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I tried to make myself comfortable as I sat in the backseat of my Cadillac, my driver at the wheel It was a little after one, and I foundif a drink was in order But I thought better of it—Dad wasn’t the kind of man you wanted to let yourself be even a tiny bit not-on-your-game around He was the only person I kneho had no probleuard
The drive from the financial district to Midtown only took ten ht for the reeted with the towering sight of Taylor Logging HQ, thebrilliant as always I h the lobby and up to the top floor where Dad, Sam, and I had our offices
I couldn’t putabout theDad had been terse on the phone, evenon than si few months
I didn’t havein front of the looave them a quick rap
Dad’s voice was as gruff as ever “Come in”
I opened the doors and stepped inside I’d been in that dahout the years, but the roos, walls lined with bookshelves and antiques, six TVs all tuned to various financial channels, and a view of the city that was nothing short of majestic—the office had been built to impress And that was how Dad wanted it Anyone alked into that place had no doubt in their e
And one day, I hoped it’d be ht into retirement over the last year after his doctor let hins of stress
Years of high-stakes co habit, and his typical uncoun to take their toll on his health Sure, I wanted to be in charge, but I also wanted a happy retirement for my old man rather than a heart attack at his desk
I put all that out of my mind as I stepped into the office The old man was there, tall and well-built for a man in his mid-sixties, his head bald on top and what rereen eyes and sharp features and was dressed in one of his light gray tailored suits He sat behind the desk with his typical i me as I entered
Saer brother, was there too Unlike my dad and I, who shared the same broad-shouldered, burly look, Sam took more after our late mother He was slim and y, his skin fair and his eyes a brilliant blue, his hair blonde as straw and long enough to slick back and tuck behind his ears I re across the word “i of hiood word to describe him
But I loved the guy, as much as a rivalry as we’d always had The kid didn’t h
“Glad you finally decided to show up,” said Sa smile on his lips