“Oh?” I froze at the sound of Larry’s name. He was on my hit list, too, though he wasn’t at the top. It seemed to me that Larry had had a large role in everything that had gone on during the first years of my parents’ dating.
“He’s worried she might know things that we don’t want to come out. Things that could hurt us.”
“Where would she have found out these things?”
“Her father might have told her.”
“You think he told her everything?”
“I don’t know. That’s what we have to find out.”
“You think she wants a piece of the company?”
“She probably thinks she deserves a cut.”
“She most probably does.”
“She doesn’t deserve anything, Jakob.”
“Why don’t you tell her that, then?”
“You know it’s more complicated than that.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“I was thinking about that island . . .” His voice trailed off.
“What island?” I shook my head in frustration, not following along with him.
“The island you just bought. Maybe she could have a nice trip.”
“At my resort?”
“No . . . the deserted one.” His voice was stiff.
“You want me to fly her to a deserted island? You think she’s going to agree to that?”
“I’m not suggesting anything right now. I just want us to consider all of our options.”
“This is your problem, David, not mine. I really don’t care what happens to Bradley, Incorporated.”
“It’s not my fault I wasn’t born the bastard.” Superiority rang out in his tone and I clutched the phone. I hated David with a passion. This weak-willed, smug, spineless asshole really thought he was better than me just because he’d been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. How badly I wanted to tell him that he was running his beloved company into the ground. He didn’t see it yet, and neither did the investors, but I knew exactly what was going on. I followed every move they made and every company they purchased. David had made some foolhardy investments and, unbeknownst to him, I was the one keeping him afloat right now. I was the owner of almost every company that he had major stocks in. I held his livelihood in my hands. And I could crush him whenever I wanted. But now wasn’t the time.
“It wasn’t my mother’s fault that your dad was a bastard, either,” I said softly, wishing I could see his face.
“I’m sorry that you hated our father. He was a good man.”
“I have to go, David.” I walked over to the couch and sat down, my head starting to pound.
“Before you go, I wanted to invite you to the annual company ball. It’s this weekend.”
“I don’t know.” I made a face. I had no interest in going to the ball.
“Steve will be there, and I want you to meet my girlfriend, Roma.”
“How is Steve?” I thought about the awkward young man who had worked for Bradley, Inc. since he was a teenager. Our father had taken him under his wing and Steve had almost become like a third brother—though neither David nor I really liked him and I was pretty sure the feeling was mutual. Guess that’s what passed for brotherhood in the Bradley family.
“He’s fine.” David’s voice was low. “Though if Bianca goes digging, she could upset the balance between us all. Steve especially.”
“Well, you know, the sins of men.” I looked through the window.
“No, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The sins of men always come back to haunt them.”
“So you’re not going to help me with Bianca?” He sounded angry now and I knew that I had wound him up too much. David was like a delicate flower. You had to be extremely careful when handling him or he would break.
“Oh, I’ll help you. We can talk this weekend, at the ball.”
“Great.” David sounded satisfied. “Oh, and Jakob?”
“Yes?”
“Bring a date.” And with that David hung up the phone. I sat back on the couch and looked around the opulent living room for a few seconds before smiling. Everything was coming into place; a little ahead of schedule, but I didn’t mind. I would finally get the revenge I’d been thinking about for what seemed like half my life. I’d take down London, Larry, and then David. I was saving David for last. The takedown of my brother would be the victory I’d savor the most.
two
“Jakob, some people say it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, I’m telling you that’s not true.” My mother’s face was anxious. “If I could take back having loved so hard, I would have.”
“It’s not your fault you loved Dad so hard.” I grabbed her hands. “He was a fool for letting you go. I’m sure he regrets it.”