Beyond These Walls (The Walls Duet #2)(65)

I took a deep breath, trying to relax, as the pilot landed the plane. Within minutes, the flight attendants had the doors open, and I was walking through the airport toward the row of cabs lining the front. My brother, of course, had beat me to it, and as I walked toward baggage claim, I spotted a man dressed in a sharp suit and tie, holding a sign with my last name neatly printed on it.

Shaking my head, I greeted him.

“Isn’t this a little beneath you?” I grinned, actually glad to see him for a change.

Roman smirked before quickly turning the sign over.

Welcome home, jackass, it said.

“Now, that’s more like it.” I laughed.

We shook hands and headed out toward the front. The jet-black car he always had on standby was parked outside, and I quickly put my carryon in the trunk, not bothering to pester the driver with it. My brother fully embraced his wealthy lifestyle while I tended to use it only when it involved spoiling my wife.

“So, why are you picking me up?” I asked as we settled into the backseat.

He reached into a mini cooler and handed me a bottle of water and grabbed another for himself.

“Well, it’s been a while since you’ve been around. Figured I’d give you an update before the meeting.”

I was silent for a moment, letting that sink in.

“I told you I could be an adult when I wanted to be,” he reminded me.

“I know,” I answered. “It’s just still hard to see.”

His hard eyes stared at me, unblinking.

“Thank you,” I responded, not knowing what else to say.

A quick nod was all the acknowledgement I got before he dived into business talk, his mouth moving so fast that I had a hard time keeping up.

I mostly listened, added my two cents here or there, but for the most part, he’d done a stellar job at preparing for our annual meeting. I was actually impressed.

The feeling intensified as the meeting began, and I watched him in action. He’d really gone all in, like he’d said he would, reviewing every aspect until he had it all down pat. There was no cutting corners, no loose ends. He was confident and composed as he spoke to the board, and for once, I believed he really could do it all.

I wasn’t a fool. This potential didn’t suddenly spring up from nowhere. He’d had it all along—well before I’d left for California.

So, why was he suddenly revealing it now?

If he’d been so capable in the past, why come to me, begging me to come back years ago? Why let the company fall to ruins? Why sit by and let me run the show while he played poster boy for a company he could clearly help lead side by side?

There were so many sides to the Roman puzzle, yet I couldn’t figure any of them out.

We ended the annual meeting on a high note, everyone shaking hands, eager for the year ahead. All wished me and Lailah well with the pregnancy, knowing it was a risky one. I thanked everyone and promised to give any updates as they came along. After the room emptied, I turned to Roman, who was loosening his tie, as he flopped into a leather chair, exhausted.

“You did good,” I admitted.

“I know.” He grinned before taking a large gulp of water from the bottle in front of him.

“Why—” I began.

He cut me off, “You’d better get going. Mom is eager to see you.”

“You’re not coming?”

He shook his head. “No, I think I’ve had enough grown-up time for one day. Time to let off a bit of steam.” He stood, brushing past me but paused near the entrance. “Good to see you, Jude. Be good to Lailah,” he said before disappearing around the corner.

“I’ve missed you so much!” My mom burst into tears the moment the door opened. “Come in, come in!”

“Kind of hard when you’ve got me in a vise grip,” I said as her slender body held me tightly. My arms folded around her as I smiled.

“Sorry.” She laughed. “Just checking to make sure you’re really here.”

“It hasn’t been that long,” I said.

She stepped back, taking a good look at me. “It feels like an eternity. And look at that tan!”

I shrugged. “California weather, Mom—it can’t be beat. You should try it sometime.”

“Well, I don’t think I can pull off a tan like that anymore, but I sure wouldn’t mind the heat. And I would love to see my daughter-in-law. Tell me, how is she doing?”

She took my coat, and we made our way to the kitchen for drinks. The house felt huge and empty with just Mom in it these days. When I was younger, it had been full of laughter and staff. There never seemed to be a room that wasn’t occupied by someone. Now, it just felt drafty and cold. I hated the idea of her spending the rest of her life out here, isolated from everyone. I understood the reasoning. It was our family home, and it had to be preserved, but certainly, other arrangements could be made.

“She’s doing great—besides a bit of heartburn,” I answered. “She’s really good Mom.”

“You sound surprised.”

“Honestly, I am.”

“Why?” she asked, grabbing a Coke from the fridge—the classic kind from the bottle. I’d loved them when I was a child, and ever since, she’d always have them waiting for me whenever I came to visit.