Of course Dad would take Ryan’s side. He always has, and I’ve no doubt it’s because Ryan takes after him with his dark hair, his gray eyes, and his insecurities. Ryan is a true Vaughn, unlike me, who looks more like my mom and grandfather with my blonde hair and blue eyes. Hallie’s the only true mix with her long black locks and deep blue Parker eyes.
Dad’s always been bitter that he has to play second fiddle to his wife when it comes to the company and the family’s wealth, and he’s extended that feeling toward me in a lot of ways. Maybe if my parents didn’t hate each other, things would be different… but this is literally a house divided, and I’m stuck in the middle of it.
“What I do in my private life has nothing to do with the company,” I snarl, maintaining as calm an exterior as possible even as I’m boiling with anger and not a small amount of embarrassment. “I’m discreet, and it’s not like I’m the only man of significant means and standing that goes to clubs like that. At least I’m not going around fucking my way through the company’s employee registry and getting HR complaints.” I give Ryan a pointed look. The color drains from his face and his eyes go wide, but he keeps his mouth shut in a tight line.
Yeah, that’s right. I’m not the only one with secrets at this table. Fucker better remember that I’m just as capable of digging up humiliating dirt as he is.
“Of course your private life matters!” Dad slaps his hand on the table in frustration, either missing my jab at Ryan or choosing to ignore it completely. “This is a billion dollarcompany! You will be under constant scrutiny as CEO, and we can’t risk embarrassment. If you’re not going to take this seriously, then perhaps you aren’t the one who should take over Parker Global.”
Dad would love nothing more than for Grandfather to hand the company over to Ryan rather than me.
“That’s enough,” Grandfather barks, glaring at all of us. We all fall quiet immediately. “Jayce, unfortunately, your father has a point. You need to be careful and take your role in this family more seriously. We agreed you could pursue your hockey career until you turned thirty-five, then you would become CEO of Parker Global. You have six years until that happens, but you need to start proving now that you understand the responsibility that is going to be placed on your shoulders. Not just to our employees, stakeholders, and this family, but to the Parker legacy and its continuation into the future.”
I want to argue that I do take my role seriously, but I keep my mouth shut. I can’t ignore the jab his words cause in my chest. When it comes to Dad, I don’t really give a shit what he thinks of me. Grandfather, though… I hate the thought of disappointing him. Of falling short of his expectations.
Instead, I ask, “How can I prove it to you?”
Grandfather rests his elbows on the table and steeples his fingers. “I want you to attend the Silicon Valley fundraising gala. I know you don’t have a game this weekend, so I expect you to be there and to be professional. Until you prove you’re serious about your future with the company, I want you to attend all such events that don’t clash with your hockey schedule. You need to start building your reputation as a reliable and competent businessman rather than a playboy.”
Fuck, I hate this. I hate being treated like some unreliable child and having my free time dictated. I clench my hands intofists in my lap but I push back my frustration and give my grandfather an obedient nod.
“All right,” I murmur. “I won’t disappoint you.”
Smiling, Grandfather appears pleased. “I know you won’t, my boy. That’s why you’re the best choice.”
He shoots a cold look toward Ryan and Dad, who both go quiet, but I can tell Ryan is boiling with rage.
Half the table is pissed off, and half the table is feeling smug…just a typical family dinner in the Vaughn/Parker household.
I leave the house as soon as dinner’s over and head downtown toward Club Élysée. A part of me is feeling exceptionally petty and rebellious and going to the club feels like a “fuck you” to Ryan, but I know I need to be even more careful not to be seen there. He’s probably still got people following me. Still, I need to blow off some steam, and I tried calling my hockey bros, but they’re all busy with their girls…except for Wilder, but that motherfucker isn’t answering his phone at all.
Thinking about Jensen, Carson, Owen, and now Zander, my teammates and friends, all tripping over themselves to please their women, I shake my head. They’re all fools. Real love doesn’t exist, and if it does, marriage is the surest way to kill it. My parents will be sleeping in separate beds tonight, in their separate rooms. There’s no love between them. Their marriage was a business transaction, pure and simple. Arranged by my grandfather to strengthen Parker Global’s reach in the realestate industry. I grew up knowing full well my parents couldn’t stand each other and only put on a unified front in public.
In private, they stay away from each other, and neither is faithful to their marriage. I hate thinking about all the affairs the two have likely had over the years.
Shaking my head, I shove thoughts of my parents and my lovesick friends out of my mind. None of them matter right now.
As I pull into the private parking garage for the club, my blood heats and my dick twitches with anticipation. Yeah, this is what I need.
I get out of my car and make my way to the elevator, riding it up to the club’s most exclusive floor. A membership card is required to open the elevator doors, and I pull mine from my pocket and swipe it in the keycard reader. The doors slide open, and I step into a luxuriously decorated entryway with marble floors and crimson padded walls. For the first time since arriving at my parents’ house earlier this evening, I feel like I can breathe again. Like a weight is lifting off my shoulders. Across from the elevator is a dark wood desk, behind which is standing a gorgeous woman with straight platinum hair wearing a short black skirt and vest with nothing underneath. She looks up as I approach, her crimson lips curling into a smile.
“Good evening, Mr. Vaughn. A pleasure to see you.”
“Good evening, Vivian,” I reply.
She bats her long lashes at me. “How can I help you?”
I regard her for a moment, letting my eyes sweep over her. Her cheeks pinken, and it’s clear she’s enjoying my attention.
“Are you free?” I ask.
Her lips part in surprise. “Oh! I…yes, I can be. Let me just call up someone to watch the desk for me.”
“Great. I’ll take my usual room.”
She licks her lips and nods. “Yes, sir. It’s ready for you. It’s always ready for you.”
“Good. Don’t keep me waiting.”
