CHAPTER 43

Xander's POV

I exhale as I lean into my seat, my eyes surveying a copy of my father's will, and my inheritance on the screen of my laptop. I am yet to find anything I can work my way around. Maybe Costello knows it and that's why he hasn't been answering my calls.

Even though I have managed to alleviate some of Alexa's fear, I know she is still worried about not fulfilling her end of the deal. What she doesn't know is I won't let her go whether or not she fulfills it or not.

The realization stuns me a bit and it has taken me a few days to work my head around. I want her with me. I don't want her ever leaving. I never want her to feel distressed. And certainly not because she can't give me a heir.

I don't know what my father was thinking when he decided to make such an obnoxious rule like this bit it's giving me a headache just thinking about it. I don't know why he assumed that I will never get married.

Eva.

Of course, it has to be Eva. Especially not with how quickly she took over my father's empire and built connections with the affluent over the years. She has people in the royals, industries and all over the world ready to do her bidding. The woman could charm whoever she wanted and she almost succeeded in charming me too.

My fingers massage my head where I can feel the onslaught of a coming headache. I have to find a way to work around the clause on the will otherwise, I will lose everything. Eva knows that which is why she has been quiet of late despite my theatrics to keep her out of the way.

I have to admit that I'm succeeding quite well with that. How else would I still be seated in my seat without consequences? Going after Eva Gold could cost me everything but I already burnt down the bridge a few weeks ago when I decided I was going to do this.

My phone starts to ring, interrupting my line of thoughts. I squint and reach for it on my desk. Sawyer is calling me on FaceTime and I smile, because the bastard almost never calls. After answering the call, it takes a few seconds before his face pops up on my screen.

“Hey, man.” He calls.

I squint my eyes and open them properly while glaring at him on my phone. Is that…He looks miserable.

“You look miserable, man.” I tell him. “What's going on with you?”

He scoffs, trying to downplay what I can see. Sawyer is the messiest person amongst us. If anything is wrong with him, it's easier to see it to because he is always a mess. And right now, he is a big mess.

“I'm anything but miserable,” he says.

I pass him a droll look of disbelief which makes hin sigh. “For once, can you just try to be convinced?”

“Not when you are looking like that,” I tell him. “Besides, you called me. You knew I was going to notice once I saw you in that state. If you didn't want me to know, you could have done something about your appearance.” I add.

“Fuck you,” he groans, palming his face with his other hand.

I don't laugh. Instead, I watch him, knowing he has something to say.

“I broke things off with Calista,” he tells me.

“Wow,” I mutter. No wonder he is looking like that. “What happened?” I ask.

“Caught her cheating on me. Apparently, she's been fucking this dude while spending my money. I don't say anything to her. Two days ago, she came over to the house to do her dilly dally duties and pretend she wants my dick so I can give her more money or whatever she wants. And I throw it in her face. She goes from begging and apologizing to smashing my TV.” He tells me.

“Oh, wow.” I say, eyes wide. The bitch has always been crazy.

“Yeah, man. I called things off. We are done.”

“Yet you look miserable,” I say with a sigh. “Is that because you know if she comes back begging, you will take her again?” I ask.

“Her pussy is addicting, dude.” He laughs at his horrible joke. I don't laugh and keep my eyes on him.

“Sawyer,” I call.

He sighs. “I didn't call you to hear this from you. If I wanted advice, Reed would have been my guy. But you bastards seem to be all loved up.” He says, tiredly.

“Don't take her back, Sawyer. Take a break off work and come to NY. Let's help you feel better. Meet new people. Women and see for yourself what Calista can't give you.” I tell him.

He ponders on my words for a few seconds. “I might just take you up on that since Reed is moving soon. Will you let Alexa cook for me?” He asks.

I laugh. “You might have to ask her that yourself, Sawyer. But I'm sure she will be happy to.”

He smiles. “Okay, dude.” He says and smoothly moves on to business talk. We talk for a few minutes before he switches again. “Have you seen Lane lately?”

“Not since I ambushed him at the restaurant. He hasn't gotten back to me too. I'm waiting on him.” I tell him.

“He will come around. I've been trying to reach him too.” He sighs and I nod. “Okay, man. Gotta go now.”

I nod and exchange goodbye before the line goes dead. I smile and put my phone away hoping for his sake thar Sawyer will take his advice. Calista is bad for him. Terrible even.

I resume surveying the documents I've been looking at before the call. Notbing has changed, unsurprisingly. After a few minutes more, I pick up my phone and place a call to Costello.

The family lawyer doesn't pick up. He hasn't replied to any of my texts either and I don't know what to make of it. There has to be a way to work around the deal and I know that there is. But the man won't pick up.

It occurs to me then that he might not be picking up or returning my calls and texts because Eva has him wrapped around her pinky finger like she does with most people.  It will make sense especially with the omission in the will and clause I received the first time. I don't know why it doesn't occur to me before now.

Instead of phoning the corrupt lawyer again, I place a call to Dave. Dave doesn't pick up in the first two rings but he does send me a texts to let me know he is in a meeting with a client.  I put my phone away and push the thoughts of my inheritance to the back of my mind as I resume working.

When a texts comes in from Alexa moments later, a smile magically appears on my face. She's texting to see if I am excited for tonight. She hasn't told me what she has planned for us but it's all she has been talking about. I love it for her since she seems more like herself lately.

I reply and tell her that I'm excited and she pops back a reply, asking me to leave office early and not to return home late. After responding to that as well, I put my phone away to resume working.

I am almost done with work for the day when I receive a knock on my door. Since Carly hasn't bothered to let me know that someone is coming in, it either has to be her or someone else.

After asking whoever it is to come in, the door opens and Dave walks into my office. He is dressed in corporate wear and he looks as tired as I feel. We both love what we do but we can't help how draining it can be. How draining it is.

“I thought you were going to call me back,” I say to him as he goes ahead to have his seat on the couch. I rise from my seat and go fetch a bottle of wine from my drink cabinet. I fetch two glass tumblers alongside and go to sit opposite him.

“I was nearby. My client wanted us to take things out of office.” He explains.

“Lucky me,” I smirk and pour out our drink. Dave downs his with ease while I take steady sips of mine. “I've been reviewing a copy of my father's will sent to me by Costello and I've been thinking of a way to work around the clause.”

“Found anything yet?” Dave asks as he leans forward and snatches the bottle of wine away from me.

“Nothing that has been helpful,” I tell him. “So, u tried talking to Costello but the bastard wouldn't return my calls or reply my texts.” I say.

Dave gulps his wine before he lets his eyes meet mine, understanding dawning on them. “Eva,” he says smoothly.

“Unfortunately,” I nod. “Because of that, I've decided to do things in an unconventional way.” I tell him.

He nods again, understanding my unspoken words. “You need blackmail materials on Costello. Got it. I can find something. The man is not as stealthy as he thinks.” He says.

“Great, that's all I need. For now.” I add.

Dave shrugs before launching into some clientele issues he's been having to deal with. A client is proving way too difficult and that can put Sofia in danger. Apparently, the client is threatening him.

“What are you going to do?” I ask him when he finishes and goes quiet.

“What I always do,” he returns and I catch a glimpse of the ruthless man inside him.

I nod and chug down my wine. When we finish, I watch him leave before returning to finish my work. When I finally round up, I'm out of the office quicker than a deer. I relieve Carly to go home as well. Stanley is waiting for me by the car when I appear.

“Home?” He asks as be unlocks the door doe me to move in. I'm already texting Alexa to tell her that I'm on my way.

“Home,” I nod and settle in.

Stanley gets behind the wheels and starts the car. The car eases out of the environment and I relax. Another day done and now, I can return home to my wife. For a moment, I let myself wonder what Alexa has planned. But I know it's really not about what she has planned but more about us spending quality time together.

Midway into the ride, my phone chimes in my pocket to alert me of a text and I take it out of my pocket. I frown when I see it's from Lane. He doesn't say anything else, just an address. A grin tugs at my lips till I'm full on smiling.

I knew the fucker would come around. He always did. And Sawyer had confirmed it earlier. Maybe he finally got through to him. Sawyer could be very well responsible for the sudden change. It doesn't matter if he isn't. While I'm there, I will make sure Lane talks to Sawyer.

“Stanley,” I call, putting my phone away without texting Alexa. This will be quick.

“Yes, Mr. Gold,” Stanley answers.

“Take me to Wall Street,” I deadpan and lean back to enjoy the ride with a smile on my face.

My brain whirls as I think of all the ways Lane will be of help to me. I already have a plan in motion but it won't hurt to see what he has to say. Lane is very resourceful even though he can be stupid sometimes. But it doesn't matter right now. That doesn't matter.

Lane will help me take down Eva Gold till her name or essence will be a past thing.