Chapter 19

NINETEEN

I sit on the edge of my bed and stare at my reflection in the mirror.

Adeline is still asleep, the sound of her breaths hushed and barely audible. Her gorgeous face is pressed against the pillow and her eyes are closed.

As quietly as possible, I slip on my shoes, quickly tie them and tiptoe out of the bedroom. I hate the thought of leaving her alone in the house, so I messaged Ray and asked if he didn't mind staying parked out front, just in case he saw anything or anyone suspicious lurking around. I don't need Lachlan coming back, and the best I can do is hope that my threat will have kept him from wanting to return.

Undoing the button of my suit, I climb into the driver's seat of my car and back out of the driveway, waving to Ray before putting the car into drive and pulling out of the neighborhood. It takes twenty minutes longer than usual before I make it to Harding Holdings, and when I stroll into my brother's office, he's already tapping his finger on his desk—a clear indication I've fucked up his schedule.

"Traffic," I tell him, falling back in the chair opposite his desk.

"There's always traffic, Micah." He taps his finger again. "This shouldn't be a surprise to you."

"It's not." I nod once. "I was just stating a fact."

"Right." He purses his lips, annoyed. "I don't have time for this."

"You called me down here," I point out. "What's going on?"

He taps his fingers a few more times before looking out the window. "I was thinking about our conversation at breakfast two weeks ago."

I sink deeper into my chair and lay my hands in my lap. I can't explain it, but I'm nervous. My oldest brother has always been intimidating. More so to others than to me but intimidating, nonetheless. There are moments like now, where I see the care and concern in his eyes, but he hides them behind his serious exterior.

"Which part?" I ask.

"All of it." He sighs. "You haven't talked about your time in prison very much, and I never asked. Part of me feels responsible for not having been there for you. Even though the judge didn't offer any leniency, I still feel like there was more I could do."

"Don't blame yourself." I clear my throat. "You shouldn't, and there's no reason for it."

A tiny hint of a smile plays on his lips. "Easier said than done."

"Yeah, you're right." I chuckle.

He rests his elbow on the arm of his chair and scratches at his chin. "I've given it a lot of thought these past couple of years since you were released, and despite knowing why you went, I also know it isn't who you are. I don't need to know all the details. But I know you, little brother. You're a good person."

His words hit me like a sledgehammer. His serious expression and the silence in his office overwhelms me. It swells and suffocates, and I choke on the truth.

I open my mouth, wanting to tell him. I want to tell him his intuition is right. But I don't. I force it back down, swallowing it and fighting the urge to vomit it back up.

"Thank you." It's all I manage to say.

"With that said…" He sighs. "I want you to come back to work."

"What?" My eyebrows rise, and I sit up in my chair. "Really?"

"Yeah." He nods. "Considering what I just said and what I know to be true, I don't think you need a break anymore. Unless, of course, you don't want to come back to work."

"No," I blurt out. "I do. I'm just caught off guard. I don't know what I was expecting, but I guess I wasn't expecting you to give me a straight offer to come back."

"I did offer last time. At breakfast. I just left it open ended."

I laugh. "You're right."

"I left it open last time for you to return, but an opportunity came up with a client that I think you would be best suited to handle." He slides a blue folder across the desk.

I pick it up and open it, reading the first page before flipping through the other papers.

"PharmTec is a startup pharmaceutical company based in Connecticut. Right now, they're manufacturing plant needs expansion, and I've decided to throw my name in the hat of those willing to take on investing in their goal."

"Pharmaceutical?" I ask, giving him a confused expression. "We aren't exactly experts in the medicinal field, Len."

"We aren't," he agrees, nodding toward the paper. "But they're main mission is to find a cure for cancer."

I hold my breath and freeze. Sadness fills my brother's usually hard eyes.

Finding a cure for cancer has incredible meaning to Lennon. After losing both his mom and sister-in-law to the disease, I understand why this means a lot to him.

"I guess you could say this endeavor is more personal than it is business," he adds.

I clear my throat. "Okay." I nod, closing my mouth and swallowing. I scan the paper again, reading over every single itemized objective and mission statements, along with their sales data from previous years, then I look back up at Lennon. "What do you need me to do?"

"I'd like you to go with me to check out the plant in New Haven." He stands from his chair and looks out the window, his black suit a stark contrast to the city outside. He half-turns. "I've scheduled a meeting and tour with the CEO and founder. He's going to explain what their next project is, and we'll also get to see the laboratories."

"I don't know what to say." I blink.

He shrugs. "You don't have to say anything. I would just like my brother on this project with me."

"Of course." I shake off the weight of what this means. For years, my brother has worn a mask—one of strength, but also one of secrecy. Vulnerability isn't exactly one of the words I would use to describe him, but I see it now.

A warmth spreads across my chest. My brother wouldn't want me to be a part of this if he didn't see value in me. If he didn't believe I was in a better place.

"There's a reason I want you on this job with me," he adds.

I open my mouth to ask him what reason, but he answers me before I have the chance.

"I was harsh in forcing you to take a break months ago, but I'm glad I did." He stuffs his hands into his pockets and faces me fully. "Whether it's you renovating the house, or if it has to do with Adeline Mayfield staying with you, you've changed. It's good to see."

"Thanks," I croak around the lump in my throat. For once, I feel seen. Lennon doesn't even know the whole truth about why I went to prison, but he's given me the benefit of the doubt. His confidence in me, regardless, makes life not feel so hopeless.

"Those copies are for you to keep." He nods toward the folder in my hand. "Look them over and make sure you get a good grasp on the numbers and products. We aren't scheduled to head out there for a few weeks."

"Sounds good." I stand from my chair with more pride and hope than when I walked in here. My life finally feels like it's on track, heading in the right direction. I button the jacket to my suit and tuck the folder under my arm. Excitement bubbles in my chest at the thought of telling Adeline about this trip and me going back to work.

I'm thankful the visit to Connecticut isn't for another few weeks, though. That gives me more time to beef up security at the house for Adeline when I'm not there. I can't take the chance of Lachlan or Soren showing up.

I'm almost out of my brother's office when he stops me. I stop and turn, looking over my shoulder.

"You seem happier, Micah." He smiles. "It's good to see you smile for once."

"You know…" I laugh. "I said the same about you at one point in time."

"What do you mean?" His smile falls, immediately disappearing. His eyebrows pull together. "I smile. I've always smiled."

"Sure, Lennon." I slap my hand on the doorframe. "I'll see you in New Haven."