Chapter Twenty-One

Darius

“What up, fuckers?” Saint shouts as he, Crue and Corv burst through the front door. I smile wide as each of them waltz into the living room and give me a hug hello. Beck walks in and greets each of the guys, the four of them drop down onto the couches. They looked fucking wrecked.

“Where’s Leah?” Corvin asks. Beck and I share a quick look before I answer.

“She moved out.” When we got home yesterday, Beck went to check on her and found her room empty. I spent the rest of the night in the gym working out my anger that she just left. In hindsight it was a good thing because with her not being here it’s going to be a lot easier to keep my dick out of her.

“What the fuck do you mean?” Corv growls as he shifts forward in his seat pinning me with a look. I throw my hands up in the air and roll my eyes frustrated.

“What the fuck are you looking at me like that for? I didn’t do shit.” I’m lying through my teeth but I don’t care.

“I’m not blaming you for shit. I’m asking you why she left and didn’t tell me?”

“I don’t know, she’s your sister so maybe call the impulsive little shit and find out,” I grit out through clenched teeth.

“Someone must be on their bitchy time of the month,” Crue jokes, earning a glare from me. “Oh, calm down, we just got back and don’t even get a day off tomorrow before we have to train. So, how about we order in some pizza and go over this merger and read the fine print because we all know that fucker will try and stiff us in the fine print.” Each of us voices our agreement as we head off to shower and leave Crue to order the pizza. I make quick work of showering, step out and wrap a towel around my waist before going to my room. I freeze when I see Corvin sitting on the end of my bed with a black thong dangling from his finger, shit!

He wiggles his brows suggestively at me as he says, “Been busy plowing through pussy while I was away. Anyone I know?” I swallow the retort that is on the tip of my tongue as I turn and head for my dresser as I answer him.

“I think you’ve seen her around.” If only he knew that the thong currently dangling from his finger belonged to his sister.

“Just wanted to check in and see if Leah said anything to you or Beck about why she transferred?” I drop my towel and laugh when Corvin begins to curse me out for having my ass on display.

“Nah, man,” I say as I pull on a pair of sweats and turn to face him. His face falls and I hate that I keep lying to him but it’s just the way it has to be.

“Yeah, okay. Come on, we need to sort out this merger before we get fucked.” I nod and follow after him. Crue, Saint and Beck are sitting in the living room with boxes of Pizzas set out on the coffee table. Corv and I snag a box each. As we drop into the vacant two-seater, Beck hands out a folder to each of us.

“These have the contracts in them. I spoke with Troy and we are set on our end. Sullivan Global management is willing to stay and keep things running, as well as show us each the day to day operations. I’m happy to do that once we finish school, are you all okay with that?” The four of us agree, Beck will be the perfect man for the job. He’s a fast learner and takes pride in everything he does. “I think we make Darius the face of the company when the merger is complete.”

“No!” I snap.

“You are the one who will be based out of the office in the city. You will fill the position as CFO until I can grasp the day-to-day shit with the hotels and resorts.” We may own the stock market and dominate in that field, but acquiring Sullivan Global means we are branching out into foreign waters. They don’t just fuck with the stock market, they also own hotel chains worldwide and resorts in Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Japan and New Zealand. “It was your idea to bring them down and that shit you leaked to the papers is the only reason we are in the position to afford to buy them out. We need this, D.” I scrub a hand down my face. If this is the sacrifice I need to make for my brothers, then so be it.

“Fine, but any board meetings the four of you have to sit in on them because I’m not making decisions on my own.” I look to each of them letting know how serious I am about this point. Honestly, I’m nervous as fuck to be doing this on my own. I’ve always had them with me, so the thought of us all parting ways when school is over has me feeling scared. Crue, Saint and Corv have their football shit lined up, but Beck will head off to Alaska to learn the ropes and then I’ll be here on my own.

“Deal, if we can’t be there in person we’ll be on video,” Saint suggests and I agree.

“Man, if someone asked me what I would be doing at twenty I would never think this would be it.” I grunt my agreement, Corv is right.

“We built this whole company from the ground up at sixteen and now look at us. We are about to be Forbes richest.” We all laugh at Crue. we won’t be the richest but we will live without worry for the rest of our lives.

“I don’t think I have ever said it before, but thank you guys.” The serious tone of Saint’s voice has me sitting straighter. “You all knew that I hated the thought of ever running my dad’s company and I fucking hate him, but I didn’t have a way out until now. So, thank you all for helping me.” Crue wraps an arm around his shoulders and gives him a side hug. Saint’s dad is a piece of shit. He may have bought us this house but it wasn’t from the kindness of his heart. If Saint doesn’t take over for his father, he has to pay him back every cent for his tuition, living costs and this house. He thinks Saint doesn’t have his own money, but thanks to this merger, Saint can buy his freedom and in turn take his fucking father down.

“We all helped each other,” I say. “Without all of you I would have been under a bridge somewhere so the feeling is mutual, brother.” Corvin slaps me on the shoulder and pins me with a look that says over his dead body that would have happened.

“Okay, we officially settle on SG next Tuesday and once that is final and underway, we focus on taking down Lexington Corp.” The four of us nod our agreement. “Once we finally finish this, what next?” Beck’s question has stumped me. I have no idea how to answer that. For years all we have focused on is this end goal and nothing else. What do I want to do with my life? A picture flashes through my mind of a house on the beach and a gorgeous blonde on a surfboard, but I shake that away.

“I plan to play in the NFL for as long as I can then retire, buy a yacht and drown in pussy for the rest of my days.” We all groan and mutter about Saint being a dick.

“Once I hang my boots up for the last time, I’m gonna travel and see the fucking world.” I could really see Crue being a tourist.

“Mine starts now.” I furrow my brow at Corv. “When this is done, I’m coming out to my parents and buying them a house in the mountains like they have always wanted and never let them work again. I’ll get Leah set up somewhere before I leave and hire guards so no fucker can get near my baby sister. Best part is, with us being the majority shareholders in the school, Leah will never have to pay for her schooling.” I turn away from him, not able to look at him knowing I’m the one who took his sister’s innocence. We spend the rest of the night talking shit and allowing ourselves to finally breathe a bit easier knowing that this is all going to work out. We fucking did it. Excitement thrums through me at the thought of seeing the looks on their faces when they find out it was me that ruined their lives and they had no fucking idea. He thought he fucked me over. That dumb fuck was playing a quick game while I was playing the long game from the start. Touchdown, motherfucker, I’m coming for you.