“You wasted a trip. Get lost!” he snaps.
“Joseph,” Caroline scolds.
“I know why he’s here, Caroline. He upset Simone, and now he's here to do even more damage.”
“I'm not sure what she told you, Joseph—” I begin with reason.
“She's upset. That’s all I need to know.”
“And that’s why I'm here. I need insight, and you’re the only one who can give it to me.” I slip past Caroline. “Just give me five minutes. If you don't like what I have to say, I'll leave quietly.”
“Winters’ don't do anything quietly,” he grunts passive-aggressively.
I understand where his resentment stems from. After the split of the company, my father just had to add fuel to the fire and drag Joseph's name through the mud. Everything fell apart because of Alfonzo, but because they were brothers, my father didn't discriminate. Almost losing his company nearly destroyed him, and he wanted to send a message that when you mess with a Winters, you pay a hefty price. And Joseph did.
“You have three minutes. Sit,” he orders sternly.
I get right down to it. Joseph is my only chance for finding Simone, so I need to sway him to my side.
“Look, I'm just going to come right out and say it. No beating around the bush. I'm in love with Simone. It's not just some fling or conquest. I have been in love with her since New Year’s Eve.”
Joseph's jaw ticks. I don't think that’s what he wanted to hear. But isn't honesty the best policy? “I thought things were going in a good direction, but then we had a moment, and she kinda freaked out. I just want to talk to her. I want to make things right. I know she has issues, but maybe if she confides in me, we can work past them.” The last sentence is the most genuine of my life. I want nothing more than to work past whatever issues Simone has. I just want to be with her. No matter what it is.
Joseph exhales, tossing his reading glasses onto the desk. Did I make some headway? Or is he about to go ape-shit on me?
“Listen, son. Coming here and confronting me is commendable, but you’re right. Simone does have some serious issues,” he shares solemnly. “When I first met her, she was a bundle of energy, always smiling, in good spirits, and up for any challenge. Despite all of Alfonzo’s faults, she really was the apple of his eye for the short time he was in her life. And when he passed, I took on the role of surrogate father.”
“Which is why you’re so protective of her,” I add, slowly but surely snapping the puzzle pieces together.
“Partially, yes.”
“What’s the other part?” I’m completely invested now.
The hesitation is clear on Joseph’s face; he doesn’t want to betray Simone’s trust. “Joseph, please, you are the only person who can help me,” I press. “If I don’t know, I can’t handle it the right way. Don’t you want to see Simone happy? I know I do, and I want to be the man to do that every single day.”
Joseph narrows his eyes. “You really do care about her?” The inquiry is suspicious.
“I just told you I love her,” I state with utmost confidence.
“I don’t think she can handle another broken heart, Ty. That girl, she’s been through the ringer.”
“How so? Please, just tell me.” I’m desperate for answers now. Simone being so close, knowing she’s in arm’s reach, I’m starting to get antsy. I just want to see her.
“Three years ago,” Joseph begins, “Simone was deployed. She was stationed on this little satellite base in the middle of nowhere. A convoy had been hit, and there were injuries. She was there to assist.” He inhales and exhales heavily. It’s evident telling this story is just as hard for him as it would be for Simone. My pulse pounds in my neck. “There was a night attack. Rocket launchers or something breached the perimeter. Simone’s shelter caught fire. She almost died of smoke inhalation, but the fire was contained, and she was pulled out. But. . .” He clears his throat, raw with emotion. “She was burned badly.”
“How badly? And where?”
“Third degree burns on her arm and side. She was in ICU for weeks and underwent several skin grafts to repair the damage. But it was too great. She’s permanently scarred.”
“That’s what she wouldn’t tell me? I don’t care about a few scars,” I nearly explode. I know I have a reputation for being cold, but it’s only when it comes to business. I’m capable of being human, too. I tried to show that side of me to Simone. I thought it was working for a minute.
“It’s so much more than physical scars. Simone was engaged to a man named Seth Morrison.”
“Is that name supposed to mean something to me?”
“Probably not, but in this area, the family is well known. Old money, public persona, and big business.”
“So, what happened?”
