With one last look through the penthouse, I gather my clothes and let my driver know I’ll be down shortly. No reason to prolong the inevitable.
The drive to my family estate is just as depressing as always. It’s a prison disguised as a home. One that was once mine and will eventually be mine again. Of course, my father not-so-politely requested that I arrive before any of our guests, so we’ll be alone for our meeting.
Calming myself with a few deep breaths, I open my door and make my way to the front of the house. If I’m lucky, Father will be hard at work, and I can slip up to my old room and snort a line before schmoozing my way through the night. To my dismay, the man himself greets me at the door.
“Junior. I’m surprised to see that you actually showed up here early. I have some things to discuss with you before our guests arrive.”
Everything within me wants to deflate, but I keep my posture proud, lest I give him any more cause to resent me.
“Hello to you too, Father.” I offer my hand to shake, a sign of respect he would never let me forget, and follow him into his office.
He guides me to a chair in front of his desk and motions for me to take a seat before sitting down himself. He has always preferred to be the last one standing.
“I hope everything is going well. How is Mother?”
“I’m sure she’ll be around tonight, so you’ll be able to ask her yourself. That’s not what this is about.” He slides a folder across his desk to me, then grabs one of his own. “Son, you’re about to be thirty-five years old. It’s damn well time you stepped into a larger role in the company. Especially with your engagement to Natalya being announced next year, we want to make sure you’re viewed as one of the leaders of the Sinclair Corporation…”
I stop listening as he drones on and on about my upcoming obligations. Take over the family empire, marry some Russian bitch I’ve never even met, blah blah blah. It’s a life I’ve always known I would have, but one I’ve done my absolute damnedest to run from. It’s been something of a game for me, balancing how much trouble I can get into without invoking the wrath of Henry Sinclair Sr. Abusive isn’t a strong enough word to describe my father when it comes to making him angry. I learned from a very young age to avoid it like the plague.
Our butler phones in, letting us know our guests are starting to arrive, and Father finally stops droning on about whatever bullshit plans he has formylife. “Very well, Son. I’ll see you around. Make the family proud tonight.”
With that, he’s gone. I slouch down in my seat, needing just amomentto calm down before going out into the lion's den. With a sigh, I pull myself together and leave the office, only to be immediately greeted by my best friend John Carter Jr. He’s been my closest confidant for as long as I can remember. Our families were always close, and neither of us had siblings, so we grew upas thick as thieves. The shenanigans the two of us have gotten into over the years…I can’t fight a grin.
“Your dad said you’d be back here.” He hands me a joint and pulls one out of his suit pocket for himself before lighting them both. “You’ll need this tonight. We can do the stronger stuff after it’s over. The Pemberton twins arrived as we were pulling up, andgoddamn,they’re looking good. I’ve already arranged for the four of us,and any other lucky lady who might want to join,to ditch this shit show when everyone gets too drunk to care and go back to my place for somerealfun.”
Fuck yes, a drug-fueled orgy sounds like the perfect light at the end of this godforsaken day.
“Have I told you lately that you’re the fucking best?” I take a deep inhale of my joint and throw my arm around Carter’s neck. “Let’s get this over with.”
Chapter six
Jesus.I knew a Sinclair bachelor party would be tame since all of these men are completely gone for their women, but this is just sad. Even though Jack and Margot have been legally married for years, I still expected a certain level of frivolity tonight. Instead, after a delicious dinner and dessert catered at Henry’s house, where the bachelorette party is also taking place, we’ve been mostly sharing sappy stories about the girls.
Granted, I can’t say I’m much better than these guys now that Lucy and I are blissfully wed. It’s natural to join in with Ledger, Jack, and Henry, reminiscing on family holidays and get-togethers. My dad was also able to come, which I know the guys appreciate since he’s been around a lot more lately. Even with his business responsibilities, he’s spent as much time as possible with Kat and me, so he’s practically a Sinclair himself at this point.
He watches us all talk about our great loves with a wan smile, slowly sipping the vodka cocktail he’s been nursing all evening. I’ve tried to tell him that there are plenty of ways to find love these days and that the dating apps can be perfect even for olderpeople thanks to the age settings, but he hasn’t been interested. Lucy and I learned why a while ago, but I haven’t asked him if he’s still not able to let go of the memory of Kat’s mom. We’re close, but I don’t want to scratch a wound that might not be completely healed. If anything happened to Lucy, I’m not sure I’d ever love again, so I can’t say I don’t understand.
Ledger is regaling us with the tale of his and Sloane’s courtship for the third time this evening, and he’s censoring less and less of the story as he goes. I’m on the verge of hearing much more about my sister-in-law than I ever wanted to know when I’m saved as the door to the study bursts open, and Blanche flounces in.
“I hope you all are doing somet…Oh! What on earth is this?”
Glancing around the room, I see we’re relaxing and drinking as we have been all evening. I’m not sure what she’s so surprised by.
“Mom? What do you mean? We’re just hanging out,” Ledger says, standing to give Blanche a hug and a kiss on the cheek as Henry follows suit. She waves me off when I try to stand to do the same, instead plopping down next to me on the couch and pouring herself a glass of straight tequila.
She sips it, then shrugs. “Well, I just expected something a little more lively going on, you know. Especially considering what the girls are up to on the other side of the house.”
Jack, Ledger, and Henry are up and out of the study in a flash, leaving Dad and me alone with Blanche.
“Sasha, are you not going to join the dramatic brigade as they go investigate what nefarious activities their women are getting up to?” Dad asks with a smile.
“Absolutely not. Whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll hear about it later. Or, if it’sthatnefarious, she canshowme.” I laugh. “Let the girls have their fun. Although if I were a betting man, I would almostguarantee that things aren’t any wilder over there than they are here. Are they, Blanche?”
With a sigh, she knocks back the rest of her tequila and refills her glass.
“Spot on, my dear. Those girls are just as boring as you all. I came here hoping for some action, some excitement, even apoker game! But no, you’re all over here sitting around and missing them just like they’re over there missing you.” She watches the low flames dance in the fireplace for a moment before continuing. “I suppose it’s a blessing to consider that all my children are so happy that one evening apart inspires melancholy. And that I’ve added more to my brood now that all the spouses have joined the family. You too, Sasha dear, and my Lucy of course. I consider you all full Sinclair children now, and I love you both very much, you know that.”
“I know, Blanche. And I love you, too.”
