Billionaire Stepbrother - Secret Lives (12 page)

Dante had Cynthia on his mind as he headed down to the conference room. He knew that the guy she had dated, that Winslow character, was an ass who hired women just to fool around with, but it seemed to be going further than that in this case. He couldn’t believe all that was going on right under his nose, and he hated to tell Cynthia, but he was pretty sure going and talking to him wasn’t going to make anything better. But he had to prove he trusted her, so he figured he’d let her do her thing and realize on her own that Winslow wasn’t going to back down. And sadly, if he was in Winslow’s place he’d be just as desperate to have her back. She was a beast at work and in the bedroom.

He smiled to himself, thinking back to the weekend they had spent in each other’s arms making up for lost time. She had spent almost the whole time in his bed sans clothing. It was probably the best weekend he’d had in a long time, considering what was going on with the MC. He had finally gone off on Bryant and now Bryant had all but disappeared. It made Dante feel a little blue knowing that their friendship was virtually over, but he had to protect his company.

As he approached the conference room, he shut his phone off and shoved it in his pocket hoping that Cynthia would be alright until after the meeting. He walked in to find a very serious looking panel of executives at the table. John, his stand in CEO was sitting at the head of the table and on each of his sides were the CFO, Kyle Bain, and the COO, Madeline Jones. She was the only woman who had made it that high up in the company.

Near the other end of the table, though, were two men he didn’t recognize. They looked like they could be related and were even wearing the same cheap suits in different colors as well as terrible toupees. At least he hoped that wasn’t their real hair.

What in the world was going on, and why were they all staring him down like he had a milk moustache or something? He took a free seat at the other end of the table and looked around, waiting for someone to start speaking. An ominous feeling was beginning to take over as one of the men got up to close the door and pull the shades. Something big was happening, and it made Dante uneasy. Especially since most of the eyes in the room were on him.

“Mr. Cross, I’m assuming you’re wondering why we’re all here today and what this is all about,” John, the CEO, began. “I want to start by telling you that everyone in this room has been made aware of your true position in this company. I apologize for the reveal, but in this case it was necessary for all parties to understand that you are the true owner and president of the business with all the voting rights here.”

Dante’s leg began bouncing under the table nervously. Everyone seemed to have a friendly smile on their face, but the smiles could easily be fake.

John continued. “We all want to thank you for the opportunity to work for such an amazing company as well as for your efforts to keep it going. Profits are way up recently, and the clients are just raving about this place. But, I’m afraid that there is a chink in our armor here, and we all need to be made aware of it. Actually, all of us here have been made aware of it, and that’s why you are here, Mr. Cross.”

Dante could smell it coming a mile away. He had a feeling his status as owner and president wasn’t the only thing being revealed to his company today, and he didn’t like it at all. Why the hell had they waited two weeks to out him like this, and what was he going to do once it was all over?

“It has been brought to our attention that you are leading a double life, one that involves very questionable personal choices. If this information got out, I can guarantee many of our clients would not be too happy, and the employees wouldn’t be happy either. We would end up under investigation for a very good reason, and the whole company would be at stake. It has been revealed to us that you are the president of a notorious motorcycle gang known as the Devil’s Pirates.”

Dante felt sweat dripping from his brow as his hands got clammy and his throat began to swell. This was the moment he had dreaded for so long, and no matter what he’d tried to do to stop it, it still led to this terrible moment. He wanted to speak up and defend himself, but the words did not come. There was nothing to say, really. It was the truth.

“The person who gave us this information would like to remain anonymous for now, however, these two gentleman are representatives of this man’s company. There is a threat against us, Mr. Cross, that we must address. I’ll let these two gentleman take it from here.”

Dante stood up, loosening his tie. He clenched his fist against the desk and resisted the urge to punch it. “What threat do you have against my company, gentleman.” He spit the last word out, hoping the saliva would hit at least one of the ridiculous looking men in the face.

The one with the blue suit stood up looking shaky and tried to hold out his hand for Dante to shake. Dante just glared at it until the man sat down. “I am Mr. Owen Sellers and this is my brother Mr. Todd Sellers.” The man pointed a shaky finger at his nerdy twin with the grey suit who just kept staring straight forward. Apparently Owen was the speaker of the two.

“My client would like to propose a deal of sorts. We understand what a compromising position this puts you in, since you built this company from the ground up. I am assuming you’d like it to keep running in its current form.” Owen’s voice was still shaking. Clearly, whoever was trying to threaten the company sent the wrong people to do the job. “Our client wishes for you to negotiate a deal for him to buy out your company. You will keep your name and all your clients. Your operations will remain the same, but he will be an equal partner and receive shares as such.”

“And why the hell would I agree to something like that?” Dante was getting more pissed by the second, and he no longer cared what his image was in that room. He felt like his hands were being tied behind his back.

“Well, if you don’t, Mr. Cross, then he will leak your secret in some way; to the media, or the rest of the company, however he sees fit.”

“Isn’t this blackmail? You understand that this is illegal?”

“I can see how you might construe it that way, however, what illegalities might others find in your personal life that could make you look even worse than our client. Besides, our client is anonymous. You have no legs to stand on.” It sounded like Owen was reading a script rather than actually making a viable threat himself. Unfortunately, Owen was also correct. Even if he had done nothing but legal, legitimate work since he took over the MC, the fact that it was a notorious gang that was known to be into illegal activities in the past, while he was still a member, would be enough to bring him down.

Owen’s phone began to ring, and he put up a finger nervously as he dared answer it in the middle of the meeting. “But sir….” Was the only thing he said before passing the phone to Dante.

“What the hell is this?” he asked Owen with hostility.

“Our client wishes to reveal himself. It seems something has changed his mind about remaining anonymous. He wishes to speak with you.” Dante stared at the phone like it was a diseased animal. On that line was the person who was trying to ruin his life, everything he had built for himself. He wasn’t sure if he could know the identity and not do something horrible.

He took the phone and put it hesitantly to his ear. “Hello?” His voice came out unfamiliar and unsure, but he could say the same for the voice on the other side of the phone.

“Hello Mr. Cross.” He recognized the voice right away though he’d heard it only a few times, but it still made his blood boil. This was the man that was ruining his life, and he was pretty sure he knew why.

Cynthia stormed into the office, ready to spill her guts to Dante and saw that he still wasn’t back from the meeting. What in the world could take so long to discuss? She set all her stuff down and turned on her laptop, getting ready for the work day. Maybe if she threw herself into work she would forget about that awful encounter with Winslow.

Everything about their encounter had made her skin crawl. He knew way too much about her job, her personal life, Dante, everything. And he could easily ruin their future together if he wanted. He was a sick and powerful man with a lot of money. That was about the worst combination in history. The only reason good thing that had come from her encounter with him was that it had inadvertently led her back into her stepbrother's life. And who could have predicted how that had turned out.

She went into her email to see that there was one there to the whole company from the CEO. The subject was "Regarding Dante Cross". She tilted her head to the side and felt a strange hum run through her body. She had a bad feeling about whatever it was she was about to read. The morning had started out bad, and there was nothing to keep the day from getting even worse.

She clicked on the email and began to read, her jaw involuntarily dropping open. The email was a memo to the top executives as well as herself, revealing Dante’s double life. It listed Devil’s Pirates MC specifically, citing him as the president of this “nefarious organization known for illegal activity”. That must have been what the meeting was about.

Cynthia had no idea where Dante was or how he must be feeling, but she knew he would need her when he got out. Her job either way was to be there for him, which didn’t necessarily mean being in that building. She doubted he was going to stay after he was ousted anyway.

She packed up her stuff and walked right back out the door, deciding to head home until she heard from her boss.

* * *

Dante burst into The Blue Pig still in his button down and slacks. It no longer mattered who saw him playing out his double life as his worst nightmare was already playing out at his own office. He had taken off shortly after the phone call from hell, literally. He was sure that if he walked into Vosh Industries he’d be on fire and that Winslow would be sporting a pair of red horns.

“Hey Diesel, I almost didn’t recognize you. What the fuck is going on, man? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.” Jaz slapped him on the back in a friendly manner, but Dante was not in the mood. He just glared at Jaz with his bloodshot eyes until he backed off.

Dante looked around for a friendly face and didn’t see a single one. Looking at the clock, he knew that Billy would be at the shop doing a shift, but where was everyone else? He started searching for Ax and Barbie. Even Bryant would have been welcome at that point. He was about to lose it. Finally, he caught the eye of Liz who was back in the corner knocking back cocktails. She paused and stood up, revealing that she had been sitting on some poor sap’s lap. Sadly, it wasn’t even the last guy he knew she was with.

He gritted his teeth as she approached, not sure whether she was a welcome friend at the moment or not. She had always annoyed him with her drunkenness and unwanted advances, but he could not be left to his own devices either.

“Hey, Diesel,” she slurred, trying to sound seductive, but coming off more whiny than anything else. It reminded him of nails against a chalkboard. He let her lead him to the bar so they could both sit. “I guess you’ve come out of hiding. Are you finally ready to admit defeat?”

Dante tensed up at the mention of the subject. He had always seen her as harmless, just following the masses for the next high, but she sounded more nefarious with her eyes narrowed at him and her fingernails scratching at the back of his neck. “If you are, I’d be happy to comfort you once someone else takes over. Maybe if you were my boyfriend, they’d even let you stay in the club.” Her fingers suddenly felt like worms crawling all over him, and her voice like a snake.

“I have no idea what you’re going on about Liz. Shit; what did you take? Whatever it is, it’s strong enough to make you hallucinate.” He stood his ground as her face transformed from something of beauty to a feral animal. She let her hands drop to her sides, and she stood up in front of him.

“Fuck off, Diesel. Your secrets out, and you know you’ve lost. I don’t know what that newbie bitch sees in you since you seem to be a total fucking prude, but I’m done trying to help you. Don’t come crying to me when you get thrown out on your pale ass.” It came out in a hiss before she turned on her heels and wobbled away, back to take up residence in another man’s lap. He had made a mistake coming to The Blue Pig. No one was there to help him, and Liz had just made him even more furious.

As if knowing he needed saving, his phone buzzed, and he picked it up to see he had a text message. It was from Cynthia, and his heart soared. She had left Vosh safely. She must know what was going on at Essential Steel.

Cynthia:
Where are you? I’m worried. Heard about the meeting.

Dante texted back instantly.

Dante:
I’m at The Blue Pig, but no one’s here. I’m glad you’re okay, especially since your ex is responsible for this shit.

Cynthia:
What!?

Dante straightened in his seat. Apparently his assumption that Winslow had told her anything was wrong. She was probably thinking it was her fault now.  Before he could respond she sent another text back.

Cynthia:
I’m at my house. Get over here. I think we need to talk.

Dante nodded to himself in agreement. Clearly, they had a lot to discuss. If Winslow hadn’t shoved what he was doing to Essential Steel in her face, then what had he said to her? His blood boiled at the thought that it might have involved some kind of emotional warfare. The guy probably got on his knees and begged for her back. And as much as he wanted to see the ass on his knees, begging, the fact that Winslow might be doing that for Dante’s girlfriend was not a pleasant one.

He practically ran out the door and headed straight for her apartment, a million things running through his head as he drove. Most thoughts centered around how his life’s work was being ruined, but for some reason he was able to remain calm knowing he was headed back to Cynthia. Something told him she would make it all better for him somehow, which was an odd thought for an alpha male like him.

He was the president of a notorious motorcycle gang, at least that’s what the headlines would read, but he was relying on a woman for comfort. What could she possibly do for him? It was a new feeling, but his gut told him not to over think it or let it go. It was probably the most important thing he would ever feel.

As he pulled into her apartment complex and parked, he stared at her door for a moment before getting out of the car. The window to the side was open, giving him a view into her kitchen where she was washing her hands. His stomach growled, and he hoped she was cooking something. He hadn’t realized until that moment that he was hungry.

Suddenly, she saw him outside and waved with a smile on her face. It seemed genuine and melted away all the tension he wasn’t aware he had been holding in his back. He waved back as he climbed out of his car and made his way up the stairs to her, wondering how he had gotten so lucky as to stumble back into the life of such an amazing and beautiful woman after the life he'd led.