When I pulled up to the mansion, my resolve strengthened. Not once since making it had I doubted my decision. Instead, I felt liberated.
Dad was waiting at the door, frown on his face. I’d texted him, only telling him we needed an emergency meeting. He’d improved every day since coming home, his color coming back, his steps steadier.
It helped that he had the best nurse in Mom and the newest equipment and best care money could buy.
I walked up the steps, Jude and Gabriel close behind me.
“What’s this about an emergency meeting?” Dad turned for his office, knowing we’d follow. “Did you find out who shot me?”
“Not quite,” Jude said, his step entirely too enthusiastic, his voice holding misplaced excitement.
Gabriel was the last through the door, closing it behind him.
Dad sat down in his chair, looking at us with raised brows. “So, what is this about? Out with it.”
“Liam has fallen in love,” Jude singsonged, earning himself a punch on the arm from Gabriel and the promise of more pain from me later.
Dad’s gaze swung from one to the other. “And that’s cause for a meeting?”
“It is when the idiot steps down from taking over because he doesn’t want to marry the Russian princess,” Gabriel put in, cutting me off.
Dad’s face went slack, his arms dropped on the desk, and he blinked at me. Eventually regaining his composure, he cleared his throat. “Sorry, but I thought I heard you say that Liam, my firstborn, the one groomed to take over the business since he could walk, is stepping down.”
Jude leaned forward, enjoying this entirely too much, the little fucker. “That’s exactly what you heard.”
“Gabriel knows as much about the business as I do. He’ll be a great boss,” I cut in. I’d have to make him see it as an advantage to the business. “And he won’t be distracted like I am. You know I love this family, and I’ve given everything to the business.”
“And wait for it.” Jude pretended to do a drumroll, banging his hands on the table. “Here’s thebutwe’re all waiting for.”
Ignoring my obnoxious little brother, I looked at Dad, making sure I had his attention. “Quinn changed things.” Dad’s face went red, and his mouth opened, but I held my hand up and kept talking, for once not showing him the respect he deserved. “I love her. And the look on her face when she found out I was engaged will haunt me for the rest of my life. I’m going to make this right and get her back.”
Gabriel scoffed. “You’re awfully sure you’ll win her back. She was pretty pissed when she ran out of the office.”
Not turning his way, I gave him the finger, all my attention still on Dad, who was less red but still looked ready to pop a blood vessel.
“You’re stepping down, giving up your birthright for a girl you’ve known for about two seconds.” Putting his hands on top of the desk, he leaned forward. “Marrying the Russian brat doesn’t mean you can’t keep someone else on the side. You’ll be able to do whatever you want.”
Gritting my teeth, I knew I had to stand my ground now or risk getting outvoted. “Swapping places with Gabriel doesn’t mean I’m abandoning my birthright. Only amending it slightly.”
“Do you even care what everyone else wants to do? Or is this once again only about the mighty Liam?” Gabriel complained, still not on board with the idea of taking over. I would have thought he’d love it. He’d finally get to tell me what to do.
“Like Dad said, you’ll be the most powerful man in Chicago,” I told him. “You can get all the women you want.”
He leaned back in his chair, pouting. “I’ll also be married. That kind of puts a damper on my plans.”
“It’s only on paper. You don’t even know her. I’m sure she’ll be happy to let you live your life, as long as she gets to live hers. I bet she doesn’t want this marriage any more than you do.”
Sitting up, Gabriel glowered at me, his brows pinched. “Then why can’t you marry her? Buy your wife her own house, and Quinn could even move in with you.”
“Quinn would never go for that. You didn’t see the way she looked at me when she found out I was engaged.”
“You’re still engaged,” Dad growled. “The ceremony to officially make you the boss istonight.” He pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers. “You boys have always had the worst timing.”
His resolve cracked, and I took a sledgehammer to it without remorse. “I’ve made my decision, and there’s no changing it. Gabriel will be a great boss. Probably better than I ever was.”
“Fuck you. I don’t want to be the boss,” Gabriel snarled, then turned to Jude, who jumped out of his chair, putting his hands up.
“No way. Stop looking at me like that. I’m the youngest. There’s no way anyone will accept me taking over. They would have seen you at meetings. You know all the big players. Much easier transition than if this was me.”
