“No,” Sebastian said. “He called from the house. Sharon wasn’t feeling well. They were going to head back to Boston, I believe.”
“Ah. Well, there you have it, but no worries.” The older man raised a weathered hand. “Your father isn’t here, but your grandfather is, and you can call me Gerald.”
My eyes shot to Sebastian’s grandfather. “What?”
“Garrett’s father,” Sebastian explained, frowning slightly. “Isn’t that why you came today?”
I couldn’t look away from his grandfather. I had my own grandfather. Somewhere, that would make sense but not with my life.
“Sam?”
The corners of Gerald’s eyes turned down, and his head cocked to the side. He murmured, “You didn’t know about your grandfather?”
I found myself shaking my head.
Gerald glanced at Sebastian. “You were supposed to tell her.” His tone was disapproving.
Sebastian flushed, tugging at the collar of his shirt. He sent me a furtive look under his eyelids before lifting his shoulders high. “I thought Garrett had. He said he was going to see his daughter last night. Plus, I told you there were other issues going on.”
“You’re talking about James Kade’s boys?” his grandfather barked back. If he’d been patient, it was all used up. Sharp impatience flared up in his face, and he was almost glaring at his grandson. “I told you to deal with all that nonsense long ago. I want James Kade in. Are you telling me that you haven’t dealt with that?”
“Well…” Sebastian sent me another quick look. “I…no, I haven’t. James Kade’s sons hate me. I thought you knew that. They wouldn’t want to come in anyway—because of me.”
“James Kade was approved to come in long ago.”
“Grandpa,” Sebastian started.
“No, I don’t want to hear it. I’ll be talking to your father, but you are not above the board’s decisions.”
“I’m your grandson. They hate me, literally hate me. Mason’s the one who burned my house down last year.”
“Good.”
I stumbled back a step.
The force of that word spoke volumes. Gerald Sebastian commanded authority, and judging from this sharp exchange, he wasn’t used to not having someone do as he told.
Gerald stabbed his finger in the air, snapping at Sebastian. “That means he has initiative, and he’s someone we want in the organization. You were given an order. You have failed with that order.”
His voice kept rising in anger, but no one came to see what the problem was. Conversations quieted. People were looking over, now watching, but no one seemed surprised.
“She’s here.” Sebastian flung his arm out toward me. “I brought Ben’s granddaughter into the fold.”
“Bullshit,” Gerald grunted. “You’ve been using your sister this entire time. Don’t try to pull one over on me.”
“But—”
“Your job was to bring Mason Kade in. Through him, we were going to bring James Kade into the fold.”
Sebastian looked away, but he folded his hands together in front of him. He slightly turned away as one foot shifted backward. “Grandpa,” he said again, his lips pressed tightly together, “I think it’s a mistake. James Kade doesn’t need to be brought in. He’s attached to Analise Strattan, and everyone knows her background. She can’t be given the support The Network would be handing to her. She’s been watched. We’re all aware of how she’s acted throughout her life.”
“Don’t you dare try to tell me what to decide. You’re in the wrong, Park. The decision was made long ago. Ben wasn’t aware of Analise’s deception when she and Garrett were in college. All these years, he’s been cheated from knowing his granddaughter. I won’t stand for it any longer. Now,” Gerald gestured to me with the same stabbing motion, “take her to the meeting room and fill her in on everything. I want the Kade boys here within the hour, too.” He turned to me, gentling his tone a little bit. “When this boy is done, you come and find me. I’ll personally introduce you to your grandfather.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I nodded, feeling dazed.
“Good.” He clapped Sebastian on the shoulder. “Go on. Fill her in, and drop whatever silly issues are going on between you and her boyfriend.” He moved his head up and down in a slow and exaggerated motion. “You know what to do.”
Sebastian’s shoulders dropped an inch, and he nodded back, his head hanging down. “Yes, sir.” Everything about him was submissive.
I was holding my breath. The exchange I’d just witnessed was overloading my senses.
Sebastian’s gaze found mine when his grandfather left the room. He nodded behind me. “It’s down that hallway.”
“Sebastian, what’s going on?”
“I’ll explain everything.” He moved around a couple. “Just follow me.”
We went through the kitchen and out to another hallway that led to an adjoined building.