With a murderous expression on his face, Jayden burst the door open. He wasn’t surprised to see Kyle and Britney there with Sarah. They were sipping champagne—a toast, no doubt—to congratulate themselves at pulling off such a splendid show.
The three people looked at him in shocked surprise. Jay didn’t give a shit that he was interrupting their little party as he stalked to Kyle, his chest heaving and his hands fisted tightly.
“Shit!” Britney muttered under her breath.
“Jay!” Sarah said, rushing toward him. “I thought—”
She didn’t finish. He shoved her aside and flung his fist forward, smashing Kyle’s handsome face, hitting him against the wall.
Sarah and Britney stared at the scene before them in shocked silence. Neither of them dared to move as they watched Jay knock Kyle’s face again.
Kyle groaned and touched his bleeding nose and lips. “Shit, man!”
Jayden turned to face the two women, his eyes dark with disgust. “Stay out of my life. If any of you interfere again, I swear I’ll make your life a living hell.” He turned to Kyle, rage contorting his face. “We’ve never been friends, Kyle. Like I warned you before, I can do more damage than bashing your face.” Then he marched to the door. Just as he was about to leave, he said to Sarah, “It really is over, Sarah, you and me. I don’t care why you left me, and I’m glad you did. You and Kyle deserve each other.” Then he slammed the door shut.
In the elevator, he rested his head against the wall, his heart heavy.
“Alex,” he murmured under his breath. “I’m sorry.”
She’d be home, he was sure, and soon he’d be there to apologize and explain everything. His cell rang. He frowned, wondering who would be calling him at this time.
“Jayden speaking.”
“Boss, it’s me.”
“David? What’s up?”
The elevator door dinged open, and he stepped out into the lobby.
“You have to come and see. It’s about Mr. Marcelo’s Island. Jeff is here with me. We’ve got all the information we needed.”
Jay noted the excitement in David’s voice. “Yes. We talked about that. Not buying.” He headed into the hall where the celebration of his sister’s wedding was still in full swing.
“Oh, you’ll change your mind when you see this.”
Jayden paused, his attention caught. “What is it?”
“Oil! They don’t know they have oil under all that rocky, barren soil.”
“Shit!” Jayden swore.
“Yeah, shit all right, boss.” Jay heard a chuckle. “You coming?”
“Yeah. Coming.” Jay terminated the call and headed to his parents.
“Where’s Alex?” Gracie asked, noting the uncomfortable look on his face that he had difficulty hiding.
Jay didn’t know what to tell his mother. “She—she’s left.”
“So early? Is she unwell?”
“No,” he muttered, his face dark. “I mean, yes. Look, I have to go to the office. It’s an emergency. I’ll see you back at home. Tell Alex I’ll be home soon, okay?”
“All right,” Gracie said uncertainly. She watched him as he rushed to the door, a troubled expression on his face.
Jayden sped his BMW across town to the office on the other side of New York City. He expertly did a parallel park in the off-street parking lot, got out, locked the door, and raced to the modern building with the sign McCartney’s Realty Co. As he headed toward the entrance, the security guard saw him and quickly pushed on the open-door button.
Jayden rushed in as the guard greeted him warmly. “Evening, Mr. McCartney.”
Jay nodded and waved his hand as he headed to the elevator.
In the office, he met Jeff and David, who excitedly led him to the desk with pieces of paper scattered everywhere.
Three hours later, Jeff asked, “Well?”
“We’re buying it,” Jayden said.
“He’s going to think we’re stupid,” David commented.
“Let him think that. It’s what he wants,” Jay said.
“Yeah. Definitely,” Jeff agreed.
Jayden flipped his cell and dialed Mr. Marcelo’s number. The phone rang a couple of times.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Marcelo. It’s me, Jayden.”
“Ah, Jayden. I do apologize I couldn’t make it to your sister’s wedding today. There was some problem here. I did inform your father. So how is it?”
“Never better,” Jayden said, and he couldn’t care less what the hell his problem was that prevented him from going to the wedding. “I know it’s late, but it has to be done now.”
“Yes?”
Jay paused for a moment, touching the property’s portfolio. “Straight to the point, I’ve decided to buy the island. How about we meet up tomorrow and seal the deal?” He heard the older man laugh—loud and clear, like he had just taken over the world.
“Good man. Make the meeting at ten?”
“Yes. See you then,” Jayden said and ended the call. He turned to Jeff and David. “Good job, men.”
“Thanks, boss,” Jeff said, grinning from ear to ear.
“Well, good night and see you tomorrow.”
“But what about the contract? We need to write that up before tomorrow,” Jeff pointed out.
“Shit! Yes.” Jayden raked his fingers through his hair. He wanted to go and see Alex, but he knew he had to finish writing up the contract before the meeting tomorrow. “All right. Let’s begin.”
The three men had their jackets off and their shirtsleeves rolled up to their elbows as they brainstormed what to put in the contract. Late into the night, they all fell asleep, David on the sofa with notes on his chest, Jeff on the seat with his head resting beside the laptop, and Jayden in the armchair near the window that overlooked the city of New York.
* * * * *