Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty-Four

C olby had never seen her father look so nervous. Her Aunt kissed Cyrus on the cheek. She stood on tiptoe and whispered into his ear, “You’ve got this.”

It was surreal to see him with another woman, but it was time. Colby made the first move and walked over to them. Her smile widened as she extended her hand. “I wondered when my dad would finally introduce us.”

Cyrus visibly relaxed. “Colby, this is Robyn Baxter...my girlfriend. Robyn, this is my daughter.”

Robyn’s smile brightened at Cyrus for putting a title on their relationship. She vigorously shook Colby’s hand. It was clear Robyn was nervous too. “We both wanted to make sure it was the right time, but I’m glad it’s finally happening.”

“My dad’s been beaming lately, and now I know why. So, thank you for putting that smile back on his face.”

Cyrus tipped his head over to Liam, who had quietly come to stand next to Colby. He pulled Liam in for a hug. “Good to see you here tonight.”

“I know I’m not officially a part of the Lockwood Racing family, but no matter what, I’ll always be here to support.”

Lila leaned over to Brian. “Is this part of the surprise? Did you know Uncle Cyrus was bringing a date?”

“None of this has my imprint on it. I had no idea Cyrus was bringing anyone, but it’s a welcomed surprise.”

Patiently, Liam stood by, waiting for his opportunity to talk to Colby alone. She chatted with Robyn and her father for a while. Then the room started to fill up with more people from Lockwood Racing, and she was pulled into many different conversations. Colby was truly the belle of the ball.

Liam would wait. He’d wait forever if he had to.

Lila was antsy, glancing back toward the entrance. She hoped Carrington wouldn’t show.

When Lila and Colby had a moment together, she whispered softly, “You’re beaming. Would it have anything to do with Liam?”

“I’m beaming?”

“You know you are. Have you two had a chance to talk?” Lila asked.

Colby nibbled her lower lip. “We exchanged hellos, but we haven’t really talked all night. I’m not sure what to even say to him.”

Lila giggled. “Girl...the heat between the two of you is doing enough talking. We all know what y’all are trying to communicate. Why fight it?”

“I’m not fighting anything.” Colby laughed. “God, he does look so good, but our relationship is non-existent at the moment.”

“The way Liam’s eyes have been following you all night, I say just have sex already. You can figure out the relationship stuff later.”

“Enough about me and Liam. What about you and Brian? You two look happy.”

Lila agreed. “I don’t ever recall being this happy. I just pray we can maintain it.”

“You deserve it, Lila.”

Anxiousness was seeping back into Lila’s consciousness. “Everything I want and need is right here in this room. However, that could change at any minute.”

“Why would you say that?” Colby asked, her brows knitted together in confusion.

Lila shifted uncomfortably, looking down and fiddling with her hands. “Remember my ex that I told you about?”

“Yeah?”

“Well . . . he might be coming.”

Colby’s eyebrows rose to her hairline. What?! Why?!”

“Brian has something up his sleeve. Not sure what, but I’m half hoping I don’t have to lay eyes on that man. He reminds me of my past and all the bad choices I made.”

Colby placed her hand on Lila’s shoulder. “None of us are perfect. You have to forgive yourself. The past is in the past.”

Colby had a point. Still, it was hard. Lila’s eyes widened in surprise. “Do you see who just walked in?”

Colby followed Lila’s line of sight. “Is that?”

“Yes, Senator Wright and Bella Knight.”

“ The Bella Knight. Isn’t she like the richest African American woman on the planet?”

Lila nodded. “I think she’s worth like a gazillion dollars. I wonder what she’s doing here?”

Colby giggled. “She probably walked into the wrong room.”

The humor on Lila’s face evaporated, and she looked as if she’d seen a ghost.

“What’s wrong?”

Lila’s knees felt wobbly. She could barely talk. “He’s here. Not only did he come, but Carrington also brought his wife.”

Brian saw them the moment they entered the room. “Game time.”

Liam glanced over. “You need backup?”

“I can handle it, but if you want to watch me work, please feel free to join the conversations. However, I need Lila and Colby in order to zip this up.”

Brian and Liam walked over to them.

If looks could kill, Brian would be six feet under. However, he held Lila’s gaze. His eyes said, Trust me .

“There are a few people you need to meet.”

Colby glanced between Lila and Brian. She was hesitant. “Maybe after Lila and I freshen up?” Colby first needed to make sure Lila was good.

Lila wouldn’t take her eyes off Brian.

“Remember when I asked you to trust me?”

Lila pressed her lips together in a firm line and nodded. It was so slight that it was almost imperceptible.

Colby didn’t know what to do, so she took her cue from Lila.

Brian held out his hand, and reluctantly, Lila placed hers in his.

Liam and Colby followed Brian and Lila over toward Carrington, Kelly, and Mac Glenmore.

“Mac! It’s good to see you.” Brian made a big show of welcoming him.

Mac looked nervous as he glanced at Carrington and Kelly. “You too.”

“I’m happy you were able to make it. But before we join in the festivities, I have some great news to share. Can we discuss it privately?”

“Um...” Mac’s eyes flittered to Carrington. “Sure. Can I bring my guests?”

“Absolutely.” Brian ushered them into a private room off from the main one.

As soon as they entered, Brian closed and locked the door.

Mac attempted introductions. “Let me introduce?—”

“Some of us are already well acquainted.” Kelly narrowed her eyes as she looked Lila up and down with contempt.

Something in Lila snapped. “Why are you here?”

Carrington looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. “Why wouldn’t we be? As Lockwood’s investors, and I would say savior, I thought we should have been given an invitation.”

Brian had been quietly watching but made his presence known. “You weren’t invited because this event is only for Lockwood guests and sponsors.” He glanced at his watch. “And as of one o’clock this afternoon, you are neither.”

Carrington laughed. “What? You removed Glenmore?”

“No. Glenmore is still a sponsor.”

Carrington gave an evil chuckle. “Sorry to inform you that Mac here doesn’t really own Glenmore. Hughes Industries is the real money behind the name.”

“You sure about that?” Brian asked as he casually walked over to Carrington. “Did you honestly think I was going to let you threaten and blackmail the woman I love without any repercussions?”

Carrington straightened his spine. “Careful, young man, I hold the future of Lockwood Racing in my hands, so I’d tread lightly if I were you.”

Brian stood a few inches taller than Carrington as he looked down at him with disgust. “I really don’t like you. But let me break it to ya, you don’t even hold your own future in your hands.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“With the help of Senator Wright, Mac is now the rightful owner of Glenmore. Mac exercised a hidden clause in his contract to buy you out. And, after your board of directors was given an anonymous packet of your shady dealings, they called an emergency meeting this afternoon and voted you out as CEO. That is what happened at one o’clock this afternoon. You should be notified shortly.”

Carrington blanched. “Bullshit!”

“Mac, can you confirm it, or shall I?”

Mac reached into his jacket and handed Carrington copies of his official paperwork. “The board will notify you tomorrow.”

Kelly turned to Carrington. “What does this mean?”

“It means,” Brian said, “you can walk away quietly, or”—his eyes hardened—“I can really fuck up your life.”

It was Brian’s turn to reach inside his jacket and pull out a document. “This is an NDA about this entire sordid affair. You might not give a shit about your wife, but if you care anything about your sons, you will sign it.”

Carrington was still processing what was happening. Mac had double-crossed him? He’d been pushed out of the company his father started, and based on what he’d just scanned in Mac’s paperwork, he might not even have any negotiating power for a buyout.

Carrington was still grasping at straws and grappling with what was happening. “In trying to fuck me, you fucked yourself. Mac doesn’t have the kind of money to buy back his company and sponsor Lockwood.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. We negotiated that money, your money, in the buyback.”

“Nice move,” Liam said.

“I thought you might appreciate that one.”

Brian’s voice dropped to a menacing tone. “Sign the damn papers. Your wife too.”

Mac handed Carrington a pen. Carrington snatched it from him and signed the NDA before handing it to Kelly.

“I’m not signing anything without a lawyer looking it over. I’ll go to the papers my damn self, and spill everything!”

Lila couldn’t hold back any longer. She was tired of both Carrington and Kelly. Her fists clenched. “You evil bitch! It wasn’t enough to drag my name through the mud and try to have me brought up on charges when you were the one who attacked me, but you’re still blaming me because your husband is a hoe. Sign the goddamned papers already so we can all be done with this sordid mess.” Lila’s face was pinched with pent-up rage as she took a step forward.

Kelly’s eyes narrowed, a smirk twisting her lips. “I’m evil?! You’re the one who slept with my husband,” she spat out in defiance.

“You’re right. I did,” Lila replied, her voice steely, though a flash of regret momentarily softened her eyes. “But I had no idea Carrington was married or had kids.” Her voice cracked slightly, but she kept her chin up, unwilling to back down.

Kelly didn’t believe that for a second. “Oh, please! One internet search would have told you.” She sneered, stepping closer, her finger pointing accusingly in Lila’s face. “And for women like you, you’re always looking for your next mark, it wouldn’t have mattered.”

Lila had looked up Carrington, but he’d produced fake divorce papers, showing he’d been divorced for years but that the public hadn’t known as it would have affected his company's stock prices. She opened her mouth to say just that but stopped. Explaining wasn’t worth her breath.

Lila slapped Kelly’s hand away, who shoved her back, sending Lila stumbling. She quickly regained her balance.

Oh, hell no! Lila was determined that this was not going to be a repeat of the apartment situation. Without thinking, she lunged forward and punched Kelly square in the jaw, knocking her down onto the ground.

“Sign the goddamned papers!” Lila growled. Her voice was low and dangerous.

It happened so fast that Brian didn’t have a chance to stop Lila from clocking Kelly. He’d never seen her this angry before. He quickly stepped in front of Lila and wrapped her up in his arms.

Brian whispered into her ear, “Look, Rocky Balboa, I’ve got this, okay?”

Lila's breath was coming fast and furious. She couldn’t believe she’d just knocked the hell out of Kelly. After a few deep breaths, she could calm down a little.

Carrington sat back like a man baby and watched it all unfold. He hadn’t even tried to help Kelly up. It was disgusting.

Brian turned back to Kelly. “Sign the papers so that all your father’s shady dealings won’t be exposed. I have a lot of connections in the Illinois Senate. Some of those folks have been a wealth of information.”

Kelly turned her wild gaze to Brian. “You’re bluffing.”

“But what if I’m not?” he asked.

After a moment of hesitation, Kelly struggled to stand up. Once she was upright, she signed the NDA.

With the nasty business of taking care of the official paperwork completed, it was Carrington’s turn. Brian snatched him up and grabbed a handful of his jacket into his hands. “If you ever speak about or to Lila again, I will break you, and I don’t just mean financially. Now get the fuck out of my party. We’re celebrating.”

Liam stood by the now unlocked door, a hand showing them the way out. Angrily, Carrington tried to grab Kelly by the hand, but she brushed it away. “This isn’t over,” Carrington spat out over his shoulder before rushing out of the room.

Liam thought the entire thing was entertaining as fuck. He came back across the room and leaned in, asking Brian, “Did you really have anything on Kelly’s father?”

Brian half-smiled. “No.”

“Nice.”

Lila felt drained and relieved. The nightmare that was Carrington was finally over.

Brian wanted to talk to Lila alone. “Hey, can we have a minute? We’ll meet you all in the main hall.”

Everyone filed out of the room.

Brian pulled Lila into his arms and just held her. “I know that was hard, but thank you for trusting me.”

She sighed. “I’m glad it’s over, and I don’t have to deal with it anymore.”

“I just have one more thing to ask.” Brian hadn’t planned on proposing tonight, but it felt like the right time.

“I don’t know if I have it in me...”

Brian got down on one knee and pulled out the dazzling ring he’d been carrying around for months.

Lila’s hands flew to cover her mouth.

“Lila Denise James, I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you all those years ago in the Student Center. I’ve made mistakes. Big ones. But I hope you know that I will always love, honor, cherish, and protect you. There is no one else I will ever want to do this thing called life with. I’m sure of you. I’m finally sure of me, and I’m for damn sure of us. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

His voice was steady but filled with emotion. His eyes held hers, filled with love and a touch of vulnerability.

Lila’s eyes filled with tears, her hands trembling as she nodded frantically. “Yes, yes, YES!”

Brian’s smile widened as he took her left hand in his, sliding the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.

Lila couldn’t help but admire the way it sparkled, barely able to believe it was real.

Before she could catch her breath, Brian stood, sweeping her up into his arms. Lila wrapped her arms around his neck as he leaned in, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss, pouring all his love into that one perfect moment.

The world around them faded as they held each other close, their laughter mingling with happy tears.

This was a proposal that neither would ever forget and one their grandchildren would never believe.