I’d never been one for rivalries, and I’d avoided David at any cost. I didn’t want to do what my father begged of me. I didn’t want to execute him.
It was the final step in my development, according to my father. But it was insane. He was my brother and my father’s son. He loved him. Loved us both.
If he was even capable of love.
I wouldn’t do it unless I had to, but my father was starting to send messages. Little notes telling me that I wasn’t going to get out of it this easily. I had to find him. I had to warn him.
Or I had to kill him.
Joanna
I stared at the letter on my computer screen, searching it for some reason not to send it. For some reason not to print it. But I couldn’t. The more I thought about the dinner last night, the more I realized that Greyson’s father was right. I was going to have to live the life my Aunt lived. The life my mother couldn’t live. At least not while I was married to Greyson. Still, I wasn’t ready to call it quits. At least not yet. So I called it a “leave of absence” surely they would allow that, right?
To Whom it May Concern,
Due to life circumstances I will be taking a leave of absence from UMBC effective immediately. I appreciate the opportunity to join such a dedicated cohort, but studies will have to continue independently for the time being.
I’ve appreciated the chance to study and earn my degrees. I will take what I’ve learned with me as I enter a new path in life’s journey, and I hope to return to UMBC.
Respectfully,
Joanna O’Brien
Dammit. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I was getting married, and I had to leave my entire life behind. All because of some stupid tryst. All because my uncle was more concerned with finding a way to bring the Fitzgerald’s down from inside. It was all so fucked up, and somehow I was caught in the middle.
Not somehow. I knew how. I couldn’t say no to Greyson. Fuck, he was a weakness I couldn’t afford. One I couldn’t say no to.
I buried my head in my hands and tried to think of a way out of this mess. It was impossible.
A knock on the door interrupted me. I silently thanked them and stood to answer the door.
“Who is it?” I asked, politely.
“You won’t believe this, but we’ve met.”
“Oh, we have?” I asked. He did look awfully familiar. I opened the door but left the chain on. “How?”
“Last July we were at a mixer together. I’d just finished my MBA at UMBC, and you were there, looking absolutely stunning, in an emerald dress.”
I remembered the party. I remembered that dress, but- oh- I suddenly remembered him. He was a nice guy, said hello to me. Asked me a couple of questions, about my life. I got hailed by a graduate student in my department, or rather, my prospective department.
I remembered that smile.
“You remember?” he asked.
“Uh, yes,” I said.
“I still wish I’d gotten your number.” That cocky smile that was the one I remembered.
“Is that why you are here?” I asked, confused. How would he have known to find me?
“What? No. I’m David, Greyson’s brother.” I looked through the peephole to see a strong, sturdy face staring back at me, and when I saw those eyes, the same eyes as Greyson, I knew he wasn’t lying. Besides, security wouldn’t have let him up if he wasn’t authorized.
“I wasn’t aware Greyson had a brother,” I said as I opened the door.
That smile, it was the same as Greyson’s too.
“Well, half-brother,” he said slowly as he entered the penthouse. “I haven’t been up here in ages. Really love what Grey’s done with the place.” He took a seat on the leather chair and looked up at me. “I wanted to come and wish you luck. I heard about your upcoming nuptials and thought that you might want to talk. Get to know the man you are marrying from a… different perspective.”
I narrowed my eyes and looked at him anew. This wasn’t a friendly visit. No, this man wanted something. I could see it all over his face now that I was looking for it.
“What do you mean?” I asked, skeptical. I was second-guessing letting him in. Security did, after all, let my uncle up. I needed to speak to Greyson about that, actually.