His father always pushed and pushed him. And for what? So in the end he could share running Knight Shipping with Lucius? And Tahlia Armstrong? Where in the heck had she come from?
“Why do you think he did it?”
“At first, I was so sucker punched, I couldn’t think of a single reason why. And then it came to me.”
“What came to you? Don’t leave me in suspense.”
“Tahlia may think my father’s motives were altruistic in giving her those shares. And maybe they were.” Maximus’s lips twisted in a cynical smile. “But I suspect the old man wanted to ensure that I never took Knight Shipping public.”
Griffin’s expression grew still, and he became serious. “Do you really think he went that far?”
Maximus shrugged.
“What are you going to do?” Griffin inquired. “Contest it? I would imagine your father made the will iron-clad.” Griffin was an attorney at a well-known law firm in Los Angeles.
Maximus nodded. “Robert said as much.”
“So? Do you think Lucius will sign over his shares?”
“It’s doubtful,” Maximus responded. Despite the fact that Lucius hadn’t asked for or even wanted the inheritance, Maximus doubted he’d walk away from it. His older brother struck him as the proud type. He’d keep the shares, just to show Maximus that he could and to prove to himself that he could run it. He’d done his research, and Lucius hadn’t become a corporate raider by chance. Lucius had obtained an MBA before investing in his first business venture, an up-and-coming technology firm. The gamble paid off, and he’d made his first million before he was thirty.
Unlike Maximus, who’d been groomed since he was young that one day he’d take over the company Arthur had started with his mother Charlotte’s help. Oh, yes, Maximus had learned years ago that his father had married into money and had used her family’s money to start Knight Shipping. No doubt, that was why he’d stayed married to her because he didn’t want to lose his empire. Yet, he continued his affair with Jocelyn Turner, the woman he’d truly loved.
It burned in Maximus’s craw.
“Max?” Griffin interrupted his thoughts. “What are you thinking? I can see your mind spinning a mile a minute. Are you thinking about the overseas deal and how you’re going to salvage it?”
Knight Shipping had been offered lucrative contracts to transport electrical machinery and luxury vehicles, but they needed capital to expand, especially if Knight Shipping wanted to compete with the other cargo and shipping companies in the Port of Los Angeles marketplace.
“I am thinking about it. But there’s no getting around Lucius,” Maximus responded, “at least for the moment. I’ll have to choose a different route.”
Griffin studied him, trying to read his next move. “The girl?”
“Bingo.” Maximus smiled devilishly.
“How?”
“Get her on my side. Convince her to see things my way.”
“And how do you plan to do that?” Griffin inquired, sipping his coffee.
Maximus shrugged. “It’s quite easy. Seduce her.”
Griffin choked on his beverage. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Tahlia Armstrong likes me,” Maximus replied. “I sensed it yesterday when she stayed behind for dinner.”
“Your mother dined with the woman who’d been carrying on an affair with her husband for years?” Griffin was aghast.
“Trust me, it didn’t last long. But it was Tahlia’s idea. From what I gather, my father intended her to be the peacekeeper between Lucius and me. Last night was her first attempt, which although a bust gave me just the ammunition I need to get out of this quagmire my father has left us in. I mean really, Griff, he gave both of us forty-nine percent? What was he thinking?”
“He wasn’t. He felt guilty for keeping Lucius in the dark about his true identity. This was his way of making amends.”
“At my expense,” Max said hotly. “He could have given Lucius money, baubles, anything—even a smaller percentage of the company. Why did he have to give him an equal share in Knight Shipping? He knew how much the company meant to me. The only thing I can think of is he did this to spite me, get back at me in some way because I was never the son he really wanted.”
Griffin frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it obvious? He wanted Jocelyn. He wanted their son, Lucius, but he could never have them because he was bound to my mother because her money was used to build his company.”
“C’mon, Maximus. That sounds twisted. I’m sure that’s not it.”
“Isn’t it?” Maximus had never truly felt loved by his father. Arthur had been happy to see him go away to boarding school and college. And when he’d come home, Maximus would be so happy to see him and eager to show his father the reports of how well he’d done, but Arthur could never be bothered. He was always working. For what? A company he told Max would be his, only to give half of it away to Lucius, the son he really wanted?
“Max, bro.” Griffin grabbed his shoulder from across the table. “Don’t. Don’t do this to yourself. Don’t second-guess everything that ever happened between you and your father. It’ll drive you crazy.”
“No crazier than learning my entire life was built on a lie,” Maximus stated harshly, shrugging Griffin’s hand away. “Finding out my father married my mother for her money and only stayed with her because of it. He never loved her or me. We were both just a means to an end.”
“Max...”
Maximus rose to his feet and buttoned his suit jacket. “Anyway, thanks for hearing out me, Griff. I guess I just needed to get some things off my chest.”
Griffin stood, as well. “Of course. Anytime you need an ear, I’m here to listen.”
Maximus turned to leave, but Griffin stopped him.
“What about Tahlia Armstrong? Were you serious about your intentions toward her?”
Maximus hesitated in his footsteps. No, he wasn’t sure this was the right move. He didn’t relish hurting anyone, least of all an unsuspecting, sweet and beautiful woman like Tahlia Armstrong, but his hands were tied. “It’s the only way.”
* * *
Tahlia stood outside Art Gallery Twenty-One in the Arts District on Monday morning and looked up at the white stucco two-story building. She still couldn’t believe she owned it, lock, stock and barrel. Arthur Knight had purchased the art gallery on her behalf and bequeathed it to her in his will.
A smile formed on Tahlia’s full lips. He’d done this for her. When all she’d ever done was listen to the older gentleman when he came to look at artwork. She’d had no idea that small act of kindness would lend itself to Arthur being so generous.
“How
