Chapter One
Landon
“You need a vacation,” Adam said.
I was pacing my corner office in the high-rise in San Jose, massaging my right temple. I could feel a headache forming.
“I know.”
“A real vacation. Not one that lasts forty-eight hours.”
I laughed because that was an accurate description of my vacations for the past few years. As my right hand, Adam knew all about it. But now I’d just finished negotiations for a partnership with another important player in the software industry. For the next few weeks, everyone would be focusing on paperwork and celebrating. I wasn’t needed for either, and I was exhausted. The months leading to this point had been intense.
“You’re right. Taking two weeks off wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Adam widened his eyes. “Are you serious?”
I paced the office some more, keeping to the window, which was my favorite place in the room. It was floor-to-ceiling, with a generous view of the city. I spent most of my time indoors, but through this window, I’d always felt less removed from the outside world, like I was part of the excitement going on outside.
“No. You’re right. The company won’t collapse if I take an extended leave.” Climbing to the top of the industry had required work. Staying there required even more work.
“Landon, two weeks isn’t extended. We have people who take a year-long leave of absence. Part of the generous benefits you’re offering, remember? But two weeks is a miracle for you.”
I finally stopped pacing, focusing on Adam instead. “Are you sure you can handle everything here?”
“Of course. That’s why you hired me. I’m your trusted right hand, best friend, and all-around do-gooder.”
I cocked a brow. “I can’t tell if you’re looking for a raise or just compliments.”
“Maybe both. Or maybe neither and I just want your sorry ass out of San Jose before you burn out. Where do you want to go? Bahamas? Bali? Mexico?”
I shook my head. I didn’t need any exotic destination. I knew exactly where I wanted to go: home. I’d grown up in LA, and my five siblings were still there. So was my nephew. It had been over four years since I’d spent more than two days in a row with them. Ever since my wife passed away, I’d focused on work.
“Nah, LA. I want to spend some time with my family.”
“That’s great. I can count on Val to throw your phone in the ocean if you overdo answering ‘urgent’ e-mails.” Adam nodded encouragingly, making air quotes around the word urgent.
“Don’t give her any ideas,” I warned. My twin sister Valentina had too many ideas as it was. I reached for my smartphone on the desk. “I’ll call her right now.”
Adam understood the dismissal and left the room. I dialed my sister’s number and she answered after the fifth ring.
“Congratulations,” she exclaimed before I even had a chance to open my mouth. “You just finalized negotiations, right? How are you celebrating?”
Only Val would remember the exact time I’d seal the deal. She was one of a kind.
“Yes, I did. And as for celebrating... I want to come home for two weeks.”
There was a pause, and I wondered if either of us had accidentally ended the call. Then Val exclaimed, “Wait, I think my ears might be deceiving me. Dearest brother of mine, did you actually say you’re coming home? For two weeks?”
I could hear the smile in her voice. “Yes, exactly.”
“On business?”
“No, I want to take time off.”
“Wow! Wow! To what do we owe this miracle? Actually, you know what? Don’t tell me. I don’t want to give you a chance to reconsider. When are you arriving?”
“I can get on a plane tomorrow.”
“Excellent. The sooner, the better. Oh, Milo is going to be so excited when I tell him. He talks about you nonstop.”
I smiled. Milo was our sister Lori’s six-year-old son. I talked to him every Saturday morning, but I couldn’t wait to spend some time in person with my nephew. The boy hero-worshipped me, and I did my best to live up to that, be a good influence, but it was hard to be any kind of influence from a distance.
“I’ll ask my assistant to buy me a ticket right away. Do you need something? Anything I should buy?”
“No. Well, a present for our dearest nephew would be nice.”
“I always bring him presents,” I reminded her, finally sitting behind my desk.
“What time will you arrive?”
“I’ll come to the office in the morning to finalize some things, but I’ll catch a flight early in the afternoon. I’ll make it in time for dinner.”
Friday dinners were a tradition in our clan, and my siblings got together every week no matter what.
“Perfect! We’ll all be here. Oh, Landon, this is so great. I can’t wait. It’s been so long since we’ve spent more than a few days together.”
I heard the change in her voice, the sudden softness.
“I can’t wait either, munchkin,” I said.
“Don’t call me that,” Val protested. That had been our father’s nickname for her. He used it when he wanted to tease her. It had always made her smile.
“Fair warning, you might have to put up with it for the next two weeks.”