Abandoned but Not Alone (36 page)

Steve
audibly cleared his throat before he began to speak.
“
I've got problems with the building commission. It seems one of
my sub-contractors used substandard materials on the Ojai project. I
’
m dealing with it; I thought I
’
d managed to keep the whole situation
under wraps. Somehow Cox found out, he
’
s threatening to make a statement to verify that we knew about
everything and were willing to cut corners to make a profit. It gets worse; he
’
s also threatening to swear corner
cutting is almost the company
’
s motto,
and that
’
s how our company has
managed to grow into a major player so quickly.
”

Jason didn
’
t bother to ask Steve if there was any
truth in the allegations. He was well aware of his and Steve
’
s hard work over the years. Neither of
them would have allowed the use of substandard material in one of their
building projects. He was also aware that while there may be no truth in the
accusations, speculation alone could have far reaching implication to the
credibility of their business.
“
That greasy
smug bastard
–
I want to
know who
’
s pulling his leash
–
and I want to know now!
”

“
I
’
m already on it; so far, I
’
ve drawn a blank.
”

“
When were you going to tell me about
this; for God sake, if things hadn
’
t changed
you would be on your honeymoon right now?
”

“
I already told you
–
I
’
m taking care of it.  This right here is what I can
’
t stand about you man, you can
’
t control everything.  Leave me the hell
alone to do my God-damn job!
”

“
This is my company as much as it is
yours; therefore I have a right to know what
’
s going on, especially if it affects me. I trust you to take
care of our day to day business, but not to keep far reaching matters from me
when you feel like it. We're partners and I have to be able to trust you to
keep me in the loop, especially about something so serious.
”

“
Fuck you, you egotistical shit!
”

“
You can call me as many names as you like
Steve, but it still doesn
’
t tell me
who
’
s behind this mess and
I want answers. We
’
ve worked
too long and too hard for some jumped up shit like Percy Cox to pull the rug
from under us.
”

“
You think I don
’
t know that?  Just back off Jason
–
I
’
ve got
this.
”
Looking at his watch
Steve straitened his tie and reached for his briefcase.
“
Look man, I
’
ve got to go. I need to get a handle on what Coxs' next move is
going to be, and if I know that slimy turd
–
he already has a jump start on me.
”

Jason made
no comment as he watched Steve leave for the office. It also didn
’
t escape his attention that while he has
spoken about them in terms of their partnership, a team, Steve had spoken about
himself
–
in the singular.

~~~~~~~~~~

Jason had
yet to return by the time Aviva got out of bed. Taking a shower she dressed in
comfortable blue jeans, white tailored button down shirt and comfortable open
toed sandals. 

Knocking on
Jason
’
s office door Aviva
waited until she heard a mumbled,
'come in'
before entering.  Jason sat
behind his office desk, feet propped up, and hands behind his head. Aviva
noticed two things as she entered the room: one Jason was wearing a pensive
look and the other the room reeked of man sweat. Scrunching up her nose she
decided to deal with what was troubling Jason first
–
the bathing suggestion could wait for a few moments.
“
Did I just see Steve leaving?
”
At Jason
’
s nod, Aviva waited for Jason to pass further comment, when none
was forthcoming she pushed a little further.
“
Is everything okay Jason? To be honest you look as though
something is troubling you and the way Steve just slammed the front door, I was
surprised it didn't come off its hinges.
”

Seeing her
apparent concern, Jason considered whether to tell her about his and Steve's
conversation. Deciding there was nothing she could actually do that would help
with their business situation, he decided to hold back from telling her what
was going on. 

“
Everything
’
s fine, just business stuff, Steve and I will work it out.
”

“
Are you sure that
’
s it. If you
’
re thinking
about Jackson and your brothers, I already spoke to them. They agree that you
all need time to come to terms with recent events. I just had breakfast with
them in the dining room. They're waiting to say goodbye to you. Jason, will you
do me a favor?
”

“
Anything Angel, what do you need?
”

“
I need for you to try to meet them
half-way. I know this is hard for you
–
but they really want you to be a part of them. Please try to
give them a chance to prove that to you. They're as much victims as you are
…
and Jason, even if you don
’
t think you need them right now, now that
they know about you, they need you.
”

Taking a
deep breath Jason momentarily held in his inhalation, allowing her words to
wash over him. His decision was made, solidified as he had lain beside her in
bed earlier that morning as the sun topped the horizon with the beginning of
another day. Ready to admit to himself that, as they wanted and needed him now
that they were aware of his existence, so the longing in him was growing for
them to be a permanent part of his life.

“
I
’
ll go speak to them in a moment. Don
’
t worry; I told you already, I just need some time to adjust. It
’
s going to work out.
”
Thinking the conversation was way too
serious for so early in the morning Jason decided to go for a laugh to lighten
the mood.
“
Well it
will work out if number two stops all the staring crap
–
that dude is creeping me out. It
’
s bad enough I have to see my own face looking back at me
whenever he
’
s around,
let alone all the brooding contemplation.
”
Closing his eyes for a brief moment Jason shuddered in mock
horror.

“
Get over yourself will you. For all you
know you might be Jacob number two
–
did that
ever occur to you.
”

“
Bite your tongue woman
–
he is definitely a clone of me, not the
other way around.
”

Aviva shook
her head as she laughed at his antics. Jason noticed for the first time that
she was dressed and ready to go out. Recalling that today was her first day on
the job gave Jason pause. It was also the first day she would be locked in a
studio with Carlos. Knowing not to bring it up, Jason left his seat and
strolled towards Aviva ready to give her a reminder of who she belonged to.
Completely convinced of his prowess he was confident that once he was finished
reminding her of what he had to offer, Carlos the man would be the last thing
on her mind.

“
You ready to leave for the studio?
”

“
Yep, I
’
m just about good to go. Are you sure you
’
re alright.  You look sort of funny,
pensive
–
is anything else on
your mind?
”

“
I told you, just business stuff. Steve
and I will work it out. All you need to worry about today is making Pretty Boy
sound good.
”

Rolling her
eyes Aviva counted to ten before answering Jason
’
s snide comment.
“
Don
’
t start with me Jason. Carlos happens to
be a very talented artist. Yes he
’
s good
looking but that doesn
’
t mean he
’
s not good at what he does.
”

“
So how are you going to handle being
locked away in a studio all day with Pretty Boy?
”

Giving
Jason a stern look Aviva used a tone of voice that would leave him in no doubt
to her resentment of his implication that she was unable to spend a day with a
handsome man without something untoward taking place. What did the man think;
because she had fallen into his arms almost as soon as she had met him, she was
some kind of sex maniac. Aviva suddenly saw Jason
’
s vulnerability reflected in his dark eyes. Her job was
important to her, well aware that many people wished they were in the same
position as she, working at a job they loved, and had an aptitude for. 
Unwilling to have anything or anyone, intentionally or unintentionally taint
her accomplishment Aviva answered in the only way she knew how
–
with honesty.
“
I
’
m going to
handle being locked away with Carlos the same way I would handle any business
situation; as a professional.
”

Duly
chastised, Jason advanced towards Aviva concerned he may have offended her with
his off the cuff comment, which had not been his intention.
“
I
’
m sorry; I know you
’
re a
professional
…”

“
Whatever Jason, all I
’
m telling you is
–
don
’
t come
anywhere near me right now.
”

Taken aback
by her aversion to his approach, Jason halted his advance, momentarily stunned
into immobility.

“
Baby, you stink.  If you think I
’
m starting my new job covered in man funk
–
you
’
ve got another think coming.  Oh and by
the way, I
’
m sure you
won
’
t mind if I use the
Bentley.
”
Without waiting for a
reply Aviva blew Jason a kiss on her way out the door.

Coming out
of his stupor Jason followed her but only saw the front door closing in her
wake.  Wresting his attention back, he pulled into focus the men standing in
the foyer. Feeling awkward and not liking it, Jason approached them silently,
his steps tentative.

Jackson was
the first to speak.
“
We
’
re leaving now.  I know this has been
difficult for you. Honestly, it
’
s been hard
for all of us. We spoke with Aviva at breakfast and we want you to know we will
abide by whatever dictates you lay down
–
for now. But Jason, let me make myself absolutely clear; you
are my son
…”
Jackson
swept his hand to indicate the two men standing silently beside him,
“…
and these are your brothers none of us
intend to forget that. You need time, we
’
ll give you time; but if you don
’
t come to us
–
we
’
ll come to you. I know you think you
’
re a bad ass and maybe you are, but then
so are we, but three against one, you lose. Remember that.
”

Jason was
stunned that Jackson, in the same breath was giving him what he wanted, time
and an ultimatum. His next words were a testament to the validity of Jason
’
s premise,
“
I
’
ll give you
time, but only so long. Then you will comply with what I want. You
will
come to us or we will come for you.
”
Jason
snorted in his mind knowing on an intuitive level that he shouldn
’
t let the sound leave his mouth within
Jackson's hearing. The man had to be out of his mind, didn
’
t he know by now that he didn
’
t take ultimatums from anyone, least of
all from a man who thought he could be controlled with threats.