The Perfect Stroke (Lucas Brothers #1)(67)

I kiss her gently on her forehead with a laugh. “Always busting my ass. See you soon.”

“See you soon.”

I stand beside Jansen as CC and Mom head out. The door has been closed for ten minutes before I finally shake off the feeling of contentment that thrums through my veins and I only do it then because Jansen demands my attention.

“Let’s get a move on, son.”

I nod agreement, but I’d rather follow my woman to that garage and spend the day with her.





I stare at the phone as the last amount of hope I had fades. Mack’s bank wouldn’t help at all. I kind of expected it, but I was still… dreaming. I was dreaming. There’s going to be no magic way out of this and there’s not one to blame but me. Would Banger be as disappointed in me as I am in myself?

“What the hell are you doing here?” I hear growling outside my office. At first I’m afraid Ida Sue has done something, but that’s Jackson yelling. With a deep breath, I go outside, wondering what my next catastrophe is. “I asked what the f*ck you were doing here?”

“Do you have a problem with this man, Claudia dear?” Ida Sue asks. I don’t turn to look at her, though. I’m busy staring into the eyes of David Riverton. He’s here, at my garage. He’s with three other men, all dressed in suits, though the other three don’t look nearly as expensive.

“What are you doing here, Mr. Riverton?” I ask, doing my best to keep my voice civil, but not entirely successful.

“I’ve brought by the company engineers.”

“And why the f*ck would you do that?” Jackson growls.

“Because they want to get some early measurements in.”

“Why would they need measurements?” I ask, fear curling tight in my stomach.

“Oh. I forgot to tell you the plans I have for this place, didn’t I?”

“You can take your plans and stick them up your ass where the sun doesn’t shine. That’s what you can do with your plans. Claude isn’t about to sell this place to the likes of you,” Jackson yells, and that sick feeling in my stomach only gets worse. I know the color is gone from my face.

“Oh my, it seems you’re keeping secrets from your employees, Claudia. I take it he doesn’t know. I completely understand. Though, you might want to explain it to him soon. That way, instead of showing up here to a job he doesn’t have anymore, he can go straight to the unemployment office. Honestly, he might want to go there sooner. However, I suppose I will be hiring a few when I take over.”

“You’re going to run a garage? I have trouble seeing that,” I tell him, ignoring the way Jackson is staring at me.

“A garage? Good heavens, no! I’m going to be demolishing the garage. I’m going to be turning this place into a landfill station.”

“You’re what?”

“It seemed apt that it becomes a place for garbage, since that’s exactly what built it to begin with.” His verbal blow is delivered hard, striking me and momentarily robbing me of breath. He’s never been a father to me. The fact that he’s putting me through all this is proof enough of that. Still, it’s hard to hear the man who fathered you call you garbage.

“I think you’d better leave,” Ida Sue says, coming to my side and wrapping her arm around my shoulders as if to protect me. She can’t really, not from the cold hate that lies between me and David Riverton, but it’s good she’s here. Right now, I’m not sure I could keep standing if she wasn’t giving me support. I feel Jackson move in on my other side. He has to know I’ve f*cked up, but he’s still here. I try and hold on to that.

“Oh. Gray’s mother, right? Ida Joe, Right? Perhaps you can see now just what type of woman your son has gotten himself involved with.”

“I can, and I completely approve. His choice in business partners, however, I’ll definitely need to talk with him about.”

“I have heard that your past is rather colorful. I guess your reaction shouldn’t surprise me,” Riverton replies. “Bad blood always shows. Maybe I need to find a new face of Riverton Metals before your offspring can tarnish it.”

“Why, you son of a bitch! You want to lock horns with me? Feel free. But you better be ready for what you’re inviting. I can’t–”

“Leave,” I order him, interrupting Ida Sue.

“I don’t think I want to right now,” he retorts. “I’m finding this is kind of fun.”

“Leave or I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”

“Fuck, yeah,” Jackson grumbles.

“This place is mine. The paperwork is a mere formality.”

“You don’t have possession of it yet, and if you don’t leave, I’ll call Sheriff Tykes and press charges for trespassing,” I tell him, proud that my voice is firm. For some reason, I’m feeling stronger. I’m intent on Riverton, and for that reason, I don’t even notice that Ida Sue isn’t beside me anymore. And because I’m not watching her, I’m completely taken by surprise when she blasts Riverton with the water hose that’s hooked up.

“Ida Sue!” I yell, astonished and laughing despite being horrified. Riverton doesn’t need more reason to destroy me.

“I’m just hosing down the place, sweetie. The stench of the garbage was starting to make me sick.”