Primal Surrender (19 page)

Sighing heavily, Gaven leaned back against his desk and shook his head, “I told you to do what you were passionate about, because—”

“Passion breeds success,” she finished for him, hearing the words again in her head, and in a new light. “You didn’t want me to follow you into the business?”

“Whoa! I never said that. I just wanted you to find something you loved, and embrace it. You tried every possible hobby as a child, but you weren’t passionate about them. They didn’t feed your soul. If buying and selling properties does that for you, then I will gladly pass the baton to you, but I don’t think it does. I know you have put me on some sort of pedestal in your head, but you need to see my failures and imperfections too, peanut. I chose money and success over my family.”

Slowly shaking her head, she frowned, “But, I’m not sure what I’m passionate about.”

“You seem awfully keen on the people of Stone River. Was there someone special you left behind?” The accuracy of his question made her gasp and she stared up at him wide-eyed, making him laugh, “Yes, your mother told me you were seeing someone. Two someone’s in fact, which I’ll admit, threw me for a loop. Tell me about these men who have stolen my daughter’s heart.”

Panic filled her stomach and she shook her head, “I’m not ready to talk about it yet.”

“Okay. But don’t cut your mother and me out, peanut. I want a chance to meet them, especially if they bring that spark of fire into your eyes. They’ve got to be pretty special.” The reassuring smile on her father’s face made her heart stutter, and she felt guilty about keeping the truth from him.

“There’s no future there. They don’t want what I want, and I live in Austin.”

“Do you really want to be with two men, Claudia? Have you thought through all of the issues that could arise? The legalities—”

“I didn’t come here to talk about my relationship, Daddy,” she interrupted, unwilling to hear the list of cons for this relationship repeated. They had been on a loop for days in her head, so why revisit the issue. “I need to know what my next assignment is.”

Instead of answering her, Gaven stood and moved to the coffee pot to fix himself a cup. The silence in the room was deafening and she began to fidget after a few minutes. “Dad?”

“Stone River is your next assignment, peanut.”

Shaking her head, she sighed, “I already told you there’s no hope for Granite Estates—”

“Not Granite Estates, Claudia, Stone River. I want you to find your happiness, peanut, even if it means breaking your heart first. You can pack your desk up and head back to Stone River as soon as possible.”

Shock and anger filled her as she processed his words. “You’re firing me?”

“I wouldn’t put it that way. I would say I’m pushing you out of the nest. At thirty-five it’s time you stopped worrying about my approval, and started living your life for yourself. Go back to that old farmhouse your mom was telling me you bought, and be happy. Find your passion. You have a trust fund, and I’ll call the lawyer as soon as you leave to make sure it’s turned over into your name. It will last you decades even if you don’t work.” Gaven looked back at her calmly, but she felt nothing but betrayal.

“After all of the time and work I’ve put into this company, you’re just kicking me to the curb?”

“No, peanut. I’m letting you live. Maybe you’ll realize that this is the best place for you, but you need to go figure it out. I’m sorry for upsetting you, but I love you too much to watch you bury your heart in business like I did for the last forty years.”

Now it was her turn to pace the room, and she did so twisting her hands in frustration as she worked through his reasonable responses. “I don’t understand. What changed? After four decades of nothing but business, why are you so determined to make me feel something when you never did?”

Turning around to face him, she saw what she hadn’t seen before. The broken blood vessels in the whites of his eyes, the stress lining his face and the sickly gray tint his skin had taken on since she left Austin a few weeks before.

“What’s wrong, Daddy? And don’t try to tell me nothing.” Crossing her arms, she waited for the worst.

“I’m getting to old for this. My heart is weak, and the doctor is worried stress will bring on a heart attack in the next couple of years. If that happens I’ll be lucky to survive, much less come back to work. I’ve wasted most of my life building a business, but for what? This company can’t keep me alive. It can’t give me a new heart, or make me a healthy vigorous young man again. Don’t waste your life like I have, Claudia. Promise me you will find what makes you happy. No matter what it is.” A tear fell from the corner of his eye, and shock washed over her.

Her father was sick. He was in the twilight of his life, and here she was behaving like a spoiled princess. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I wish I had known.”

“Why? So you could coddle me like your mother tries to? Bah! I don’t need to be treated like an invalid. I just need to know that if something happens to me, you’re going to live on and be happy in your choices. So please, go back to Stone River, and find the young man or men that makes your heart skip a beat. Wrap them around your little finger like you did me thirty-five years ago, and don’t let go.”

Claudia rushed to her father, embracing him and holding him tight. Crying into his shoulder as he hugged her. Feeling a true bond of love with him for the first time in decades. In that moment she should have told him all about the Thompson brothers. She should have explained her dilemma and why she couldn’t go back, but she wasn’t willing to risk him getting upset. Instead, she clung to him, and whispered promises she wasn’t sure she could keep. Comforted by the fact her father loved her and was proud of her no matter what her future held.

She had wasted so much time believing that her father was all about business, and wouldn’t accept her if she followed her heart. Knowing that she had his approval eased her soul, and made the pain of losing Mack and Ryker that much more difficult to absorb.

*****

Mack slammed the front door behind him as he entered the cabin Friday after taking off early. The stench of alcohol and depression was so heavy it hung in the air making his stomach turn. Ryker was a broken man, and he didn’t know how to fix him. For days Ryk had occupied his chair, drinking beer and staring at the television without really absorbing anything on it. All Mack knew was his brother had managed to successfully seduce Claudia, and in turn she had disappeared. They assumed she went back to Austin, but she wasn’t answering her cell phone, so they really had no idea at this point. After days with no answers, Mack was tired of it, and he was determined to find his woman, and bring his brother back to the land of the living.

“Get up,” he snapped, kicking the footstool Ryker’s legs rested on.

The nasty curl of Ryk’s lip said more than words ever could, but he grunted a, “What for?”

“We’re taking a road trip to Austin.”

Instantly a spark of life lit up his brother’s eyes, and Ryker sat up, leaning forward. “You heard from her?”

“Nope, and that’s why we’re going after her. We know where she works. That will get us started.” He stomped into the bathroom to shower before packing an overnight bag.

There was no way to know what Claudia was thinking without going after her and asking her. She still owned the house in Stone River, so she would have to come back eventually, but Mack wasn’t willing to wait. The more he thought about the half-baked plan he and Ryker had tried to pull on her, the more he felt guilty. If she believed she had cheated on Mack with his brother she would be sick with guilt, and thanks to his brother’s silent treatment, he really didn’t know if Ryker had managed to tell her they both wanted her or not.

The urge to punch something ran hot under his skin, and just grew more intense when he found Ryker still slumped in his recliner. “What the fuck are you doing? I said we’re going after her.”

“No, you’re going after her. I’m staying here so you can get her back. If I go, there’s not a chance in hell she’ll even speak to you. Face it, man. Sleeping with me disgusted her enough she left town.”

Mack rolled his eyes and grabbed his brother’s arm, jerking him out of the chair to his feet. “You will not go back to the pity party you just climbed out of, little brother. I saw the look on her face when she was around you. She wanted you as much as she wanted me. There’s no doubt in my mind. So find your balls and pack a bag. You’re going with me.”

When Ryker finally met his eyes, the look on his face was like a punch to Mack’s gut. “I can’t hear her say it out loud, Mack. If she wants you and not me…I just don’t know what I’ll do.”

“Don’t count the chickens till they hatch, little bro. Get a move on.” He forced back his own doubts in order to solidify his brother, and get them out the door. There were no answers until they found Claudia.

*****

This was insane
, Ryker thought as they walked into the towering building that held Schmidt Properties two hours later. His palms were sweating and his stomach was churning. Claudia might tell them both to go to hell, or she might have them arrested for stalking. What if she hated him after the other night?

He had known the moment she pushed him away something was wrong, but the ache in his heart at her withdrawal kept him from searching her out for answers. When he walked out the door he knew in his heart she had made her choice, and yet here he was chasing after her. It was cracked. There was no way she would welcome them with open arms.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened letting them out onto the floor that held Claudia’s office. To their surprise the secretary outside the door explained she no longer worked for the company.

“What do you mean? Did she quit?” Mack snapped at the short round woman who looked a little like a bulldog.

“I’m not at liberty to say, sir, but she doesn’t work for Schmidt Properties anymore,” Ms. Bulldog responded, shaking her pewter colored bun firmly.

Ryker gave her a flirty smile and relaxed his stance, assuming the role of cocky playboy in the hopes that the good cop routine might bring out her chatty side. “If she’s not here, would you happen to know how we might get ahold of her? It’s about the Granite Estates project in Stone River, Texas.”

Ms. Bulldogs eyes widened, “Oh, of course! I didn’t realize you were here on business. My apologies. Mr. Schmidt is on the project until he assigns a new PM to it. His office is up one floor. Would you like me to see if he’s available to speak with you?”

Nodding, Ryker gave her a brighter smile, and stroked his beard like he was thinking, “Sure, I suppose that would work. We didn’t realize Ms. Schmidt wouldn’t be on the project anymore, but I’m sure her father can assist us.”

Smiling back at him, Ms. Bulldog rang upstairs and confirmed Gaven Schmidt was indeed in his office and would be happy to speak to the two of them. Once they had reached the safety of the elevator Mack seemed to relax.

“Thanks. I panicked when she said Claudia wasn’t here.”

Ryker nodded, “I know, but charming women is my area of expertise. You can handle the Papa-bear, since I got Ms. Bulldog.”

“Ms. Bulldog?” Mack snickered, “Yeah I can see it.”

They exited the elevator and were greeted by another secretary who led them into a well-appointed office. Gaven Schmidt wasn’t at all what Ryker expected, and he stared back at the two of them warily.

After shaking their hands, he offered them a seat before saying, “This is an unexpected surprise, and I apologize for the change in project managers—”

“Mr. Schmidt, we didn’t come here about Stone River or the project. We’re here looking for Claudia,” Mack said. His voice was calm and firm, with just enough determination to bring a curious look to Gaven’s eyes.

“Claudia? I see. Well, unfortunately my daughter has decided to leave the company and she’s currently on a sabbatical. I’ll be happy to pass on a message to her, Mr. Thompson, but may I ask why you’re so determined to find her?” Gaven leaned back in his chair, and for the first time Ryker saw the vicious shark of a businessman who had built Schmidt Properties into a multi-billion dollar company.

“You can ask,” Mack said shortly.

“Please, indulge me. This is my only daughter we’re talking about here.”

Before Mack could dig them a deeper hole, Ryker intervened. “Sir, Claudia was dating my brother while she was in Stone River, and she left after a misunderstanding. He was hoping to find her and clear the air. Even if she chooses to stay in Austin, it’s important we find her and talk to her.”

Gaven Schmidt stared back at them, shrewd intelligence taking in their every movement as he decided whether or not to help them. Ryker didn’t even realize he was holding his breath until Gaven nodded.

“She needs a man who’s just as stubborn as she is, Mr. Thompson. I’m not going to give you her address, but I’ll arrange a meeting.”

Mack’s smile lit up his face, and Ryker felt the same stupid grin spread over his own cheeks. “Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. We would greatly appreciate it.”

“Tomorrow evening. I’ll book the private room at
TRIO
. Eight o’clock, boys, don’t be late.” Gaven stood, signaling the end of their meeting, so they followed his lead and headed for the door, thanking him again. Before they were out the door, he stopped them with one more question. “Have you told her you’re both in love with her yet?”

Ryker had to grab onto the door handle to avoid falling over in shock. Love? Was he in love with her? He’d only known her a week. Was it even possible? More shock rippled through his system when Mack winked at him and shook his head.

“Not yet, sir, but we intend to tomorrow night at eight sharp.”

Gaven nodded, “Good. She needs her world shaken up just a bit but, boys, if you hurt her, I’ll bring the hounds of hell down on your heads.”

“Understood, sir, and thank you,” Mack responded, pushing Ryker out the door in front of him.

*****

Claudia wasn’t thrilled to get the message from her father that he wanted her to meet him at
TRIO
for dinner Saturday evening. After four days packing up the rest of her belongings in preparation for transport to Stone River, she was mentally and physically wiped out. She didn’t particularly feel hospitable now that she was unemployed and anticipating facing Mack and Ryker again.