Chapter Three

Daniel sipped extra strong coffee at Ritz. The weather had improved overnight, sunny and windless, like it was apologizing for the moody nastiness of the day before. Around him people took tables for breakfast, and crisply uniformed servers moved toward hungry diners with the precision of heat-seeking missiles.

He enjoyed staying at high-end hotels and checking out their amenities and services from a customer’s perspective. It gave him ideas on how to better improve his resorts.

At nine o’clock sharp, Merry strode in. Her dark, artfully layered hair was unbound, making her look even younger than the day before. She was wearing minimal makeup, but then she didn’t need much. She was one of the few women he knew who were naturally radiant. The hem of her long-sleeved magenta dress swirled around her legs as she moved confidently across the restaurant.

She’d changed so much since Judy’s death. No more Skinny Little Merry. She was all woman now, full of curves and softness. His mind dredged up the memory of holding her the day before, the way her soft flesh had felt in his hands. He inhaled roughly as his belly tightened. The sensation was unwelcome. He didn’t want to feel anything for Merry. The media sometimes called her Saint Meredith for her charity work, but he knew the real story. She was colder and more self-centered than his father, Daniel “Dan” Aylster II had been, and not many could lay claim to such a dubious honor. He didn’t believe in wasting emotion on people who weren’t worthy.

Merry took an empty seat at his table. A server offered her a menu, but she declined. “Just coffee would be lovely. Thank you.”

All her pleases and thank-yous. Daniel remembered them well. He also knew they were automatic responses built into her by decades of training. Stella Lloyd didn’t raise ill-mannered children…except for Jacob, but he’d been disowned for his transgressions. Daniel ordered an omelet.

As soon as their server disappeared, Merry turned to Daniel. “Before we begin, I want you to know we have only about an hour. I have a brunch scheduled with my brother and his wife. And my mom.”

“And your son?” He’d heard about the boy.

Her face turned pale so fast, he thought she might pass out. She blinked a few times and pasted on a bright smile. “Yes. He’ll join us.” She dumped a mountain of sugar into her coffee and stirred. “And Barron Sterling too.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes at how blatantly she’d reminded him of her family’s connection to that old billionaire. The head of the über-wealthy Sterling family, he was infamous for his temper and capricious nature, and no one—not even Justin—did anything that might upset the curmudgeon. If it weren’t for The Barron Factor, as Daniel thought of it, he would’ve fired TLD already.

Their server placed their orders in front of them and vanished after confirming Merry and Daniel didn’t need anything more. Daniel made a mental note of the efficiency, finding that he liked it.

“So. What is it that you want to talk about?” Merry picked up her coffee.

“The resort.”

“Great.” Her shoulders relaxed visibly, and she took a slow sip. “What about it?”

She had to be either incompetent or a liar. Maybe both. “For a start, why don’t you tell me what’s great about it.”

The cup hovered between the table and her mouth. “I’m sorry?”

“You said great.”

“Well.” She bit her lower lip. “That was a bad choice of words. I understand the construction’s behind schedule, but from what I read, we’re still okay. So, not a big deal.”

He barked out a laugh. “No wonder TLD is struggling. How can you think it’s no big deal? It’s a disaster.”

Merry stiffened, her spine straight. Her fingers flexed around the cup, and she set it on the table with deliberate care. “I just took over the company.”

“It’s been a year. I expect you to be on top of things or resign. It’s not like your family has a lack of decent executive material.” He took a healthy bite of his omelet. “Look, I’m not here to fight. I just want you guys to back off if you can’t get the job done. I don’t play with amateurs. There’s too much money at stake.” And his fragile reputation as the new head of Aylster Resorts. He had to show the board he was the man to lead the company or get the hell out. Family-owned didn’t mean family-screwed.

“I know it’s an expensive project. We’re one of the best, which is why Aylster Resorts hired us.”

“Were. Things have changed, Merry. TLD just can’t seem to deliver what my company wants. It’s nothing personal.”

“You’re overreacting to some minor dela—”

He raised a hand. “Have you been to the site?”

“No.”

“Gotten any recent photos of the progress?”

“No.”

“Well, then. On what basis are you telling me I’m overreacting?”

“On the basis of we can fix this. Give me some time to investigate.”

He wanted to say no. This was ridiculous, and it’d only waste more time. The resort needed to open on schedule.

On the other hand, Justin had said Sterling & Wilson wouldn’t touch it unless things were resolved amicably between The Lloyds Development and Aylster Resorts. And at this point, Daniel didn’t trust anybody except his friend’s company. “Fine. You have a week.”

“A week?”

“Plenty of time to ‘investigate’.”

She frowned. “Okay. I’ll do that. I’ll personally go to St. Cecilia Island and figure things out.”

“Excellent. I’ll have my admin send you an itinerary.”

“What?”

“I’m not letting you go down there by yourself, so you can take a cursory glance and tell me everything’s fine. I want to point out exactly what’s wrong with the work your company is doing.”

“I really don’t need you breathing down my neck.”

His gaze briefly flitted to the delicate line where her neck sloped and merged into her shoulder. He shook himself mentally. This was no time for idle fantasies; his board was breathing down his neck. “Nevertheless.” His voice was firm and cold. “The point is non-negotiable.”

* * *

Meredith parked her car in front of her mom’s three-story home in Chevy Chase Village. It was a lovely neighborhood, affluent and well-kept, with manicured lawns and beautiful yards. Her mother’s flower garden was already prepped for the upcoming winter.

Meredith shook all over as memories of the morning flooded back. How dare Daniel talk to her like she was some kind of…airhead?

Thank god they had decided to end the unpleasant “meeting” after half an hour.

Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the steering wheel. Did Daniel think like her oldest brother Jacob, who had used a family party to announce that she was a stupid girl who was good for nothing except knowing her place and keeping her mouth shut?

That version of her was gone now—if it had ever been there in the first place, and even if people around her refused to accept the change. She’d be damned if Daniel was just going to pop into her life and join the doubters.

Daniel hadn’t said a word about Eric, but that didn’t necessarily mean he was in the dark about him. She rubbed her stomach. If she could be sure all Daniel had against her was how incompetent a businesswoman he thought she was, she wouldn’t have this nasty feeling in her belly. She could deal with the humiliation of being thought of as silly or stupid by someone. She couldn’t deal with the possibility of losing her son.

She forced her body to relax and took several deep breaths. She had to go in and face everyone at the brunch…including Eric. She couldn’t come in feeling upset and ruin the whole thing.

Once she was sure she had her emotions under control, she got out of her champagne-colored Mercedes. The minute she walked inside the house, Bear barked a welcome. “You’re here!” cried Stella Lloyd, extending her arms for a hug.

Meredith gave her mom a long hug, needing this comfort. No one soothed Meredith like Stella. “How are you?” Meredith said.

“Very well, thank you.”

Stella glowed, her dark eyes bright. Her undyed hair had silvery glints that looked attractive in a simple chignon. She was one of the few older women who didn’t mind showing her age. “Everyone’s here. Ethan’s making his specialty omelets and French toast.”

“Great. Where’s Eric?”

“Outside with Barron, plotting world domination, as Kerri would probably put it.” Stella smiled with affection.

Meredith laughed. She hadn’t been sure about her mom and Barron, but it seemed like he was making her happy. And he was trying very hard to make up for neglecting Kerri when she was growing up…and he spent a lot of time with Eric too. For a ruthless former corporate raider, Barron actually made a pretty decent “grandfather”.

“Hey, perfect timing!” Kerri said, placing a big bowl of cut fruit on the table. “The food’s just about ready.”

“I’ll go get Eric and Barron, then.”

Meredith went to the backyard. Cold weather had come earlier than usual to Virginia, its chill stinging her face. The air was crisp with a hint of wood smoke and something spicy that she always associated with late autumn and winter at her mom’s place. Big orange pumpkins dotted the garden. Her mom would take a day and carve a few of them for Halloween and keep the rest for pies and other treats. The soil was rich and moist from the previous night’s storm, and Meredith stepped carefully to avoid the muddy spots.

Barron was a solidly built man who dressed both comfortably and expensively. The burgundy cashmere sweater on him must’ve cost quite a few pretty pennies. His eyes were bright, and his mind was even brighter, which was how he’d amassed his vast fortune.

At the moment, the terrifying business icon was showing Eric how to swing a golf club. As much as the boy thought Ethan could do no wrong, her brother was a horrible golfer.

Eric turned around and gave her a wide grin. “Mom, look at this!” He waved his club around wildly before handing it to her. “Barron got it for me. It even has my initials!”

Her jaw slackened as she took the gorgeously balanced chrome club. Tiny diamonds glinted at the tips of a golden inlaid E and L on the shaft. “Oh my gosh, Barron, you shouldn’t have.”

Barron waved dismissively. “A boy needs his own club.”

“With his own initials? And diamonds? It’s too extravagant.”

“Bah. If you think this is extravagant, wait until Christmas.”

Eric looked up at Barron with utter adoration. “Really?”

Barron gave him the flinty look that had caused incontinence on the other side of many a negotiating table. “You just wait and see, young man.”

“Yes!” Eric jumped, pumping his fist.

Meredith shook her head. As much as she didn’t like to spoil her son, she couldn’t help the warmth spreading inside her at how thrilled he looked. “Did you say thank you to Barron for the present?”

“Yes, ma’am. But I can say it again.” He turned to the older man. “Thank you for the golf club, sir. And for whatever the Christmas present is.”

Barron let out a booming laugh. “It’s not Christmas yet. And we’re talking plural, young man.”

“Presents?” Eric almost squealed, his eyes huge. He launched himself at Barron and hugged the old man as tightly as he could. Barron blinked and patted Eric’s skinny back.

“The food’s ready,” Meredith said, pretending not to notice a watery glint in Barron’s eyes.

“All right!” Eric put away the golf club and ran into the house. Meredith lingered behind and walked with Barron.

“Barron, really, you shouldn’t have.”

He gazed at the sky for a long moment, then finally lowered his head to look at her. “Why not? I have the money”—he cleared his throat—“and from what I’ve seen the boy can use some nice things.”

“He has plenty of nice things.”

“No one can ever have enough nice things.”

She sighed. “I don’t want to spoil him.”

He chuckled. “My dear, a measly golf club won’t spoil him. As for the Christmas presents, everyone deserves a great Christmas.” Some of the laughter left his face. “I’m an old man, Meredith, and I wasted quite a lot of time being foolish. I want to make as many good memories as possible while I still can.”

The honesty in his tone touched something in her heart. Of course he would want to do that. He’d given up those years with Kerri because he’d been too busy grieving for what he’d lost in a family tragedy rather than appreciating what he still had left. “We all have lots of wonderful memories with you already.”

“Those sorts of memories are another one of the things that no one has enough of. I need to make a few more before I move on.”

“You will.” Meredith looked at him, wanting him to know she understood. Time was so fleeting, and you never knew when yours would get cut short.

He took her hand and squeezed it. Together they entered the loving mayhem that was the family brunch.

* * *

Checking his phone to make sure there weren’t any emergencies or missed calls, Daniel returned to his suite alone to pack. A lithe, busty blonde had slipped him a napkin with her room number scrawled on it, which he’d tossed in the trashcan right in front of her. He wasn’t in the mood.

It took less than a minute to stuff all his things into a small carry-on bag. His phone vibrated, and he glanced at the screen.

“Hello, Uncle Claude,” he said.

“Hi, Daniel. How did the meeting go?”

“Everything should be resolved within a week. How did the board react yesterday?”

“I was able to convince them to take a step back and give you more time and room to demonstrate your leadership. It’s unfair of them to put so much pressure on you so fast. It’s only been a few months.”

Daniel grunted. The assholes on the board didn’t care. They wanted to see Daniel perform a miracle. They wanted the St. Cecilia resort built last week.

Their impatience was appalling, especially after how they’d put up with his father’s missteps in the last few years. Dan had once been a superb corporate chief, but that had changed a few years prior to his death. He had changed…just like he’d done before.

Daniel realized his jaw was starting to ache, and he unclenched his teeth. The company was solid enough to withstand a few executive errors. It was now up to Daniel to put it back on the right track. And this was his test, a chance to convince the board he was the man to lead Aylster Resorts for the next few decades.

“So when are you coming home? Might be a good idea to have a small party, invite the board members. Let them know you’re a likable guy,” Claude said.

“I don’t have time for that,” Daniel said. “I’m coming home for a few hours and taking off again.”

“So soon?”

“There’s a lot of work to do.”

Claude grew quiet. Finally he said, “I see.”

“Don’t worry. They’ll like me well enough when I take care of the business and make everyone piles of money.” He would ensure that the company flourished under his management. He would show his old man he wasn’t some “worthless shit.” And he would show the board that Aylster Resorts was his. By legacy, and by right.

His father had taken so much from him already. That man wasn’t taking this from him too.

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