Sweet Billionaire Stepbrother
By: Harlow Grace
Part 1
1: Grayson
Present
Oxford, U.K.
“You promised me six years. Six years where I could do whatever I wanted. I still have nearly two months left.” I wiped my brow, tired to the f*cking bone. I sank back into my chair, my knuckles white as I clutched the phone to my ear.
The tone of my father’s voice was hard and unsympathetic. “Son, you’re wasting your time. You should be here, working with me—shoulder to shoulder. You have a damn empire to take over.”
He hesitated for a moment. I could picture him grinding his teeth like he always did when things weren’t going his way. His voice softened a fraction. “I need you here, Grayson.”
Pressing the phone between my ear and shoulder, I groaned and rubbed my temples. We’d been over this so many times before. Way too many f*cking times.
There was nothing I wanted less than to take over his empire.
Frustration roiled in my gut. We were never going to agree on this. I loved my father—he was a good, no . . . a great man. But I wasn’t going to sell my soul to please anyone. I was just as stubborn as him. Ironically it was a family trait that had brought us the success we desired. Whenever we set our minds on something, we worked until we got it. Pity we had polar opposite ideas as to what my future career entailed and neither of us were going to relent any time soon.
“Dad, I hated every second I spent working for you during my school vacations. No offence, but it’s not in my blood. I’m not like you. The thought of mergers, acquisitions, dealings and negotiations make my stomach churn. As much as it excites you . . . it just doesn’t do it for me.”
A heavy sigh sounded down the line. I closed my eyes and imagined him pinching the bridge of his nose. As usual, neither of us was prepared to compromise. Another trait I’d inherited from him: an obstinate determination to do things my own way. Milton Forbes was a force to be reckoned with, he didn’t take prisoners. But I wasn’t giving up on my dream either.
“Goddammit, Grayson, I didn’t raise you to slave your ass off mending broken people. You were born into the Forbes dynasty—your rightful place is at the head of our company, just like mine was and my father before me. Forbes International has been run by Forbes men for three generations and now it’s time for you to step the f*ck up to your responsibility. I’m tired of this bullshit.”
Me too.
The headache I’d developed when I had answered his call just got worse. Slumping forward, I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, willing the pounding in my head to stop. Already ingrained in my mind, I knew what his next words would be before he spoke them.
“Don’t let me down, Grayson. I need you here beside me, learning the business. You promised me that if I gave you six years, you’d come home and stop your nonsense.”
Nonsense?
I ground my teeth together as I pushed down the anger that threatened to take over. I needed to stay calm and in control. If I lost my shit, it would just prove to my father that he was right.
Raking a hand through my hair, I rose from my desk and paced the room like a caged lion. The walls were closing in on me and I struggled to breathe. I loved it here in my tiny loft apartment. It was only two blocks from the university and a stone’s throw from the hospital; this was home to me and time was running out faster than I could handle.
“You’re probably the only father in the universe who isn’t pleased his son won a scholarship to Oxford University.” I struggled to keep the bitterness from my voice. Silence greeted me at the end of the line, giving me a chance to speak my mind. “Do you have any idea how hard I study? I’m going to be a damn good doctor when I qualify. Do you really want to force me into a career I don’t want because that’s what my great grandfather dictated?”
“I didn’t have a choice . . . and neither do you. Sorry to remind you, but your time and my patience is running out. Once you start your career at Forbes International, you won’t have even a second to think about medicine or any other bullshit.” He hesitated for a few seconds before continuing. “You’ll grow to love it, just as I have. This is for your own good, Son. One day you will thank me.”
I snorted. Hell would freeze over before I felt comfortable in his world. Sarcasm crept into my voice. “I guess you don’t want to know then that I’ve been selected for specializing?”
“No, I don’t.” His agitation was palpable. “Listen, the only reason I gave you six years to go to the bloody U.K. in the first place is because I promised your mother I would. I’ve kept my side of the bargain, now it’s time for you to keep yours.” His tone softened suddenly. “I love you, Grayson. I only want what’s best for you.”
The funny thing was, I knew he loved me. He just didn’t want me to stray from the path already set out for me since the day I was born.
His secretary talked to him in the background, something about a meeting he was running late for. Frustration flooded my stomach. I blew out a ragged breath. “I’m studying for finals, so I really don’t have time for this discussion. We’re no closer to a solution and it just makes my head hurt. I’ll be home after my exams.”
“We can talk more when you get back to Australia.”
“There really isn’t anything new to say. We’re never going to agree on this. I’m old enough to make my own decisions about my life. I know what I want, and being part of Forbes International isn’t it.”