Silver Spoon (16 page)

"Uh huh. He's gorgeous, gentle, smart, and simply irresistible." She punctuated each word with a kiss.

"Sounds like a good guy to keep around." He thoroughly enjoyed the banter and playfulness.

"Oh, definitely. Especially because I love him."

"I love you, Riley. More than I can ever say." Cupping the back of her head, he pulled her down for a passionate kiss, full of promise and everything he felt for the small redhead who had wormed her way into his life, his heart, and made him happier than he ever thought possible.

Chapter 21

Spoon pulled into the paved semi-circle driveway, parking under the extended front porch. The two-story brick mansion hadn't changed since he'd left there as an eighteen-year-old with a vow to never return.

All his young life, he'd tried to impress his father, working hard to earn straight As on his quarterly grade card, and remain at the top of his class. Anything to earn attention and praise from a father who had spent long hours at work to get a toehold in the diamond industry.

All that came to a head when he'd entered his project in the science fair. At fourteen, he had held the top spot in his school and easily made his way to the regional competition level with his chemistry experiment, turning masses from liquids to a solid with the introduction of sound. Hours and hours he'd obsessed over every minor detail, needing his entry to be perfect. He had taken home a second place ribbon, failing in his bid to win and cruise on to nationals. When he'd proudly displayed his fancy small trophy to his father, he had received abruptness.

"Why didn't you win? If you would have worked harder, you would have won." With those harsh words, his father had stormed off.

Devastated, Spoon had begun to act out, hurt deeply by his father's rejection and his mother's lack of attention and care. His behavior had led to visits with the principal and banishment to his bedroom while at home. Even though his parents had forbidden computer games, he'd still retained his laptop, allowing him the time and ability to play with software, curiously learning how everything clicked. Soon, he'd found a small niche in life. With most of his homework finished at school, he had come home to his peaceful domain, with his laptop for company.

By age sixteen, he had been hacking into businesses and working his way up. The challenge of compromising the Pentagon's computers had spurred him ahead, even though each time he'd gotten close, he'd ended up down some rabbit trail that dead ended with a blunt warning. While sharpening his computer skills, he'd also discovered a hidden talent in baseball. Trying out on a hunch, he had made the team as starting shortstop with the assistance of his developing build and natural athletic talents. Besides providing a reason to be away from his turbulent home, baseball had allowed him to find a paternal mentor in his coach, a solid man who'd taken him under his wing, provided stability, and encouragement, all the things lacking from his biological parents. He credited the very same coach for getting him back on the straight and narrow and into college.

Purposely, he'd chosen to attend college halfway across the country, accepting a baseball scholarship at a large school where he could study whatever he wanted while blending in. For the first time in his life, he'd felt freedom and control, allowing him to spread his wings and excel. Never intending to return home, he had enrolled in classes year round, graduating in three years even with a busy schedule of baseball. In two more years, he'd finished his college baseball career and attained his masters in computer science and software design, his hacking abilities serving him well.

His father had demanded that he return home at once to take his place in the family business. As Spoon didn't care anything for the jewelry business or his father, he'd absolutely refused, having the foresight to understand how miserable he would be working under his perfectionist father. No matter how hard his father had pushed, he'd stood his ground. Then, he'd come across the solution. An Army recruiter had visited campus, telling tales of world travel, benefits, and opportunities. Spoon had immediately signed up, much to his father's fury.

Like most things in life, the Army had proved a bit lackluster compared to the promises he'd heard and understood. The other soldiers had harassed him about his rich background, teaching him a valuable lesson to keep his mouth closed about his past. Once that had happened, he'd begun to climb the ranks, landing as a Green Beret with just a few months under his belt. He'd enjoyed the advanced level work and special ops experiences, but still felt restless, needing more from his occupation than following orders and keeping his mouth shut despite questions and concerns over the whys and ways missions were carried out. Tired of shuffling and saluting, he'd put in for discharge, actively searching for a similar field where his well-practiced skills could come into use, but still retain some control over his life. That's when he had discovered the Wind Warriors.

Shaking his head, he focused on the here and now, staring at the ominous front door.
Time to face the lion in his den.
Climbing out of the car, he marched up the front steps, and rang the doorbell. A maid answered the door, ushering him in once he told her his name.

Matt met him in the living room, giving him a big hug. "Aidan. I didn't think you would come."

He grinned at his younger brother, the only family he counted, returning the affection. "You're right. I can't avoid the grizzly bear forever. Better to call him out and get this over with than to delete dozens of irate phone calls."

"That's the spirit." Matt flashed white teeth in a broad smile.

His brother stood a couple inches shorter, with the darker hair color of their mother. They shared the same brown eyes. Physically, Matt lacked his bulk, but still stayed in shape. Riding a desk and working out at a gym resulted in different muscle mass than stealthily sneaking into compounds, taking out the head viper, and blowing the whole operation to kingdom come while ducking bullets and grenades in the process.

"It's about damn time." A male voice roared across the room.

Spoon turned to find his father, now gray-headed and carrying more weight around his middle than he remembered, staring at him with an expression of anger mixed with a flash of hope.

"I agree."

A superior smile appeared on Willard's face. "You've decided to accept the manager position. Excellent."

Spoon shot Matt a look and sucked in a breath. "No. I've come to tell you once and for all that I will never accept that job or any other job in your company. I've never cared for the jewelry business and I'm not stupid enough to put myself under your hard thumb for the rest of my working life."

"Why you insubordinate bastard!" His father's face turned crimson with anger. "You owe it to me to take that job!"

"Like hell!"

"After all I've done for you? Men would kill for this job I'm offering to you. Wealth. Power. Women. It's the best offer you'll ever see and you stomp on it like a damn bug." His nostrils flared as he breathed deeply and his face pinched in a harsh scowl. "I groomed you to manage the mine owners and oversee deals. Yet you spit on all my hard work?"

"Your hard work? All you ever gave me was a reason to grow up fast and leave."

"Ungrateful whelp! I gave you everything in life and worked my ass off to provide for you! "

"You did nothing for me. Everything I have in life, I earned myself." He released a long sigh in an attempt to leash his raging temper. "I love my present job and have no intentions of leaving. Certainly not to work for you. I would rather live on the streets than take a penny from you!"

"Belly crawling grunt. That's all you'll ever be in the Army."

Matt stepped between them. "How dare you insult him like that? If you knew half of what Aidan does, you'd salute him and sing his praises. He's risked his life in the name of his country more times than anyone can count. Still does." Always the peacekeeper, Matt tried to reason with both sides to strike some semblance of compromise.

Spoon glanced from Matt back to his enraged father. He didn't care what the old man said to him. Age and wisdom taught him that he was no longer that teenager, desperately needing his father's love. He did just fine without it. His brother, on the other hand, revered the old man.

"Give the job to Matt. He's busted his ass to do everything within his ability to please you."

"I don't want a fucking 'yes' man running my company overseas. I need someone with balls."

Conniving bastard.

Matt turned on their father like an alpha pride lion meeting a threat to his dominance. "A fucking 'yes' man? That's what you think of me?" He threw his arms up in agitation. "I've done everything to show you that I can do the job. Education. Skills. Shit, I even took a low-end job to pay the bills while trying to find a way into your line of vision. If that's not enough, then too fucking bad." He stomped off, then spun back around. "I justified your absence and lack of concern for years, telling myself and Aidan that you simply worked so hard to provide us with a good life, and were too busy and too tired to spend any time with us. Shit. How blind was I?"

"Listen here, you sorry eating son…"

Matt raged on. "No, you listen, you bastard."

"Bastard! Let me tell you something, you whiney simpleton."

"Matt." Spoon inserted the voice of reason. "He's not worth it."

"He insulted you.
You.
The man who keeps us all safe at night. The soldier who still takes down militants and terrorists, putting your life on the line for little to no reward or recognition. No. Any father would be more than proud of such a son."

The words soothed his soul and solidified his feelings for his younger brother while revealing Matt's flattering idolism. "It doesn't matter, Matt. I've moved on." Spoon rested his hand on Matt's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "However"—he turned back to his scowling father—"you won't speak like that to Matt. He's the best thing you could have had. Hard worker. Knows the business. Hell, he did his master's thesis on diamond mining, hoping to use the research to help your company lead the way to the future. If you're moronic enough to throw away the best qualified man for the job, then so be it. I'm sure your competitors will be more than happy to create a position for him." With that said, Spoon turned on his heel.

"Wait!"

Pausing, he looked at the door, not bothering to glance at the man who caused so much pain in his life and now to Matt's. "Don't hassle me again. I won't answer your phone calls, no matter what."

"I got that." His father's voice lowered, laced with resignation. "I always cared for you. You've got to realize that."

"Damn funny way you have of showing it." With those parting words, he strode out of the hall and through the front door, Matt fast on his heels, not stopping until he reached his car. Releasing a long weary sigh, he gazed at the only family member that he respected. "I'm sorry, Matt. I know you dreamed of working for him."

His brother shrugged. "I thought I did. Now, I believe what I really needed was a kick in the pants." A sad, resigned smile appeared. "Happen to know anyone with pull in the diamond industry?"

"As a matter of fact…"

Epilogue

Riley sighed, her attention pulled from the few stragglers on the cardio equipment back to the new ring on her left hand. Lifting it closer, she twisted it around her finger, enjoying the brilliant sparkle under the different angles of light. Drifting off into a daydream, she recalled the magnificent day he proposed.

A week ago, in a gesture worthy of a top-of-the-line romance novel, Spoon had pulled out the stops when asking her to marry him. At her second ever book signing, and unbeknownst to her, he'd waited patiently in line with her fans for his turn. Once it came, he had sidled up to the table, a smile plastered on his face and a gleam in his eye. Before she could kick her startled mind into gear, he had rounded to her side, and lowered to one knee, popping the question while holding out a small black velvet box with the lid opened. Surprised, elated, and overcome with joy, Riley had eagerly accepted, hugging and kissing him with exuberance while those in the store clapped in approval. He'd proudly slipped the beautiful platinum and blue sapphire ring on her finger and she hadn't removed it since.

Engagement wasn't the only positive in her life in the past few weeks since Spoon stumbled into her life. Her book sales had recently doubled, presumably from his assistance and information, particularly with the sex scenes. Excellent reviews flowed in, all complimenting her on the steamy, hot passion she evoked in her characters and predicting most female readers would fan themselves while daydreaming as the heroine to the book's gorgeous, witty, and confident hero. She could empathize as Spoon did the same for her, boldly showing her each and every way to reach fulfillment in his strong embrace.

Her father had called now and again. As promised, she'd tried to leave the past behind her and turn over a new leaf in their relationship. In all honesty, reconciliation would be impossible, but learning to tolerate one another made for a good goal in her opinion.

At least Spoon had his brother. Both washed their hands of their overbearing and controlling father, walking out for good. Neither admitted to missing him or their socialite of a mother. Riley had thrown her support behind Spoon and Matt, playing cheerleader to each positive in their lives. As long as they had peace and contentment with their decisions, that's all that mattered.

She released a happy sigh. Four months ago, she'd lived through her stories, certain that a knight in shining armor would never ride to her rescue, place her on his horse, and carry her off to his castle to love and keep forever. Wonderful things like that only happened in fairy tales and romance novels, not in real life, and certainly not to average women like her, preferring solitude over mass gatherings every time. Then Spoon had entered the picture, bringing with him a whole new world of brightness, adventure, and a life full of promise. Riley had eagerly invested in her life and their relationship, truly realizing her great fortune in finding a unique, wonderful and exceptional man.