Family_Ties_by_Lisa_Gray

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

On the other side of town, in a respectable but not high-end business district, Evan Dwyer parked his faithful Chevy outside the office he’d rented. Looking up at the small storefront, he grinned with pride. Going out on his own so soon after finishing his internship had been a gamble. But better to take a risk than be stuck letting an employer take credit for his unique designs. And this gamble looked ready to pay off. The new community center he’d designed would soon be a reality. A godsend desperately needed both by him and by the city.

Turning back to the car, he loaded himself down with a briefcase, blueprints, and two huge potted plants, which he hauled out of the back seat. Struggling to the door, he snagged the handle with an elbow only to wedge himself inside the opening. “Lacey!” he yelled as he squirmed in the doorway. “Are you here? I need help!”

“Coming,” a voice called from down the hall of the small office. A tiny red-haired whirlwind blew around him, relieving him of blueprints, briefcase, and the enormous potted fern and put it all on the reception desk. He set the other pot, a pink azalea heavy with blooms, on the floor and dusted off his suit.

His assistant stared at the pots and then at him. “You spent money on plants? I could have hijacked some from my mom’s house.”

“They’re rentals. I wanted something to help Denton get in the mood for the expanded garden atrium I’m suggesting. After today, they go back to the florist.” Evan looked around and smiled. “Wow, it looks great.”

Obviously pleased at her boss’s reaction, Lacey grinned. “Well, the scratch-and-dent department had some really nice deals. Wait till you see the conference room.”

“Let’s go have a look.” Evan picked up the plants again.

Lacey gathered the rest of his things and led the way down the hall to the tiny conference room. Waiting in the doorway while Evan arranged the plants, she nodded her approval. “I admit it, those do add a nice touch in here.” She pointed to the small credenza and said, “I’ve got fresh coffee brewed and decadent dark chocolate truffle cookies set out. All we need now is Mr. Denton.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “Not that I mind showing off my organizational and culinary skills, but why don’t we just messenger the contracts for his signature?”

“He wants to go over the revisions I made last night. And he’d like to see the office and meet my staff.” Evan gazed at his assistant, secretary, errand runner, one-woman cheerleading squad, and long-time best friend. Without her, he never would have been able to get this far. And, he’d almost turned her away.

Always a loner, Evan instinctively backed away from deep attachments. But Lacey hadn’t taken no for an answer. She’d simply bulldozed over his reluctance and made herself an essential part of his life. Thank God she hadn’t given up on him.

Drawing herself up to her five foot tall height, she bowed formally. “One staff, at your service, Sir.” She glanced down the hallway towards the front of the office. “Hey, there’s a limo pulling up. Is that Mr. Denton?”

“In a limo? I doubt it.”

“Well, you finish setting up in here while your crackerjack staff answers the door.”

Evan heard her laughter float down the hall as he spread out the blueprints. A few minutes later she returned, oddly somber and trailed by two men. The taller one was dressed in an exquisitely styled business suit and wore a pleasantly neutral expression. The other, a coarse, burly man no couture would flatter, looked smug. And neither of them was Jack Denton.

Puzzled and wary, Evan stood. “Gentlemen, how can I help you?”

The taller of the two men spoke. “Mr. Dwyer, my name is Carl Reynolds. I am the Carmody family attorney.” The man held out a business card.

Evan struggled to keep his shock from showing on his face. He pretended to read the card as his mind raced. The Carmodys’ lawyer? This had to be about the community center. And a personal visit from the representative of the most powerful family in the city couldn’t be good news.

Carl Reynolds gestured to the other man and said, “And this is Arthur Jenks. He represents the Dwyer family.”

With an arrogant smirk, Jenks extended his hand.

A shimmering bolt of rage shot through Evan, shaking him to his core. He’d thought he was past all the anger his so-called family evoked. God knows, he’d had enough practice burying his feelings after all the years of derision, scorn, and bullying. He should be immune.

But now in an instant, like flicking a switch, it was all back, blazing bright. Evan’s eyes glittered with malice as he stared at the Dwyers’ lawyer.

The smirk disappeared as Jenks jerked back his extended hand.

Introductions over with, Carl Reynolds resumed speaking. “We have a business proposition for you.”

Evan felt the blood in his veins throbbing. A business proposition? Involving the Dwyers? When hell froze over.

Struggling to wrangle his voice into a professional tone, he managed, “I’m sorry, gentleman, but I’m not interested in hearing your proposition. And I have a client due here shortly. You need to leave.” Evan gestured to the door.

The two men glanced at each other, and Mr. Reynolds smiled at Evan. “I’m afraid we must insist. Once you hear the nature of our errand, you’ll understand that our business takes priority. And I promise, we will be brief.”

Short of calling the police to evict these two—as if the police would take action against the attorneys for the two most powerful families in the city—Evan was at a loss as to how to rid himself of his unwelcome guests. He decided his best, and likely only option was to just let them have their say. He could then refuse their proposition and send them on their way.

A flush crept up Evan’s face, but he managed to hold his tongue. Motioning towards the quite acceptable chairs Lacey had salvaged, he said, “Then perhaps you should sit down and explain. Briefly.”

He turned to his assistant. “Lacey, would you keep watch for…” Evan stopped himself from saying Jack Denton’s name. Better not to reveal any information to these two. He quietly finished his sentence, “…our client and let me know as soon as he arrives?” Although short of hiding Denton in the supply closet while he ousted these two, he didn’t know how they were to avoid seeing each other.

Lacey nodded, and with a worried glance at Evan, left silently, closing the door behind her.

The two attorneys took their seats at the small conference table. Reynolds pulled out a sheaf of papers from his briefcase. “Mr. Dwyer, the Carmodys and the Dwyers have decided to merge their interests and cement a union between the two families. And they feel the strongest method of doing so is through marriage.”

Jenks, the Dwyers’ lawyer, leaned forward and leered, “A more intimate connection, if you will.”

Reynold’s lips thinned at the comment, but he simply ignored Jenks and continued speaking to Evan. “Danny Carmody will be the groom and the Dwyers have offered you as the bri…er, the other groom. We’re here to present the prenuptial agreement.”

Evan’s brain seemed to stall. Having expected some monumental legal threat from these two sharks, the absurdity of the truth was overwhelming. He sat frozen for a few moments until a burst of laughter escaped him, releasing him from immobility. Shaking his head, he said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Reynolds, but you can’t really believe for a moment that I’ll agree to this, can you? It’s ridiculous. Thanks for the offer, but I’m not going to marry anybody.” Evan relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief. Now he just needed to get these clowns out of the way before Denton showed up.

Reynolds opened his mouth to reply, but Jenks broke in first.

“Now, Evan, you need to drop that attitude and think about what this generous offer means. Your mother caused grievous harm to the family. But the Dwyers are willing to forgive and forget your role in it. They are giving you the opportunity to make up for what your mother did.”

At the first words out of Jenks’s mouth, Evan’s amusement had evaporated in the heat of outrage. He straightened and raised his chin. “What my mother did was to leave her home and her country to come here—at the invitation of the man who claimed to love her but then abandoned her. She was the injured party—not the Dwyers. And as for reconciling with that pack of rabid dogs, thanks for the offer, but no. I’m not interested. Now you gentlemen have delivered your message and received my answer. It’s time for you to go. As I said, I have a client arriving here momentarily.” Evan stood and folded his arms across his chest.

The two lawyers made no move to leave, however. Reynolds shrugged and smiled. “Sit down, Mr. Dwyer. I’m afraid your meeting with Mr. Denton has been postponed—indefinitely.”

A chill slid down Evan’s spine. “How do you know about Jack Denton? What the hell have you done?”

“Relax, Mr. Dwyer. Your agreement with Mr. Denton regarding designing the new community center is merely on hold—subject to the results of our business. The families believe your attention should be elsewhere. A formal wedding takes time to plan.”

“What, you threatened Jack Denton?” Evan was livid.

Reynolds chuckled. “Of course not. Don’t be dramatic—this is just business. The funding for the project has merely been delayed. And will remain delayed until Nessa Carmody is satisfied that it should proceed.” The lawyer leaned back in his chair, a sympathetic look on his face. “Mr. Dwyer, I don’t think you yet grasp the advantages this union will bring you. In business matters, the Carmodys’ influence can be an enormous help to their friends—or an insurmountable obstacle to their enemies. Once the marriage is performed, you will be given a generous allowance to assist you with your expenses. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you the monthly bill for your mother’s nursing home care is coming due quite soon. As is the rent for this…office.” Reynolds cast an appraising eye around the conference room and smiled at Evan.

Evan glared at Reynolds at this second mention of his mother but remained silent. If he opened his lips, there was no way he was going to be professional. The anger blazing in him would force its way out uncontrolled. So he stood silently, feeling the red flush on his face deepening to crimson. Bastards.

“Now, I can see that you’re upset, and I believe it would be in everyone’s best interest if we let you mull things over before you make any rash decisions.” Reynolds stood and pushed a thick contract towards Evan’s side of the table. “This is the prenuptial agreement. Please feel free to have your attorney review it, but I’m afraid the terms are not subject to negotiation. Take the weekend to review the agreement and discuss it with your legal counsel. But be at the Carmody mansion Monday morning at ten o’clock. Oh, and please be on time—Mrs. Carmody detests tardiness.” With that, the two men nodded and filed out of the office.