Page 106 of Heated Takeover

“Why is everybody crying?”

I laugh through my tears.

“Because sometimes people cry when they’re really happy.”

“That’s weird,” he says.

Marcus laughs and pulls him back against his chest.

“Yeah, buddy,” he says. “It really is.”

Chapter 40

Marcus

Three months later…

“I gotta admit,” Tuck says while sitting on my desk as I pack my things into a box. “Watching you obey the command perimeter nearly killed me. Personal growth looks good on you.”

“Fuck off.”

The day was wild enough without me joining the entry. Reese and Garrett were not armed, thank God, but watching them turn on each other while law enforcement closed in was its own kind of riot. From what I have seen, those two have always been like a villain and her incompetent assistant. It was only a matter of time before their ill-planned antics turned them against each other.

He grins. Three months have passed since Jamie came home. In that time, a DNA test and court filing have formally established that I am his father. Natalie and I have a written parenting plan, Jamie has a child therapist he likes, and we have spent more nights talking than sleeping. Some conversations hurt. None of them end in another lie.

We are still together because we chose to rebuild, not because a rescue erased what happened. Trust is returning in small, ordinary pieces: school pickup, shared calendars, honest answers, and Natalie handing me a key to the home she once told me never to enter.

“So what are the charges they are facing?” Tuck asks.

They were both taken into custody separately and are awaiting trial. Thanks to the evidence, a very visible paper trail, a string of witnesses including half the staff at Ashford and Blythe.

“Well,” I say, taking a deep breath and rubbing the back of my neck. “Rick says the major counts are kidnapping, grand theft, financial fraud, extortion, false imprisonment, and conspiracy. And that’s before the prosecutors finish sorting through the rest.”

“Damn. And how much time are they looking at?”

Rick walks in and answers for me. “They’re exposed to life on the kidnapping charge alone. Everything else depends on the final charges, the plea or verdict, and the court,” he says with a smile before looking around the room. “Good morning, gentlemen. Going somewhere?”

“Moving to the office down the hall,” I answer as I pick up a box of books and set it by the door.

“But isn’t this the CEO's office?” he asks.

“It is,” I answer as I dust off my hands. “Meaning the CEO of Mission Events should be in it.”

Rick gives me a questioning look.

“I am not the rightful CEO of the company. That would be Jim Blythe. And we are going to have a meeting about the logistics of that,” I explain.

“Really,” Rick nods respectfully. “And does he know?”

“He will when he gets here in about five minutes. I will let him know my plans for the companies going forward, along with asking permission to take his daughter’s hand in marriage,” I state.

“Wow,” he nods. “Busy day.”

Tuck chuckles at that.

“Godspeed,” he says, and I nod to both of them before heading down to the lobby to meet Jim. He’s waiting in the coffee shop when I get there, and I join him at the table.

“I got here early,” he says. “I hope you don’t mind. I needed a pick me up. I’m still feeling a bit jet-lagged from the recent events.”