“What do we do now?” Jude had his knife out, flipping it in his hand. He’d had plenty of accidents when he was younger, the knife embedding itself in his hand many times. But in the end, he came out a master with the blade, his aim true and his confidence unshakeable.
Gabriel coughed once I released him, then clapped me on the back. Ignoring my glare, he righted his suit. “Now we sort out the mess Liam has gotten himself in.”
“You’ve done quite enough. I’m going to sort out my own mess.” And I already had a plan.
Jude caught his knife and put it back in its sheath. “We can help.”
“Good. Because I need you to do something for me.”
Gabriel stepped up. “Anything.”
I was hoping he’d say that.
“Great. Then you’ll be at the ceremony tonight, becoming the new head of the Olysses family.”
All movement ceased, quite a feat for Jude, who always fidgeted.
Two sets of familiar eyes stared at me, both of my brothers speechless for once in their lives. I was tempted to take a picture. It would make a great addition to the photo wall in the beach house.
“Did you hit your head too hard on the floor?” Gabriel asked.
“Did we cut off your oxygen for too long?” Jude inquired at the same time.
Walking to my office, I motioned for them to follow. “Quite the opposite. For the first time in a while, I’m thinking clearly.”
Jude’s eyes bulged, and he looked like he’d burst a few blood vessels. “You better pack your bags and hope Dad won’t find you wherever you decide to hide.”
“Have you lost your mind? I can’t be the boss,” Gabriel spluttered, his face going an interesting shade of red.
“You’ve been by my side since day one. You know the business inside out. You know what to do. And if you stopped screwing around, you’d be an excellent leader.”
“I don’t want to be a leader.” He looked like he’d bitten into a lemon. “That was always meant to be you. You always had the best grades, were focused, and knew what you wanted to do your whole life. Are you willing to throw everything out the window for some random woman who doesn’t even want you?”
Ignoring him, I retrieved the contract from where Quinn had left it on the floor. Finally taking charge of my life felt amazing. Invigorating. “I’ll become your second. Guide you until you feel confident to take over.”
Gabriel and Jude followed me to the elevator, resembling two lost little lambs. It would have been funny if they weren’t so confused. Pushing the button, I turned to Gabriel. “First lesson: if you don’t know what’s going on, pretend you do. Starting now.”
Finally closing his mouth, Gabriel shook his head. “I don’t agree with this. You can’t make me the boss.”
“Ican’t. That’s why we’re meeting Dad. Oh, and you also gained a fiancée.” Slapping him on his back the same way he’d done to me before, I grinned. “Congratulations.”
“Take a moment to think about what you’re doing. Nobody wants me as the boss. I’m reckless. I party too much. Dad is going to have a heart attack when he hears about this. Do you want his death on your conscience?”
“He’ll be fine. He wants someone to take over. I doubt it matters if that’s me or you, as long as it’s one of his sons.”
“I feel left out. You didn’t even think to ask me,” Jude grumbled, arms crossed over his chest.
“The job is all yours if you want it,” Gabriel was quick to jump in. “I’ll even stay your second.”
The elevator doors opening cut off any further conversation. “Meet me at Dad’s,” I called back to them, then got in my car.
Jude and Gabriel jumped in another car, following me out of the parking garage.
I wasn’t looking forward to the conversation I was about to have with my family, but in the end, I was sure this was for the best. My heart hadn’t been fully in it for at least a year. Besides, I wasn’t intending on leaving the family business completely, only making adjustments.
Hopefully, it would lessen the sting of my decision.
I called Pete on the way, asking him to find Quinn and keep her safe until I could get there.
