But the doors opened. My father, my coach, and Sebastian’s representative walked out. The board members were with them. They all paused in the waiting room to shake hands. My dad shook each member’s hand. All of them were grinning, even Sebastian’s representative.
Miriam was the first to leave, passing by me. She slowed and remarked, “I meant what I said in there. I do think you have a promising future, and your father just made it even more promising. Come and see me at my office sometime. I’d like to speak with you.”
Sebastian’s representative went to him. Their heads bent together before Sebastian reared back, shot me a hostile look, and stormed out. The rest of his friends, Clint included, followed behind at a more sedate pace. Everyone trickled out until it was Nate, Sam, my father, my coach, and me.
My father shook hands with my coach at the door.
My coach said to me, “Keep up with your off-season training, Mason. I’ll be seeing you.”
When he left, I asked my dad, “Logan’s okay?”
James let out a deep breath. “Yeah. He’s resting at the house?”
I nodded.
“I’d like to go see him, but yes, you’re both fine.”
“How much did you pay?”
James cringed. “A lot. Let’s just leave it there.” He clasped me on the arm and squeezed. “It’s good to see you, but I haven’t missed these meetings. You boys used to be hard on the bank account, and you still are.” He became somber. “I have a feeling things aren’t going to be just fine.”
He turned to Sam. “Can I talk to you in private for a quick second?”
She straightened, and her mouth opened slightly. “Sure. Uh, yeah.”
Nate and I followed them outside. James and Sam migrated toward his vehicle. Nate and I went to mine, but we didn’t get inside. We stayed there, leaning against it, as we watched James and Sam talking.
Nate mused, “So…it’s our move next?”
My eyes narrowed. I was studying Sam as she continued talking to my dad.
I murmured, “Yeah, it’s our move.”
Finally.
SAMANTHA
Here we were.
Mason, Logan, Nate, and I were all in the living room, each in a different corner, as we looked at each other. There was a moment of silence. It was a few hours after the board meeting.
Logan hadn’t been ecstatic about Sebastian’s lack of punishment, but he couldn’t argue with only getting a suspension. James hadn’t stayed long. He’d come in, spent an hour talking with Mason and Logan, and taken off again. He mentioned he was going to Fallen Crest and seeing David, but I hadn’t asked. The less I knew about Analise, the better.
“Do I need to have a drink for this talk?” Logan broke the silence. He didn’t wait. He snapped his fingers at Nate. “My gaysome twosome, get me a beer.” He chucked a pillow at him.
Nate chucked it back. “You can walk. Get it yourself.”
Logan extended his middle finger.
Nate laughed and then the moment was done. They both quieted and turned to Mason and me. It was time. A shift happened in the air. It went from lighthearted and joking to a grave seriousness.
The butterflies started in my stomach. They weren’t the nervous kind. They were the kind where I wanted to puke and run for the next four days straight. The showdown with Sebastian wasn’t going to be pretty. I flattened my hand against my stomach, trying to calm those butterflies. I couldn’t lose anyone. That was all I was worried about.
“Okay.” Mason sat forward.
Everyone tuned into him.
He swept his gaze over the group, lingering on me for a moment. A dark emotion passed in his depths, but I couldn’t name it. My mouth became dry.
“We have to move against Sebastian.” Mason seemed unwilling to say more. He looked at Nate, Logan, and me again before he stood up.
I asked, “Where are you going?”
Mason stopped in the hallway to his room. He said to me, “I’m getting everything I have on Sebastian. It’s time to share it with you guys.”
“You have stuff on him?” Heat flared from Logan.
But Mason didn’t respond. He returned a moment later with a box in his hand. Putting it down on the coffee table, he stood back and said, “I didn’t just hire security for Sam. I hired a private investigator to look into Sebastian. He’s connected, and I wanted to know how connected.”
Nate pulled some photos from the box, musing, “You mean, to whom he’s connected, right?”
“Holy shit,” Logan muttered under his breath. He pulled out a pile of papers. His forehead wrinkled. The sides of his mouth turned down. “There are some big names here, big brother. Who did you hire for this job?”
Mason sat down again. “The same guy Dad uses.”
“Right on.” Logan bobbed his head. “Are you the future Mrs. James Kade? Does Analise have her throne threatened by his own son?” Logan winked at me. “Not to be a dick, but Mama Psychopath scares the shit out of me. I don’t think I’d be up for another round against her. I think we were safe to escape with our clothes on our backs from the first round against her.”