As the weather in Chicago got colder, we started organizing fun indoor events at work. At the beginning of December, we set up a punch station right next to the coffee machine—alcohol-free, of course.
This year we were throwing the office Christmas party earlier than usual because so many people were leaving on vacation right after.
The party began at 6:00 p.m., and it was taking place at the bar. We’d closed it off to the public at four o’clock so the team could put up the decorations and rearrange the tables.
I’d invited Dom, too, because I wanted to show off my man to everyone. I’d already gone with him to his company’s Christmas party as well as two more that he couldn’t get out of. I was loving all the festivities.
Kimberly and I had a few shopping sprees at his store. We’d been there before I’d met him, of course, but it was even more fun now. I kept hoping he’d pop into the store while we were there, but it never happened.
Today was going to be fantastic. Luke and Meg said they’d stop by, as did Tyler and Kendra. We always invited the whole family. Typically not many could make it because they were busy enough during the holiday season, but Dom was a big draw for them. I was honestly surprised that the whole family wasn’t attending.
A knock at my door startled me out of my thoughts.
‘Come in,’ I said.
The door opened, and Declan stepped in.
I leaned back in my chair, grinning. ‘You decided to join the party after all?’
But he wasn’t smiling as he took a seat in the chair opposite mine.
I straightened up, realizing he hadn’t come here to talk about that.
‘No. I actually forgot that the party is today. I just wanted to tell you that I’ve met with Malcolm’s team of lawyers. They have no legal means to go after anything regarding the hotel.’
I frowned. ‘Then why even try?’
Declan grimaced. ‘I don’t know.’
‘But you have an idea. You have that face where you’re not sure if you want to share it with me or not.’
He sighed. ‘I think he’s hoping you’ll cave and just give him a check.’
I jerked my head back. ‘Why would he even think that? I haven’t caved in all these years. I’ve done nothing wrong. Why does he think I will now?’
‘Beats me,’ Declan said. “Do you have any idea? I mean, he’s married now and employed, so I find it hard to believe it’s for pure revenge.”
“Yeah, that is odd. Maybe he just needs the money?’ I groaned, my shoulders sagging. ‘I’m sorry, Declan. I wish I had an answer.”
He nodded. “We’ll figure it out. But you have nothing to worry about.”
‘Thanks for taking care of everything. I’m ashamed that I always need you so much.’
‘Reese, I don’t mind taking care of family business.’
‘I know, but I have like 500 percent more legal issues than anyone else.’
‘Don’t worry about it, okay?’
‘Well, since you’re here, do you want us to go upstairs together? Can I tempt you with a drink?’ I asked.
He shrugged. ‘Why the hell not? It’s December, and I’ve got nothing else to do tonight.’
‘What’s Liz doing?”
“Catering an event.” His voice turned flat.
‘And you don’t like that?’
‘I don’t understand why she’s overworking herself so much. I can take care of her.’
My heart swelled as we both rose from our seats. “She knows that, but the bakery has been her dream for so long. I don’t think this feels like work to her.’
‘That’s what she keeps saying,’ he grumbled under his breath.
‘See? Listen to her. Oh, I love the smell already,’ I said as we walked up the stairs to the bar.
‘But it’s smelled like mulled wine for a while,” Declan countered.
‘True, but this one’s spiked with rum.’
‘How can you tell the difference?’
I tapped my nose. ‘I just can.’
Upstairs, the bar had been completely transformed. The decoration was subtle, just red and gold globes strategically placed around the room in addition to the two Christmas trees. I was glad I’d changed companies. The one last year had tried to be a bit too modern for my taste. I didn’t think Christmas needed to be modernized.
‘When is the gang arriving?’ Declan asked.
‘Twenty minutes, give or take. Let’s get you something to drink.”
We stepped up to the bar, and Tom gave us each a mulled wine. Declan and I clinked glasses, and we alternated between sipping our drinks and catching each other up on our lives.
Dom arrived about ten minutes later. Then Tyler, Kendra, Luke, and Megan all came in at the same time a few minutes afterward.
‘Declan, we didn’t know you’d be here too,’ Luke said.
‘I thought you guys might need some support questioning Dom here,’ Declan said with a wink.
Dom laughed. ‘You all take this very seriously.’
‘Yeah, we do,’ Tyler said, eyeing Dom intently.
They started shooting question after question at him, some about the company, some about us. Dom was very smooth with his replies. I was so proud of him.
Slowly, the team started to filter in. Some came directly from the office; some of them went home and changed first. The only one who wasn’t able to attend was Sarah, our receptionist, but I’d planned a surprise for her later on. After I gave my speech and worked the room for a bit, I was going to go downstairs and switch with her so she could at least have a glass of mulled wine. The bellhops would take turns coming up to enjoy the festivities.
As more and more people started to arrive, I wondered if I should wait to give my speech; Travis and Kimberly weren’t here yet, and I wanted them to be able to say a few words too.
I tensed when one of our bellhops stepped into the bar. He wouldn’t come up just yet unless there was a problem. Sure enough, he made a beeline for me.
‘What’s wrong?’ I asked.
‘There’s a man insisting on seeing you. We don’t want to let him up, but he’s causing a ruckus in the reception area. The guests are getting uncomfortable.’
‘Who is it?’ I asked, but then it dawned on me. ‘Malcolm?’
He nodded.
‘Fucking hell,’ Declan exclaimed. “His lawyer must have already informed him of our meeting.”
I drew in a deep breath before turning around to face the group. ‘I want you all to stay here. I’ll just go downstairs and talk to him.’
‘Like hell you’ll go alone,’ Dom said. ‘I’m coming with you.’
‘No, you’re not. I—”
‘Oh my God,’ Kendra gasped. Her eyes were wide.
I turned and saw Malcolm striding toward us.
‘Shit, he must have gotten by the guys downstairs,’ the bellhop said.
“For fuck’s sake, I can’t believe the whole clan is here,’ Malcolm said sarcastically, zeroing in on Declan.
Dom stepped forward. ‘Get out of here.’
Malcolm ignored him and focused on me instead. ‘Reese, I need to talk to you.”
“This is our hotel Christmas party. How dare you show up here?’ I seethed.
He smirked. ‘I knew I’d get your attention this way. Though I have to say, I hadn’t counted on everyone being here.’
‘Get out!’ Tyler bellowed.
I had to get Malcolm out of here. He was good at provoking everyone, and the last thing I wanted was for anyone else in the family to have to deal with this. Tyler had already gotten in enough trouble a while back because of Malcolm, and the hockey league benched him. I refused to let him hurt anyone else.
‘You think you’re untouchable? That you can just cheat me out of my business?’ Malcolm snarled, spittle flying everywhere.
‘For fuck’s sake,’ Declan said. ‘I already told your team that you’ve got absolutely no legal claim.’
‘Yeah, there’s such a thing as—”
‘Malcolm, this isn’t the time and place. I will contact you, and we will talk,’ I said as calmly as possible.
‘The hell you will. You’ve been a coward for years. You’ve never showed up without Declan by your side.’
Dom stepped right in front of him and took him by the collar. ‘If you don’t leave this place, I will take you out with my fists.’
‘And then I’ll have a reason to go after you.’ He took a huge step back, and Dom let him go.
I felt chilled to the bone.
No! He couldn’t go after Dom. He’d already caused enough damage to the people I loved.
The employees were staring at us with stricken expressions.
‘Malcolm, you’re not going to get what you want tonight,’ I told him.
His expression instantly changed. He seemed to back down, realizing this was not the time to discuss this and win. I just needed him to leave the premises before this turned into even more of a shit show.
‘Fine. But if you think I won’t get what I deserve, which is a piece of this, then you’d better think again.’
Declan opened his mouth, but I threw him a warning glance. I just needed Malcolm to think he would get what he wanted so he would leave us alone. I wanted to have a Christmas party with my team. He wouldn’t get anything out of me tonight.
“You’ve always hid behind your family, Reese,” Malcolm sneered.
“Get out!” I shouted.
I knew he wanted to corner me alone, and I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction.
Malcolm looked behind him. Our two security guards had come forward from the entrance, flanking him on either side.
‘All right, I’ll go. But don’t think this is the last conversation we’ll have on this topic.’
‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ I said sarcastically.
I had trouble breathing as I watched him leave, the security guards walking right behind him. I should have given them his photo to make sure he would never be allowed inside, but I hadn’t thought of it until now.
Once he was out of the room, I drew in a deep breath. I eventually realized my family were all talking, and Declan was explaining something to them in a stern voice.
‘Reese, what do you need?’ Dom asked.
‘Some privacy, I think.’
‘Where can we go? I’ll come with you.’
‘Let’s go to the supplies room behind the bar.’
Dom put an arm around my waist, leading me toward the back room. Once inside, he immediately cupped my face. ‘Reese, talk to me.’
I took another breath. ‘I need to get out of here. I don’t want to let down my family and my team, but I don’t think I can keep my composure for the rest of the evening.’
“You won’t let them down. Come on, I’ll get you out of here.’
‘I just need a few more seconds, okay?’
‘Sure,’ he said. ‘I’ll stay here with you.’
He kept me against his chest, and though I felt stronger in his arms, I knew I wouldn’t be any fun tonight. I wanted our employees to have a good time, not wonder why the boss was having a mental breakdown.
‘We can go now,’ I said after a few minutes.
He took my hand, and we both stepped out. My family were all in the exact same spot as before. Travis and Kimberly had arrived too. We hurried to them.
‘Listen,’ I said. ‘I, um, hope you don’t mind, all of you, but I need to take off tonight.’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Travis said. From his grim expression, I assumed he knew what happened. ‘Kimberly and I have everything under control. Dom, take care of her.’
He nodded. ‘That’s the plan.’
I wondered if I should say goodbye to the team, but only half of them were here, and saying anything would just draw even more attention to me.
I glanced at Dom. ‘Okay, let’s go.’
He grabbed my hand again, squeezing my fingers lightly.
