Present Day
As I leaned against the workbench in the shed, I started to feel guilty for scaring Riley so much. His eyes were wild with fright as he uttered, “Uncle Lars.” I stayed put because I knew if I stepped closer, I’d be too tempted to touch him.
“Quiet, Riley. Relax, Wolverine,” I said and hoped he would calm down. I pointed to Kathryn but kept my eyes on Riley. “Do you know who this cunt is?” I asked him.
Without moving his head, he glanced sideways at Kathryn and then nodded.
“Tell me who she is,” I prompted.
“She’s your fiancée,” Riley quickly muttered. Though his voice trembled, he managed to maintain eye contact with me.
I looked at Kathryn, still sickened by the sight of her.
“Do you know who Riley is?” My tone toward Kathryn was not near as polite as it had been toward Riley. I hoped he picked up on it.
“He works entry-level at your company.”
“He does.” I shifted my gaze between them. “The truth is that neither of you know who the other really is, or what my intentions are.”
“What the hell is going on, Griff?” Kathryn began to bitch.
“Don’t call me Griff,” I warned.
I pointed at Kathryn again but only looked at Riley. He was the only one I cared about.
“Kathryn is the reason your father left your mom, Riley. She’s the fucking tramp who had an affair with your father. She was twenty at the time and had been one of my aunt and uncle’s hired help. Kathryn actually helped your mother with groceries and errands. Pretty shitty, huh, Wolverine?”
Riley’s eyebrows were furrowed, and faint wrinkles had formed on his forehead.
“You were just four, Riley. When your dad left, my aunt Marlowe invited you and your mom to move in with us.” I shot Kathryn an icy stare. “See, Kathryn? Riley and I go way back.” I smirked and loved being able to throw that back in her face.
“Griffin,” Kathryn began.
“Shut it!” I yelled. I walked toward Riley and stood in front of him. “Remember the help that I asked of you?” Riley nodded. “Lars had me help him as well. My great-grandfather started a journal, notating the people who stole from Evans Financial. It’s been passed down and is now in my possession. Sometimes, an individual who has wronged us in our personal lives also ends up in the journal. Kathryn is in the book for a few reasons. She took part in an affair while employed by Lars, but also is the ex-wife of an employee of Evans Financial. Her ex died this year, and per their divorce, she was set to begin receiving his pension six months after his death.” I paused and glanced at Kathryn. “She’s not going to see a fucking cent of it.”
“Griffin—”
I held my hand up for her to stop talking. I returned my gaze to Riley and looked down at his dick.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Riley. Will you help me clean up the journal and continue to uphold the core beliefs of my company?”
“Do you mean … that we’d be partners?” he asked.
“Precisely.” I ran my hand from the outside of his knee to his hip. “I’d like to be partners in all things, Riley.” I alluded to the possibility of more than just business partners.
“Yes. I’d love all of that,” he said as I stood upright. His eyes followed mine as I stood, and I could see his throat move as he swallowed. “I have worked so hard for you to notice and remember me, Griffin.”
I reached down and took hold of his jaw.
“I’ve been with you every step of the way, Riley. As I said, I’ve been waiting for you.” I smiled and tousled his hair. I was so tempted to kiss him, but that was for later, privately. “We need to get rid of Kathryn first, Wolverine.”
“Griffin! We’re supposed to be married!” Kathryn chimed in. I shrugged.
“It was all a ploy, Kathryn. I went along with it to lure you in until I could finish what my uncle hadn’t been able to do. It’s time to pay the piper for the damage you’ve caused.”
“Griffin, please!”
“No,” I interrupted. I’d heard enough.
