As Long As I Have You

~ Chapter One ~

"You can't do this," the man snarled before he thrust his hands into the pockets of his trousers.

"I'm the President and CEO. And I'm your father, remember? I can do whatever I want. And you may scoff at me like I'm some doddering old fool, but mark my words, you're reaching an age where 'old' is closer than you think, Evan."

Patrick Beaumont took another sip from the heavy crystal glass in his hand and savoured the charred honey flavours as they warmed his tongue and worked their way around his mouth. His favourite bourbon always did the trick when he was making monumental decisions.

"You're going to agree to this one way or another, son."

"You might have to kill me first."

Of all the pride Patrick carried for his four children, his oldest son held a special place for him and always would. Evan had a particular brilliance for seeing every angle at all times, not to mention his ability for reading and reacting to people. He sealed deals others considered hopeless and created lasting partnerships where only rivalries seemed to flourish.

Over the years he had done little more than watch in silent awe as his son moved quickly from apprentice to executive, and then assume his well-deserved role as Chief Operating Officer of the family's company, Beaumont Industries. He had done it solely on merit, and along the way had earned himself the reputation as a force to be reckoned with, and one definitely not to be crossed.

Patrick couldn't have been more proud of his oldest son. Nor could he have picked a worse opponent to go up against.

___________________

Evan couldn't say how many times he walked the length of his father's office, but he did have a new understanding as to why caged animals endlessly paced in their faux luxurious dens after being captured from the wild. It didn't matter that his father's office was opulent both in size and taste by anyone's standards. It was a cage pure and simple.

He also knew why that same corralled animal pulled against its noose when taken captive. And although his perfectly Windsor-knotted tie squeezed the life from him he refused to pull at it and provide himself the relief he craved. He would never show his captor such weakness.

"What about Suzanne, Dad? Or Caleb?"

"Hmph. If that girl weren't the spitting image of her mother I'd swear she wasn't mine most days. No, Suzanne's head is so high in the clouds I don't know if she'll ever be ready. And everyone knows it's only a matter of time for Caleb. I wouldn't be surprised if it happened tomorrow."

He tapped his finger against his glass as if paging his butler, and waited for Evan to retrieve it. The small distance was easily devoured by the younger man's long strides and soon he was back at the bar pouring a fresh drink for his father and one for himself.

Evan knew his face could be seen in the reflection of the wet bar, and knew even better his father was scrutinizing each of his movements, searching out some clue for what his son was thinking. He paid no mind to it. The talent he had for concealing his thoughts had been perfected so long ago he knew there would be nothing to see no matter how hard his father looked.

Try and guess what I'm thinking, old man. I dare you.

He walked deliberately back to the desk and placed his father's refilled glass in front of him, then half-emptied his own drink in one angry swallow. Little good it did other than burn a tortuous path down his throat and drop like a rock into his stomach. God how he hated bourbon.

"I still don't know where you came up with this harebrained idea, Dad. It's ridiculous."

"No, it's not."