Page 59 of What I Like About You

“You and Kyle are the best team I’ve got, and I’m not going to break that up if I don’t have to.”

“So then why are we having this meeting?”

“We thought you deserved to know about the request from your father,” Grayson said. He paused for a moment, clearing his throat, like he was gearing up to say something important. “Dalton, you’ve become a member of the family. And I don’t just mean the Indigo Royal one. Drea and Leona have been running around this place since they were little girls. And we always imagined who they would grow up to be and invite into their lives. Watching how you, Cullen, and Kyle care for those two…well, we couldn’t have asked for better men.”

“Even though…” Dalton started, not sure how to quite finish that sentence.

“Yes, even though I lost my shit,” Vaughn interjected. “I do hope to live that down someday.”

“Not likely,” his brother told him, before turning back to Dalton. “I don’t have kids, but I’d like to think that if I had a son, he’d be a lot like you.”

“Seriously?” Dalton asked the older man. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. To hear Grayson say something like that knocked the wind right out of him. He looked up to these guys so much and had no idea that the feeling was mutual.

“Seriously.”

“We’re not trying to overwhelm you here, Dalton. And I stand by what I told your father three years ago. The Quinlans will not involve themselves in Sutherland family politics. Frankly, he should just be glad I didn’t press charges against your sister for trespassing.”

“I still think you should have. Bitch deserved it.”

“Regardless, it’s your choice. If you want to accept this new role in Atlanta, then we’ll support you in that. If you want to stay here, well, that will certainly make our lives a lot easier. But either way, you’ll always have a place at the Indigo Royal.”

“Thanks,” he replied. It was the only thing he could think to say, and truth be told, even if he had more he’d wanted to say, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to get the words out. Vaughn and Grayson had dropped a serious amount of information on him in one conversation, and now his head was starting to spin.

“If you want to take the day to think and sort it all out, I’ll run the tour with Kyle this afternoon,” Grayson suggested.

“Thank you, but I have no intention of accepting my father’s offer. I have no interest in working for him.”

“Well, if you ever change your mind, I meant what I said,” Vaughn told him. “We will support your choice.”

“Thank you. Although,” Dalton said, his brain finally starting to catch up, “does the day off still stand? Because if so, there’s something else I’d like to do.”

“Something? Or someone?” Grayson asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Something…for someone…”

“So the rumors are true? There is a girl who finally got her claws in you?”

“To be fair, Gray, she’s had her claws in me for a long, long time. I’m just now removing my head from my ass.”

“Oh, well I know a thing or two about that,” Vaughn said, laughing. “It only took me twenty-one years to marry Simone. So, you’re already ahead of the game there.”

Dalton laughed, happy to know these guys were on his side.

“What can we do to help?” Grayson inquired.

“Well…”