Chandler: A Standalone Contemporary Romance (15 page)

It sounds like a statement instead of a question, but I confirm anyway. “Yes. I do. She’s brilliant. She’s a grand-scheme kind of thinker. More aware of the current market than her brother, that’s for sure. Completely on top of her game.”

“Jesus,” my brother mutters, “you’re gushing.”

He’s mocking me, but that’s all the invitation I need. I hadn’t realized how much I’d been dying to talk to someone about my feelings. Next thing I know, I’m sitting in the window seat, spilling my guts. “I’m in love with her, Hudson. I think she might be the one.”

“Please,” Hudson says dismissively. “You’re not in love with her. You just met her.”

“What does that matter? Aren’t you the guy who moved his girlfriend-slash-future wife in after two weeks of knowing her?” He doesn’t show it, but I have a feeling that down deep he’s romantic. Why else would he let things happen so quickly?

But if he
is
romantic deep down, he’s not letting me be privy to it. Instead, he’s giving me brusque and snippy. “I’d known her longer than two weeks.”

“Sorry, two and a half.” Honestly, I don’t know exactly when he’d met Alayna, but it was fast. He’s definitely not one to talk.

But he does anyway. “Don’t compare your relationship with this, this…girl to my relationship with my
wife
. It’s not the same.”

Okay, despite our differences, I was ready to open up and share everything, but now I’m pissed.

“Who the hell are you to decide that?” I stand and point a finger at him. “Maybe it’s exactly the same. Maybe this is the beginning of exactly what you have with your wife. You don’t know how deeply I feel about Genny. I’m in love with her, and just maybe I’m going to marry her.”

Hudson picks up his drink and finishes the contents in one swallow. Then he slams the empty glass on the desk next to him. “You cannot marry that woman. I forbid it.”

Like hell.
“You can’t forbid shit.”

“I can tell you that if you put a ring on that finger, you and her family will be banned from coming anywhere near my family again.”

I’m speechless. My brother has always been a bit aloof, and he’s more often than not a pain in my ass, but he’s never been downright shitty. I don’t understand this, don’t have any idea where it’s coming from, and the only comeback I can manage is the most obvious one. “What is your fucking problem?”

“Her family!”

“I know that you’re not fond of Edward Fasbender, but so what?” Even if he doesn’t end up giving the man a job, it shouldn’t have anything to do with what happens between Genny and me.

“It’s not her father I have a problem with,” Hudson snaps back, his hands wrapped around the edge of the desk behind him. “It’s his wife.”

I don’t say it, but I give him the look that says, and
what’s your deal with her?

Hudson’s eyes widen with realization. “You don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?”

“That girl you’re so fond of? Her stepmother is Celia Werner.”

I
know
Hudson has beef with Celia Werner, but I’m perplexed and still trying to piece together all the reasons this affects my relationship with Genny when I hear Laynie at the door.

“Celia’s back?” she says, holding one of the babies and looking paler than I’ve ever seen her.

Hudson winces, and I know he regrets that his wife overheard this bit of news. Seems Mina isn’t the only one who needs to learn about privacy. Hudson did leave the door open. I feel less bad about forgetting the bedroom lock now.

He recovers quickly and rushes toward Alayna. “Millie?” he calls out into the hallway. “Could you take Holden for a bit, please?”

“Gladly!” Millie steps in and scoops the baby from Laynie’s arms then quickly disappears, humming as she goes.

Hudson shuts the door after her. A little late for that, isn’t it?

“Celia’s back,” Laynie repeats, drawing the attention back to the issue at hand.

Hudson puts his arms around his wife and looks her in the eye. “She’s not back, precious. I will not let her be back; do you understand?”

“But she’s that girl’s stepmother? I thought Genevieve was someone you met from work,” she directs to me. Then back to Hudson, “She got to us through Chandler?”

I frown, irritated at what my sister-in-law is inferring.

“She
hasn’t
gotten to us,” Hudson says. “And Celia is
not
back. That’s the point. She’s exactly where she’s always been, and we’ve been fine. I won’t let her get any closer to this family than she already is.”

He throws a glare in my direction at that last part. Then he walks Laynie to the couch. He holds her as they sit down together, delivering reassurance. It’s sweet. It’s the kind of relationship I want with my wife one day, and I can’t help that I see Genny in that position now more than ever.

So while I hate to interrupt this private moment, it seems
our
private moment was the one interrupted first. “Hold up, Hudson. You’re talking about Celia. That has nothing to do with Genevieve.”

“It has
everything
to do with Genevieve,” he sneers. “Anyone who has any association with Celia should be considered a threat. That’s how Celia works.”

“Wait. Back up,” Laynie says, putting a calming hand on Hudson’s thigh. “How did Genevieve meet Chandler in the first place?”

“I met her at a charity thing last week that I went to in Hudson’s place. Her father is Edward Fasbender, and your husband wanted me to do some schmoozing.”

Laynie’s eyes widen and she whips her head back toward my brother. “You sent Chandler to get close to Celia’s husband?”

“No. That’s not why I sent Chandler there. I wanted him to send a message. Prove to Celia that I still have eyes on her and her family, in case she was at the event.”

“Would have been nice if someone had told me!” Now I understand why I needed the scotch. I throw back the rest of the drink then put the empty glass on the bar.

Alayna ignores me. “Well, your plan backfired, H, because now Celia’s here. Practically in our own house!”

Much as I like to hear her scolding Hudson, I’m not at all about to stand by the allusion that my girlfriend—yes, I’m calling her that—is merely an extension of someone they think is not a good person. “You’re overreacting,” I say, trying not to overreact myself.

Hudson jumps to his feet and faces me. “Do I need to tell you the things she’s done? Not just to other people, but what she’s done to us? She blackmailed me. She’s threatened us. She tried to get me to put Alayna in a mental hospital. This is not behavior I take lightly.”

Um, damn. A lot more serious than I’d imagined.

“I’m not taking it lightly, either.” And I’m not, now that I know about it, that is. “But if it was so terrible, why didn’t you have her arrested?”

He looks back at his wife before answering. “It’s complicated. Mostly because there wasn’t enough evidence to charge her. But other reasons too.” Other reasons that I sense might not shed too favorable of a light on my brother.

I know him well enough to know he’s not going to give more explanation than that. So I don’t pursue it.

Instead, I address the more important matter. “She’s done nothing to you in years, though. Right? Because you…”
Because he took over control of Werner Media.
But now Warren is retiring and that leaves Hudson without any leverage. Which was a problem on its own, but now…if the Accelecom merger takes place, Hudson will essentially be handing the company back over to the Werners by giving it to Celia’s husband.

Hudson studies me. “You’re working it all out now, I see.”

“That’s why you aren’t interested in giving the job to Edward Fasbender.” Fuck. There goes Genny’s chances for her dream job.

Yeah, I probably should have worked out that her chances were shot before this. It’s not that I’m slow—it’s that I’m hopeful. Or, I was.

The way the picture is being presented now, my hope has pretty much evaporated.

Hudson takes advantage of my epiphany and proceeds to back it up. “There is no telling how that woman might plan to destroy us. What she could do to our business. Our income. Our family. Through her husband. I do not want that man or his wife or anyone connected to her anywhere near my family. And if I had known you were bringing
her
this weekend— ” he enunciates the word
her
, as though Genny is something awful or disgusting “—then I would have considered banning you from the premises.”

I let out a laugh because he can’t be serious. “Like hell you would. You’re the oldest, Hudson, but this isn’t even your property.”

“You’re right. I don’t own Mabel Shores. But Mom and Dad are on my side where Celia is concerned, so like hell we wouldn’t.”

It’s a loaded statement, one that proves I’ve been the only one in the dark. Just like always, Hudson is the one in the know, the one adored and respected. The one who rules the roost.

My anger increases sharply. I bolt out of my seat. “That’s not fair, you know. None of this. Genevieve had no hand in deciding whom her father married, and yet she gets to be punished for it? No. Not fair.”

“Doesn’t matter if you think it’s fair.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, and I swear I’ve never wanted to sock him as much as I want to right now. “If you continue to associate with her then consider yourself out with us.”

I feel my fists tightening at my side, but I’m too struck by his latest remark, the implications hitting me in the gut. “What exactly are you saying?”

“I’m saying that we will keep our distance from Celia in every way we can.”

“You mean distancing yourself from me. Because the girl I’m in love with is related
by marriage
to someone you dislike.” I’m seconds from going full-out Hulk on him, but I know the weapon to use with my brother is control, so I rein it in.

“If it were just the matter that Genevieve was associated with someone I dislike, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. It’s much bigger than that.”

That’s it. I’m furious. So much for control.

“Well, fuck that,” I shout. “And fuck you. If you’re making me choose—”

“I’m not making you choose—I’m forbidding you to be involved with that girl.”

What the actual fuck?

“Are you even listening to yourself? You can’t forbid me to be involved with her. I’m a grown man, and you’re not my parent, or even my boss. You’re my business partner and my brother and neither of those positions gives you any authority over my love life.”

“You are my family,” Hudson says, pointing an authoritative finger in my direction, “and as I said, I will do what I have to do to protect
every member
of my family from falling into one of her games. That includes you. And I’m telling you that you need to seriously consider the motives of this girl’s involvement with you.”

I shake my head. I’m at a loss. Hudson is treating me like I’m a teenager who’s frustrated that his car keys have been taken away for the weekend. Does he really believe that I’m not capable of looking after myself?

And his latest insinuation is the worst. “Are you suggesting that she’s only with me to get to you?” Ironically, Genny half-admitted to going home with me that first night because of who I am and what a relationship with me would gain for her father.

But then she tried to distance herself from me for exactly the same reason.

So I hear him, but I’m not buying what he’s saying. “She’s not with me because of you, Hudson. She’s with me
despite
you.”

His eyes narrow. “Are you so sure about that? Is that what she’s told you? Why
is
she with you?” He’s calm in his questions. Reasonable. “It seems awfully convenient how the two of you continually cross paths, doesn’t it? How you didn’t know who her stepmother was. How she shows up at your office. At your dinner meetings. Awfully convenient.”

In a matter of seconds, I replay our entire relationship. That night at the gala, had she been interested before I gave her my name? Then, it was her who’d shown up at the office. She’d shown up at the dinner. Are there reasons to suspect she’d been after me, despite the times she’s made me chase her? “You think she’s playing me. For Celia.”

“I’d bet on it.”

No. I won’t believe it. I had to fight for her interest. And the chemistry between us is legit—I’m sure of it.

“You’re a conceited asshole,” I tell my brother. “You know that? I try to tell you about the girl I’m in love with and you immediately make it all about you.”

“I’m not making this about anyone. I’m telling you that if you continue to spend time with that woman and her family, there will not be a place for you anywhere near us.” He turns away from me to retrieve his tumbler and carries it to the bar, leaving it right side up to indicate it’s been used. He’s done with me. Done with this conversation.

“Asshole is too good of a word for you.” I start for the door when Alayna speaks up behind me.

“You’re right, Chandler.”

I turn back to her, relieved someone’s talking sense, and though I don’t look at him, I feel Hudson’s attention is equally directed at his wife.

“It’s not fair,” she continues. “This poor innocent girl is caught up in the middle of something bigger, and placing judgment on her for something completely out of her control is a pile of shit. I’m always the first one to give a person the benefit of the doubt. We’re all slaves to our weaknesses, but we also have a great amount of strength and resilience. It’s very possible that Celia is no longer interested in harassing us. It’s also possible that Genevieve is simply a woman who sees the incredible man you are. Who wouldn’t be with you? Why wouldn’t any girl fall head over heels for you?”

Have I mentioned I’ve always liked Laynie? And not just because she’s hot. Right now I could kiss her.

“Thank you,” I tell her. “Now that’s the most sensible thing I’ve heard since I was brought in here.”

“You’re welcome, but I’m not done. See, with Celia Werner,” Laynie’s eyes are sympathetic as she looks at me, “you can’t take any chances. She’ll take advantage of anyone and everyone. She’ll play very deep, manipulative games, and her pawns rarely know they’re playing into her hands. So I’m sorry, but Hudson’s right too. It was bad enough when it was just H and me that she terrorized. Now we have the children to think about. If there’s any reason to believe that Celia has influenced Genevieve—and I’m afraid there is—then I have to do what’s best for my family.”

Of everything that’s been said in the last half an hour, these are the words with the most impact. “Laynie. You know I love those kids more than almost anyone. I’d do nothing to bring them pain, and I’m telling you, Genny is a good person.”

She smiles, and I can see that, despite her exhaustion, she’s got her head on straight. She knows what she’s saying. “And Mina adores you to the moon and back. As for Genny, she might very well be the most decent person on this earth. I feel sorry for her. If she’s involved in a Celia scheme at all, I’m sure she’s being manipulated or bullied into her actions. Which makes me sorry for you too.”

“I don’t need your pity,” I say, harsher than I mean to.

“You don’t need pity,” Hudson agrees. “You need our wisdom. Alayna and I are telling you from experience that you need to run while you can.”

I shake my head again, as though it will block out the words he’s saying. The thing is—he’s an asshole. I’m convinced of that in this moment. But on the other hand, he’s never done anything like this to me before. Laynie’s definitely never been against me like this. Until now, I’ve trusted them both with my life. Even when he’s been irritating, I’ve never had a reason to believe Hudson was against me.

I just…I don’t want it to be true.

“You’re wrong. What’s going on between Genny and me is real. She tried to push me away. I’m the one who pursued her. I’m the one…” But the doubts are creeping in like thick fog. Is this why she’s letting me help her when she wants to do everything on her own?

Hudson steps toward me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “I’ve done everything I can to protect my family from falling victim to her schemes.” His voice is low and gruff, his eyes locked on mine, and I know when he says
family
right now he means
me
too. “Don’t make the same mistakes I have. Please.”

It’s the closest I’ve felt to Hudson in a long time—here in this moment as the life I’d envisioned for myself falls apart. Why does Genny really have Pierce Industries financial reports in her suitcase? Who is she planning to share them with? And why was she was messing with my phone that night at her hotel? Was she looking for something? Did she find it?

And what pictures would
I
find if I looked on
her
phone? Is it really possible that she’s only here because she’s acting as a spy for Celia?

“You’re wrong,” I say again, shrugging out of Hudson’s grip.

Only problem is, I’m not a hundred percent sure I believe that.