I roll my eyes. “Thanks for making me wait, asswipe.”
“You’re welcome.” He smirks and his dark eyes scan the room. I imagine for another conquest to add to his belt.
I hold the USB, but pull it back when he grabs for it. “You first.”
He gets into his phone and he sends all of the photos to my friend, then deletes each ceremoniously, taking an extra second or two to seemingly memorize them.
“You’re disgusting.” I drop the small plastic and metal rectangle into his hand. “I can’t believe how different you and Henry are.”
“Being nice gets you nowhere, Meg. And I’m going to prove it to my father once and for all. I’m getting what I want and Henry will get exposed for the sham he is. He won’t be the business marvel that my father thinks he is for much longer.” He slicks back his greasy black hair.
“You don’t care about anyone but yourself, do you?”
“I think we might have that in common.”
“No. I’m nothing like you.” I want to believe this.
“Whatever. You got what you wanted so what do you care?”
I shake my head, my jaw tight and my stomach a rollercoaster of consciousness that I try to fight day after day. I do care. As much as I try not to. And I can’t believe I’ve just given ammunition for firing a gun to this man. “No, after doing this, I’m only getting what I deserve. Absolutely nothing.”
“Perfect.” He flips the USB in the air and catches it. “Nice doing business with you, Meg.”
I slide back into the chair as he steps out the door.
I stare into my drink as it thickens on the surface. My mind creating shapes that look like Henry’s face. His soft eyes. His soft lips. His soft hair.
My heart clenches in my chest.
Acid rises from my stomach, burning into my chest, my heart pushing it back down.
How could this have happened?
I let love back in. A man welcomed my soul into his and he gave me a gift. Henry showed me who I really want to be. And it’s not a woman who won’t stand up for her man.
I wasn’t the problem in the past. Those men were the problem.
It’s time for me to be the answer.
8
Henry
I straighten my tie with one hand while the other holds onto my phone. “So you think you can find her?”
The P.I. clears their throat. “I can find anyone.”
“I hope so.” I click off and rub my face. It’s time to follow through with my duty as the oldest Zervas son.
Twenty-four hours ago Megan Devlin ran out my door. And then when I was finishing up my kites, I found a note crumpled in the trash.
Dear Henry,
I wish I could be what you need. I’m very sorry.
I’ll think of you when I watch Ghibli movies.
I’ll never forget you, Wonderboy.
Meg
I’ll never forget her either. I’ve tried every social media and search engine to find her. She’s a ghost, but I won’t give up trying to find her.
I finished up my kites for tonight’s Halloween trick-or-treaters. The final ones all purples and pink shades with flowers on them, reminding me of her.
Commotion outside of the side door catches my attention.
“But I need to go to the meeting! Get your hands off of me!”
The familiar voice warms my chest immediately, and the frantic quality makes my heart pound.
I round the corner and find two of our security guards, big burly men, struggling to control a 5’4” package of spitfire.
“Meg?” I say her name and she stills.
“Henry…” Her face pales.
“Guys, she’s with me. It’s all good.”
“You sure, Mr. Zervas. She’s got a rap sheet that—”
“That’s my past.” She shakes out of his hold.
I jerk my head toward the building dismissing them and they leave without another word.
She crosses her arms across her waist. “I need to tell you something.”
I look at my watch. Time is short, but when I look back her eyes soften and I realize what Mr. Lincoln was talking about. I realize what’s important.
“Please, Henry.”
“I’ve got time for you.”
“I’m sorry for leaving yesterday morning and I’m really sorry for what I’m going to tell you.”
Then what she tells me makes my body go stiff. I’m not mad at her. There’s only one person to blame for this.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
She rolls those eyes and I remember back to holding her in my arms while she shattered apart and the same happened. So beautiful.
“Well, if you didn’t notice, I kind of have a few trust issues with men,” sarcasm coats her words, but I don’t laugh. “Or at least I did.”
“How can I trust you now?” I want to, but this is a betrayal and I’m a little confused.
She steps close. “I’m here to tell the truth. I’m here to tell the board what a wonderful man you are and how you deserve whatever you want in life. And what a fucking nightmare your brother is. I just wanted to make sure that Eliza was okay.”
“My brother is going to get what he deserves.” I step closer to her and she raises a hand to my chest, the touch sending ribbons to my heart below. “I can understand wanting to save people.” I slip a hand into her hair. “No more lies. No more surprises.”
“No more lies. No more surprises. Well, except for one…” Her eyes drop, but flash back up. “I love you, Henry.”
“Then I need you to come with me.”
“Where?”
“Just trust me.”
“I do…”
Meg
We walk into the board room and seven sets of eyes turn toward us. I squeeze Henry’s hand tighter.
He leans down. “It’ll be okay.”
I still need that reassurance, and I believe him. “I know…”
He’s meant to be the leader of this company. He’s meant to take it to new heights. I’m sure he’ll miss the community center, but he can hire the best to take over.
An older man with some of Henry’s soft features stands at the head of the table. “Henry, who do we have here?”
“As I was saying, I can show you the golden boy of the family is not so golden.” Hayden’s voice sinks into me, but I just glare at him. He clicks on the remote and numbers flash onto the screen. “As you can see, the community center is down to its last dime. So much for running a business efficiently. Is this who you really want running a billion-dollar business, Father?”
Another man stands and I recognize him immediately. The King.
“Hi, Meg.” Mr. Lincoln smiles. “I have promised a reoccurring gift to the center that will shore up those numbers. Henry has done a fantastic job using every last penny of that money to give the community a place that gives so many hope. And Meg helped me realize that the excess of what I have isn’t of any value to me sitting in the bank when it could be to the community center. She’s a real angel.”
Mr. Zervas steps toward us. “Are you ready to take over, my son? To be the leader you are?”