than our project.
“I was just on the phone with the McConnells,” Dad growled out.
I blinked. “The McConnells? You mean the business that tried to outbid us for this project?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“Yes,” he snapped. “The McConnells and I used to have an understanding. It seems we’re going into more bidding wars with them because you don’t understand how this business works.”
“Excuse me, no. That’s not how we do things,” Paige said, speaking up for the first time. Actually, it was the first time I had ever heard Paige talk back to our father.
“Excuse me?” Dad asked.
“I don’t know what’s going on with you, Dad,” I began, but Beckett cleared his throat. I nodded, letting Beckett have this. At least, for now.
“Dad, why did you talk to the McConnells?”
“Because they bid on this project, too, and I wanted to know what they gave them. They weren’t doing all this new-fangled shit that is costing us so much money. They’re going about things the right way. We’re going to lose out on projects if we don’t follow that path. We almost missed a deadline with our permits, and we’re already behind schedule. This is not the Montgomery Builders I created with my blood, sweat, and tears.”
I froze, looking at the man. I couldn’t believe what he was saying.
“Our blood, sweat, and tears,” I whispered. “You might’ve started this with other people, but this building and everything in it came about because of your children. The adults currently looking at you.”
“Montgomery Builders hasn’t continued without good people behind it,” Beckett added.
“No, we were all part of it. Are part of it. We each have assigned roles here, and we work together,” Benjamin agreed.
“We’re all in the positions we loved finding when we were children and teens and are now doing as adults,” Archer added, and Dad just glared at him.
My dad still didn’t like Archer’s job, and I didn’t know how to fix that. But this wasn’t the time.
“And we didn’t miss a permit,” Paige said. “The county added an addendum, and that meant we had to redo the paperwork. That’s on the county, and they’re aware of it. We’re not behind.”
“I know how permits work, young lady.”
“You can call me Paige,” she said. “We’re at work.”
“And yet, none of you guys are working. You’re running this thing into the ground. We’re never going to beat Montgomery Inc. if we continue being lazy and don’t follow the path I set us on.”
“Your path got us here, but now we need to work together to keep going.” I fisted my hands at my sides. “And stop comparing us to the other Montgomerys. They’re not our competition.”
“They are always our competition, damn it. Don’t you see? They’re looking down at us. They’re acting all high and mighty because they have more money. Because they have more experience. Well, screw them. We will be bigger and better, and you’ll just have to follow my lead if we’re going to get there.”
I honest to God did not understand the words coming out of my father’s mouth. What was wrong with him?
“Dad,” Beckett began, and my brother stepped forward. “No, this isn’t going to be how it works. We are not in competition with the other Montgomerys. We did not lose a permit. We did not get behind on anything. All of that’s wrong.” I looked at my brother, frowning.
“See? You don’t even know,” Dad spat.
“No, we’re behind on certain items because you keep having us triple-check things, and we have to show you in everything we do that we are adult enough to make our own decisions. You second and triple-guess everything we do to the point where I’m not even sure why we’re doing this anymore.”
“I’m the boss here. You’re supposed to follow my direction.”
“No, Dad. I’m the project manager. You are one of the owners of Montgomery Builders, but you don’t lead. You sign the papers, and because you’re my father, I’ve let you hurt our family with your antics, but I don’t think I can do it anymore.” Beckett stood his ground.
Tears threatened again, but I raised my chin, standing at my brother’s side as we faced down our father. This was not how it was supposed to go. We were a family that worked together, played together, and loved one another.
And yet, it didn’t look like that right now.
“So, you’re just going to toss me out? After everything I did for all of you?”
“No, I’m going to be the one that does that,”