3rd Wheel

Corporate Turnaround

Candon:

Paul recovered from his injuries our children and business grew. As did our circle of poly friends. They became like our family. They understood the struggles we had as a triad. We became each others' support.

Five years after Paul was stabbed, I received a call from a lawyer. He claimed he was from an independent law firm overseeing things for my father's company. In my mind I was thinking, 'so the fuck what.' I was no longer part of the company. My stepfamily had taken control and drove it into the ground through poor management, bad investments, high overhead, marketing and p.r. disasters, and loss of clients. I felt anger flowing through me at the thought.

He told me I needed to come into his office and sign some documents and go over a contract. My mind couldn't process wht he was saying. Finally, I agreed to come in so I could see what the hell was going on.

As I pulled into the garage, a lead weight settled in my stomach. A place that brought me a great deal of pride and joy turned into a nightmare after my dad died. The cutthroat attempts to buy me out, Jaeger leaving, harassment of my loved ones, my rape, the near selling of my child.  

The depths people will sink for a little green paper is sickening.

I forced myself out of the car and got on the elevator. I arrived on the top floor where my office used to be. My head pounded in my chest as I got off the elevator and turned down the hall. The décor hadn't changed. Unbeknownst to many, Jay helped my dad remodel this floor when he joined and made a joke about the bad eighties décor. A smile touched my lips as I ran my hand along one of the sleek surface of one of the warm cinnamon colored desks. I stood outside what was my office and knocked. I heard a throat clearing and a come in.

I pushed down on the handle and stepped inside. I froze in place. Confusion washed over me.

I licked my dry lips and tried to keep a lid on my emotions.  "What's...uh...going on?"

The lawyer pushed his glasses up on his nose. He was about my height with a thin build under his nicely fitted navy suit. He had light brown hair and dark brown eyes. He had that powerful arrogant air of people who eat, sleep, and breathe the law.

His voice was deep and smooth and put me in mind of Jeremy Irons. "You're here to sign this contract reinstating you as CEO of the company and to assign a GM to run things until you've decided if your're taking direct control or acting from the sidelines."

Huh?  My brows furrowed. "I don't understand."

The lawyer pushed a folder across the desk towards me. "Eight months ago,the company was in dire straits. The stock was being sold for pennies. These people," he motioned to the people behind him and to the sides. "- bought those stocks and signed their shares over to you. As of right now you own seventy percent of the company making you the majority shareholder."

I looked at everyone standing behind him with my mouth hanging open. His words still weren't sinking in. "Wh-what?"

A smile lit up his face. "The company is yours again."

I felt the blood rush out of me. I put my hand on the back of the chair and leaned forward so I wouldn't fall over. Tears gathered in my eyes. This had to be a dream or a really bad prank. "Are you serious?"

Paul and Jaeger smiled at me.

The lawyer reached across the desk with a fancy gold Cross pen in his hand. "The company is yours. All you have to do is sign."

I looked from left to right the people standing behind him. Jaeger's parents. Danielo and Gil. Kohl and Paine. Sergio. Blaine and Victor. Jaeger's brothers and sisters. Ani. Two of my dom friends, Pras and Grigory.

My loves, Jaeger and Paul.

I took the pen with a trembling hand and opened the folder. The lawyer was a meticulous man. Every place that needed a signature had a stickie beside it saying 'sign' or 'initial'. A laugh escaped me as I scribbled my name across the pages. Even without my saying so, they knew how much losing my father's company had hurt and did everything they could to get it back for me. If that's not love I don't know what is.

He shook my hand. "Congratulations. The company is yours once again."

"Thank you." I looked into each of their eyes. "For everything."

Terrance crossed his arms. "Don't thank me yet. You got six months to turn this sinking ship around. I'm expecting a hefty return on my investment."

Gil threw his hands up. "Aw geez!"

Kohl rolled his eyes. "Buzzkill!"

"Really? Just really?" Blaine put her hands on her hips.

Jaeger's mom smacked him upside the head.

"I'm just sayin'," he muttered.

I covered my laugh. "No worries. I got you covered." I held my hand out to him. "Thank you for your faith."

He pulled me into a hug. "Anytime, bro."

*There's one chapter left and then we bid farewell to this trio.  

**What are your thoughts?  What did you like/hate?  What did you want to see?