Beneath the Surface by M.A. Stacie Page B

sticky, Dad,” Kyran scoffed. “And it’s not just one situation. He bounces from one disaster to the next. The business will suffer.”
    Jacob leaned forward, flashing a sly smile that Kyran did not like one bit. “Would you prefer it if I returned to the company?”
    Kyran suppressed a shudder. The mere thought of his father lording over his hard work gave him nightmares. After two years of running the corporation his way, hell would have to freeze over before he handed it back to his father. Gritting his teeth, he replied, “Clara wouldn’t know what to do without you. While we’re on the subject, where is your wonderful child bride?”
    “For God’s sake, Kyran, get over yourself. Clara is thirty-seven, no more a child than you or Taylor. She’s been incredibly patient with you, even with your shitty attitude toward her.”
    “Money will make anyone patient , Father.”
    Kyran expected anger but his father stayed calm, and when he spoke, his tone was curt.
    “My relationship with Clara is none of your business. I know exactly how you feel regarding my wife, so no elaboration is required. Going over the same ground will not get you what you want, son. You are not five years old—I will not give in to your tantrums.”
    “Oh, please, give me a break. Like you have any idea what I was like at five years old.”
    “So we’re going to bring your childhood up, too? I thought I was here to check on Taylor, but apparently you feel this is the right time to spill your guts.” He paused for a moment. “You’re right, I wasn’t around when you boys were children; however, you wouldn’t have a company to run now if I hadn’t spent all my time here. Both of you would be on the family ranch in Hunter’s Hollow, cleaning horse shit from your boots, so don’t complain that I wasn’t around.”
    Kyran tapped his fingers on the edge of his desk. He hated dealing with his father. The man would forever avoid answering to any wrongdoings. Kyran would always push for answers only to be disappointed. Like now, all he wanted was confirmation that Jacob was taking notice of Taylor’s behavior. His brother had always been wayward—friends with the wrong people and jumping from one woman’s bed to the next—but he’d grown worse. It was as though he had completely lost his conscience, leaving him to act as he pleased with no consequences.
    Jacob’s shoulders sagged. “Your mother wouldn’t want this, Kyran.”
    “Maybe not, but she’s not here, so let’s move on.” His throat constricted with emotion. He hated thinking about his mother and despised recalling the tortured expression on her face as she took her last breath. He shouldn’t have had to watch her die. He’d been just a child.
    “I’m trying.” Jacob stood. “I’m going to find your brother and try to slap some sense into him.”
    “Can you come back? I need to talk with you about a client.”
    A small smile teased his father’s lips, and he straightened his tie again, saying before he left, “I can do that.”
    Kyran’s head still raced from having sex with Dale in the boardroom, and now his thoughts sprinted twice as fast from his interaction with his father.
    He needed the club.

    *******************

    Metro was Kyran’s sole outlet to vent his frustrations. He got what he needed there. He didn’t consider the ramifications of fighting. He just needed focus, and nothing made him sharper than the club.

    Kyran booked a fight.
    Messing with Dale had been a mistake, but one he couldn’t bring himself to regret. Kyran stayed clear of relationships, although he enjoyed the adrenaline rush of a one-night stand. He didn’t want the intimacy, because relationships led to nothing but pain and bereavement. He learned that at a very young age. But with Dale he’d wanted to do it again . . . and again.
    “You in pain, kid?”
    Kyran shook his head. He held his hand out, waiting for Sam to undo the bloody bandages across his knuckles.
    The fight