head with Tennessee and that I’m only thinking of one thing? That I haven’t been working tirelessly on securing a place for my staff and my clients?”
“You didn’t tell me,” he mutters.
Leaning forward, I growl. “Your mother cannot know. I cannot chance that. The only person that knows is Tennessee and only because she was there when I negotiated with your mother and she freaked the fuck out. I had to calm her down and tell her my plan. The clients are mine, the staff is mine.
“Technically, I only agreed to give your mother this building and the company name. I never agreed to anything else, she just assumes that she’s getting everything. She didn’t have her attorney draw any actual documents up, she just signed the paperwork. I seriously cannot believe that you thought I was that stupid.”
Laurent presses his lips together, shaking his head a couple of times. “Dad,” he mutters. “I underestimated your savagery.”
“You shouldn’t. I practically invented the word,” I say with a snort.
“What happens now?”
“You need to keep your fucking trap shut, that’s what happens now. The rest I have under control.”
“Let me help,” he practically begs.
I think about telling him no, but then decide that he’s thirty years old, he’s no longer a child and that he’s been working here since graduating college and he needs more responsibility. So, I give it to him. I also warn him that if he fucks up, he’s going to have to pay for that shit. He swears he won’t, then leaves the office.
Only then do I make my way over to my desk and call Tennessee’s cell. She answers, sounding groggy and sleepy. I tell her that I’ve taken Holden to childcare and given her the day off, then inform her that Bethie will be by soon to spend the day with her.
“Tennessee?” I say when she doesn’t respond right away.
“Yeah?”
“I love you, honey.”
She’s quiet for another moment. Then she finally speaks, and my heart, it squeezes in a way that I have never felt before. “I love you too, Landry. So much.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
TENNESSEE
Landry ends the call, and almost immediately I hear the doorbell ring. Rolling out of bed, this is a moment where I should have taken him up on his offer for a full-time maid. Oh no, I had to tell him that it was ridiculous when I’m more than capable of cleaning for just the three of us.
Now that my head feels like it’s been run over by a truck. Looking out the peephole, I’m surprised to see Bethie on the other side. I’m not surprised she’s here, I’m just surprised that she’s here so quickly.
Wrapping my hand around the knob, I tug the door open and try my hardest to give her a smile. She sees right through my attempt at a brave face. She opens her arms and wraps them around me, pulling me close to her.
“I don’t know what’s wrong, but it’s all going to be okay,” she reassures me.
Clearing my throat, I stand to the side and motion for her to come in. Closing the door behind her, I guide us over to the kitchen card table. Lydia said that a sofa wouldn’t be here for a few more weeks. Right now, I wish it was here already.
“Talk to me, Tenny. What is going on? Landry said that you needed a friend, he sent me over here, but I am so confused.”
Clearing my throat, I shake my head once as I close my eyes. When I reopen them, I tell her everything. Only my mother and therapist knew before this week, now Landry and Bethie will know. I’m not sure if mentally I can keep telling people.
“What a fucking dick,” she snaps. “Seriously. I’m going to court with you and I’m bringing a knife so that I can cut his pencil dick off,” she growls.
My lips curve up and I can’t stop myself from giggling. Reaching across the table, I take her hand in mine.
“You can’t take metal objects into the courthouse, but thank you,” I say between my giggles.
“So, what happens now?” she asks, her tone turning more serious.
I shrug a shoulder. “I’m not sure. I’m not even supposed to know all of this yet. Landry is having a family meeting tomorrow about it. I feel terrible. All of this is my fault, and he has to have a freaking family meeting about it. I am his little young thing who can’t keep her shit from leaking into his