Chapter 22

"How much shit do you own? It's a fucking studio," Brantley grumbles as he takes another box.

"Watch your tone, puck boy. That's my bestie you're insulting. I can and will kick your ass."

"Ooooh, Aunt Chloe said a bad word," Ari chimes in.

"She's a bad aunt," Brantley huffs, making his way to the door.

"No, she's not, Uncle Brantley. She's an amazing aunt," Ari tells him, making him groan as he disappears out the door.

"Why did we invite him again?" Chloe asks, filling another box.

"We needed the muscle. Neither of us were built for manual labor," I remind her.

She laughs. "That's right. Still, I think baby daddy number two should have hired someone to do this instead of him. All Brantley does is complain all the time. It's annoying as fuck."

I roll my eyes at her as I head back to the bedroom to finish packing the last of Ari's things.

My heart is sad as I look around. We have lived in this apartment for three years. Chloe helped me with the security deposit to get in here when Ari was a year old. We had just been kicked out of the last place because it had mold and the city shut it down. We were struggling to fit into Chloe's studio apartment, but Chloe refused to let us be homeless. When she found this place, she jumped on it. It became our home.

It's a little bittersweet to leave it.

"Is this all stuff Ari is keeping?" Mason looks around.

I smile. "Yep. She said she can't live without these toys."

"Maybe I should take a shot at it."

I laugh, heading out of the room as he calls for her. I stop at the door to see what he is going to do.

"Ari, baby girl. Can you come in here?"

Ari comes running, looking up at her father like he hung the moon. I don't blame her. I'm sure if I had a mirror, I would have the same look in my eyes.

He kneels down next to her, pointing at the bags of toys. "Do we need all of these?"

She frowns. "They are my toys. I don't get a lot of new toys. I don't want to get rid of them."

My heart hurts at her admission. I've been saving the money that Mason has been giving me for her in a college fund. I didn't think about buying her anything. Not with Mason buying her stuff.

I hate that she is used to making things last because I couldn't afford to give her more.

I can tell the statement hits Mason too. He doesn't let it deter him, though.

"That was the past, Arianna. You have so many new things. Don't you want to make another little girl happy with toys? Maybe another little girl who doesn't have a father to buy her new ones?"

Ari is quiet as she looks down at the floor. She whispers something, but I can't hear it. I can guess what she says, though, as Mason sucks in a breath.

"Arianna, I am never leaving you again. I know I was gone for a while, and you will never know how much I missed being with you. Those were some dark days that I never want to revisit. I am going to be in your life forever. Hell, there will be times you wish I wasn't in your life, and I'm still going to be there."

Ari giggles. "You said a bad word, Daddy. I'm always going to want you here."

Mason hugs her to him. "Thanks, kiddo. I hope so. Now about the toys. You already have a chest full in your new room. Can we get rid of some of these?"

She nods, sitting down. Mason sits next to her, pulling the first bag over as they start to go through them.

Leaving them behind, I turn to find Brantley and Chloe in a heated discussion. Making my way to Eli and Max in the kitchen, I lean against the counter.

"What's going on?" I whisper.

"Brantley is getting his ass handed to him. We didn't want to interrupt." Eli whispers back.

"I didn't say I had roaches in my home, you asshole." Chloe throws her hands up.

"You said that Mason's place didn't have any roaches. All I'm saying is after seeing this place, I can see why you felt that way."

"This place doesn't have roaches. Do you see any bugs on the floor?"

"Everyone knows roaches come out when it's dark."

"I wish you only came out at dark. What's it going to take to get you to scatter? You're annoying me."

"Awww, I'm getting to you? That's quite adorable, actually," Brantley taunts her.

I can see her hands clenching and unclenching.

"Twenty bucks says they bang it out," Max tells Eli.

"Nah, man, I don't want to lose money," Eli retorts.

I snort. "She's going to nut punch him. Not kiss him."

They each look at me, their eyes wide, as they each cup their balls.

"Brantley, break time is over, buddy. Let's finish this," Eli calls out, saving his friend.

Max nods. "Yeah. Only fifteen or so more boxes. Then we can drop the furniture off at the women's shelter."

They each grab Brantley by the arm, dragging him out of the apartment, sans boxes, which only makes me laugh harder.

"What are you laughing at? Can you believe that jerk?"

I nod. "Oh I can. His buddies just saved his nuts."

She smirks. "It was that obvious?"

"To me, but you're my baby daddy number one. Of course I know you."

"I can't wait until this day is over. You owe me a wine and whine night."

"Any day you want."

As the guys come back to the apartment, I push Chloe into the kitchen with boxes.

Looking around at everyone who showed up to help, I realize that my little family has grown quite a bit. I couldn't be happier.

* * *

The room is exactly how it should look. Usually, when I come here, there are no nerves whatsoever. I'm the CEO for a reason. I own the position and back down from no one.

Today is different, though. I know that what I am going to ask today isn't something simple. It's going to ruffle a lot of feathers. As much as I hope it passes, I know it likely won't. Not when I know who's on the board. Still, it's worth a shot. This way, when shit hits the fan, I can say I tried to do something before it went down.

"Are you sure you want to do this? This is going to be very public if they approve," Eli asks me for what seems like the millionth time.

"I can't let her have any possible way of weaseling back in. It's going to suck. My father's and grandfather's legacy will be tarnished, but it needs to be done. She has been trying to use the foundation to get to me. I don't want her to have any reason to see me."

"I support you. I just want to be sure you thought this over." He stands beside me as the board members start filtering in.

"They are my priority," I whisper.

"As they should be."

Then we step forward together as if we had planned it. We greet the board members together, getting everyone settled. The meeting is the usual bullshit. Reports and updates. Then they open the floor to new business. Eli and I are the only ones proposing new business this time around.

"I want to propose we cut ties with The Williamson Foundation," I start.

"Under what grounds?" Mr. Kennedy, my father's close friend, asks.

"My mother is running The Williamson Foundation. While it has been connected in the past, I do not agree with the steps my mother is taking. I believe if we continue to be connected with the foundation, her actions may negatively affect our business holdings."

"In what ways? That is your mother. You really want us to believe it's in the company's best interest to separate the two when they share a name?" Mr. Lingle pipes in.

"I believe my mother has declined since my father died. I'm not sure her ideas are sound anymore. We are concerned that if her erratic behavior continues, she could make a misstep that will tarnish the Williamson name. While we are connected, that impact will be greater than if we were to separate."

I knew this would be a fight, but I don't think any of them are taking this seriously. I wonder how many are in my mother's pockets already. Have I been that blind?

"Do you have proof of this erratic behavior?" Mr. Kennedy asks.

"She's smarter than to leave proof," I admit.

"So you are asking us to get involved in your family spat with no proof of the behavior that you speak of?" Mr. Kennedy has obviously already made up his mind.

"It's not a family spat. Yes, I have distanced myself from my mother for personal reasons. As has Max. If anything, that should be an added reason for the company to also distance themselves. Why would I do that if it weren't serious?" I ask.

Mr. Kennedy shakes his head. "What better way to stick it to your mother than by removing her influence on the company you run? I am sympathetic to your reasoning. I really am. However, this is a business. We cannot make decisions based solely on your word and faith. Your mother has done nothing to harm the image of the foundation or this company. Being on the board of both, I see no reason to grant your request."

I want to scream at him. How can he not see what my mother is really like?

Instead, I tell him, "Maybe your involvement with both boards should exclude you from voting then. Conflict of interest and all."

"Even if he does, he makes valid points. If you bring us solid proof that your mother is engaging in harmful business practices, we would have no choice but to act in the best interest of this company. Until then, I agree with Mr. Kennedy. We have no reason to sever ties with The Williamson Foundation. Are we ready to vote on this matter?" Mr. Lingle asks.

Everyone agrees and quickly votes against my request.

"Thank you for your time, gentlemen. Meeting adjourned," I tell them afterward.

After the meeting, Mr. Lingle stays behind. Once everyone is gone, he shuts the door.

"I believe you, Mason. I have known your family for a long time. I agree that your mother seems to be declining mentally. The last time I saw her, she seemed a bit unhinged. Be careful with her. She always was conniving. Your father kept her in check, but without him here, she is way too ambitious."

"I can see that now. She hid it for so long, but now that I'm no longer following her path, she's showing her true colors. I know Jack said that he thinks this is me pursuing my personal grievances against her, but that's not true. She has already tried to use the foundation against me. If she continues to do so, it is only going to reflect poorly on the foundation and us. I really do think this is the best move for both entities."

"I don't disagree, but like Mr. Kennedy said, without proof, it can also look bad. Your mother can use it against us. Our hands are tied. I hope you do find the proof needed, but until then, step carefully."

"Thank you for the warning, George."

"I promised your father I would look after you. Jack was his closest friend, but he also knew that Jack would be close to your mother as well. I never cared much for the woman. He knew I would put you boys first."

"That's comforting to know. Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

He quirks his eyebrow at me. "Would you have believed me?"

He makes a good point. I wouldn't have. It took Ari coming into my life to see my mother for who she really is.

"Fair. Take care, George."

"You too," he replies as he opens the door and exits the room.

"What now?" Eli asks.

"We wait and watch and hope she doesn't do anything too stupid in the meantime."