Page 96 of Brazen Obsession

Roger stands, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He has a dual shoulder harness with guns in each holster. I’m sure he’s ready to use one if he needs to. I’m hoping he doesn’t need to.

Tom getting shot is enough. I don’t need to hold Sara while one of us is down. Last night she curled into me and I held her. We’ll have nights where I take her every way I can, but last night was somber.

We found what we could to help neuter Alexander from coming after us, but Finn was right. It wouldn’t be a long-term solution. It’d be a bandage on a gaping wound.

“Anyone else want to say anything during our little get together?” Colin looks around. His green eyes are dead serious. “I don’t do well with interruptions, so if you want to say something, you tap once on the table and I’ll acknowledge you.”

“Understood,” Finn says.

One of the guys in black standing on the wall next to Roger steps forward and whispers in Colin’s ear before straightening.

“We’re on, gentlemen and lady.” Colin winks at Natasha on his left side.

The room falls silent as we hear approaching footsteps. Alexander has brought Noelle and two men with him. He glances at all of us before taking the seat across from Colin.

“It’s an honor, Mr. Lawson.” Alexander leans back in his chair.

Noelle sits on his right while the men flank them.

“Natasha.” Alexander rubs beside his lips. “You’re a hard girl to pin down. I look forward to doing it every night after our wedding.”

Yeah, good thing Tom isn’t with us. If this asshole had said that to Sara, I don’t think I could remain cool and levelheaded for this meeting.

Colin leans forward subtly and Alexander’s gaze returns to him. Like Colin is a predator on the hunt and Alexander’s in his sights. But everyone pays attention to Colin as the apex predator.

“Building another man’s legacy is difficult when that man is behind bars.” Colin’s words are slow and fill the room. “Especially when you were prepared to take his legacy through marriage.”

“We struck a deal and it should be honored.” Alexander glances at Natasha. “I was promised a bride.”

“One who would fight you every day of your lives.” Colin shakes his head. “That’s not what you want your life or marriage to be.”

Alexander’s eyes narrow and his lips tighten as he considers. Is he the kind of man who would prefer that?

“What are you proposing?” Alexander leans in just a little bit.

“Take Peter’s organization and expand it, grow it and show the people you’re their new leader. That the legacy is now yours.” Colin leans back and tilts his head with a grin. “Unless you like another man getting all the credit for your work.”

Alexander stiffens. “They know I’m the heir, but without Natasha by my side, there are some who won’t acknowledge me. Who will fight against me. Who will separate my empire.”

“Then don’t let them.” Colin leans his elbows on the table like he’s telling Alexander a secret. “Look, this business is hard. You need a wife who will be soft and love you when you come home from the grind. Not one who despises you so you have to sleep with one eye open, since she’s just as likely to cut your throat as your enemies are.”

I agree with the sentiment of what Colin says. Sara is my soft spot. She’s all our soft spots. That person who feels like home. She always has been even when she was just a kid. Now that we’re grown up, I want to get back to her and start our lives together. Yes, it might have been a rough start, but we’re stronger now. We can take on anyone. Together.

Alexander looks thoughtful. “You have something to offer me?”

“See?” Colin turns to Finn and smirks. “This guy gets it.”

Alexander shifts a little in his seat when Colin returns his attention to him.

“The boys have found your boss’s scheme to rip off his people. What you do with it is up to you. You can use it as blackmail to keep Peter from returning or you can pick up where he left off and have a nice nest egg of your own for your family. The one you want and create with the woman you love.”

One of Colin’s men in black steps forward and slides the packet of documentation we worked on last night over to Alexander. He gestures to the man beside him to collect it.

We all wait while the man opens it and looks through the printouts. We technically weren’t needed for this, but we wanted to show our solidarity. Knowing who Alexander is will help us make sure he doesn’t threaten us in the future.

“It’s good, boss.” The man replaces the printouts and puts his hands over the files.

Alexander looks at Wyatt, Finn, and me. “We started a relationship with your firm. Are you going to honor that agreement?”