“Joshua.”
Again, another replay. Unlike then, the animosity that had seethed under Griffin’s skin like a fire had simmered. Not banked, but cooled so his gaze wasn’t clouded by a crimson veil. Maybe because his indentured service was half over. Maybe because his promise to Sarah was that much closer to being finalized.
Maybe because if not for his father’s interference, he wouldn’t have seen Hayden—been with her—again. In blackmailing him, Joshua had given Griffin the best gift.
“You left Friday’s dinner party and missed Saturday and Sunday’s events all together. And you didn’t answer your phone. I hope you have an explanation for not holding up your end of our agreement.”
Griffin arched an eyebrow. “I texted you and let you know I wouldn’t make it both days.”
“‘Something came up’ is not a satisfactory reason.”
“It was the best one I had,” Griffin said. “I also apologized for not making them.”
“Not good enough, Griffin.” Joshua templed his fingers underneath his chin. “They were important and your presence was required.”
Struggling to rein in his temper, Griffin didn’t immediately reply, but paused several seconds. “I’ve attended every party, dinner, opening, and exhibit on your list. Sometimes twice a day. I’ve held up my end of the bargain exceedingly well, Joshua. I’m certain I didn’t sabotage your family image because I missed a gallery opening and a tea.”
“That wasn’t our agreement. In exchange for the deed to the property, you agreed to comply with my expectations and instructions, which included appearing at every event set in the itinerary. You failed to do so.”
The combination of Joshua’s calm tone and ominous statement knotted Griffin’s gut. He knew his father, was familiar with his tactics. And Griffin’s instinct screamed Joshua was circling, readying himself for the kill.
“Did you call me in here just so you could scold me, Joshua?” Griffin cocked his head to the side. “I can tell you’re going somewhere with this, so why don’t you just get to it?”
At the flicker of satisfaction in his father’s eyes, that unease exploded into full-blown dread.
“By not fulfilling your obligations, you broke the contractual agreement,” Joshua said evenly…smugly. “Therefore it is null and void.”
Null and void. Null and void. The three words seemed to echo in the office over and over until they deafened Griffin, pounding against the inside of his skull. His heart slowed, thudded dully in his chest as rage boiled in his gut like a cauldron seconds from spilling over. Heat flushed his skin, and he curled his fingers around the arms of the chair in an effort not to lunge out of it. If he left the seat, he wouldn’t be responsible for his actions.
“You’re. Fucking. Kidding. Me,” he stated, voice quiet but no less hard. No less bitter.
Joshua’s eyes narrowed, but the warning for Griffin to watch his tongue didn’t come. He leaned forward, his black gaze gleaming with triumph.Good for you, you son-of-a-bitch. You got one over on your own son. Fucking daddy of the year.
“A contract is a contract. You didn’t follow the terms, so I’m not obligated to either. That was your choice, not mine. I don’t know how you do business, but I’m not nearly as lax,” he sneered.
“What do you want, Joshua?” Griffin snapped. “Because I know you, and you want something other than to rub my nose in your superior business sense. What pound of flesh must I give this time?”
“You stay in Houston.”
“I intended to do that anyway.”
“Indefinitely.”
A silence thick with shock and anger rippled between them.The fuck?
“What the hell are you talking about?” Griffin demanded. “You want me to remain here until a time you deem is satisfactory?” He barked out a harsh crack of laughter. “Is the governor’s seat that important you would hold your son hostage?”
“Yes,” Joshua bit out. “It’s important. It’s legacy, heritage, loyalty and duty. Something you have still managed to learn nothing of. Goddamn it, Griffin. You are a Sutherland. As much as you have tried to forget that in the armpit of Florida where you’ve holed up for the past five years. I’ve given you enough time and a long leash. It’s time for you stop playing business man and come back to your family and be one. A real one. Take your place where you belong.”
“Is that what this is all about?” Griffin whispered, the truth dawning on him with the power of an anvil to the chest. Ice spread through him, its frigid fingers creeping across his chest and up into his throat, freezing his lungs and breath. “Forcing me home?” At his father’s silence, Griffin shook his head, another hoarse chuckle escaping the deep freeze his body had tumbled into. “Do you hate me that much?”
Joshua slashed a hand through the air, a scowl darkening his face. “Don’t be ridiculous. This is about family.”
“What family? We weren’t a family long before I left. Your idea of love is control until the point we bend, break or run away. You demand loyalty, but you’ve never offered it to us unless we conform to your idea of right or wrong, acceptable or contemptible. You can’t even give your wife fidelity, but you command we sacrifice it to you unconditionally. Your idea of teaching me how to focus on my career and make it my priority wasfucking my girlfriend.”
“Are you kidding me, Griffin? That was years—” his father growled.
“Ago. Yeah, it was. And I don’t give a damn about her. The lesson I learned that day was I had to leave or become the kind of man who would give his son life lessons by fucking him over.Youpushed me away, Joshua.Youran me away. But even then, instead of being proud that I created a successful, thriving company out of nothing, you can only think about ripping it away from me. About destroying it because you don’t deem it worthy.”
