Aiden and Maddox sat in their usual spots, both relaxed and smiling. Bentley walked in, and everyone sat up straighter. He had a presence about him that made you want to pay attention. Sandy followed him, sitting beside Aiden, ready to take notes or aid him in any way needed. He remained standing and set down his coffee, his gaze sweeping the room. Aiden and Maddox stood, joining him at the head of the table.
“Ridge Towers began as a different vision, and we went through a tremendous amount of difficulty, both personally and professionally, to get to this stage.” Bentley paused, clearing his throat. I knew more than anyone what the project had cost him.
“This past weekend was considered a success by some. To us—Aiden, Maddox, and me—it was more than a success. It was a triumph. Each of you in this room helped to make that happen. And for that, we owe you a tremendous thank you.”
He began to clap, Maddox and Aiden joining in. Richard rose to his feet, adding to the noise, and soon the entire room rang out with enthusiastic applause.
When we settled, and Bentley sat, he grinned. “Sales are through the roof—pardon the pun—and we’re ahead of schedule. Thanks to the brilliance of Richard and Becca and their campaign, Ridge Towers, phase one, should be sold out within weeks.” He indicated Richard. “We are thrilled to have joined forces with The Gavin Group and look forward to a long relationship.”
Richard smiled. “We’re equally as elated with the success and the partnership. If I could, I wanted to add that Becca and I were impressed by the teamwork we saw this past while. We have never worked on a campaign that was handled with so much finesse.”
I was startled when his hand fell on my shoulder heavily. “Your technical people, Reid especially, are, without a doubt, the best I have ever worked with. Everything he promised, he delivered—and more. Not one person saw an error or glitch. If there were any, your people were on it so fast, it was as if it didn’t happen. You should be very proud of your team.”
There was another round of applause, the loudest coming from my three bosses. My ears burned at Richard’s words and the clapping. I hated to be the center of attention.
Becca’s hand slipped into mine under the table, giving it a quick squeeze. Before she could pull back, I grabbed her hand, holding it tight to my leg, needing her touch.
Bentley spoke more about the project and the future. Aiden and Maddox each had something to say, then Bentley stood for a final address to the table as a whole. “I know you’ve all put in long hours. See Sandy today, and she will assign you paid time off as a thank you. You can choose your days to make long weekends and enjoy some time with your family and friends. Lunch today is being catered and is for everyone as another thank you.”
Everyone dispersed, and the good mood lingered. Regretfully, I released Becca’s hand and walked to my office. I hadn’t even sat down when Maddox and Aiden came in. I tensed when Bentley followed, shutting my door. It was rare Bentley joined them, so I knew something was up. Maddox and Aiden sat in the chairs, but Bentley remained standing. It was his way of controlling the room.
I waited for them to speak, unsure what was happening.
Bentley met my curious gaze. “First off, you did an outstanding job. What Richard said was correct. I have never seen anything so smooth in my life.”
“Good,” I responded. “That was my goal.”
“He tells me the report you created gave him information it would have taken him hours to collect. He is beyond impressed.”
“Great.”
“As part of our partnership, I’m going to let him have access to that report to use. License it to him and The Gavin Group.”
“Okay, I’ll make the arrangements.”
He reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew an envelope, sliding it toward me. “This is for you, with our thanks.”
I didn’t touch it.
He pushed it farther. “You earned it, Reid. It’s yours.”
I picked it up, feeling the weight of the heavy stationery. The envelope was thick, my name written in black in Bentley’s neat cursive on the front.
I met their gazes steadily. “Thank you. I didn’t expect anything. I was only doing my job.”
Aiden snorted. “Reid, you go above and beyond your job daily. We’re all aware of what you do around here. You deserve it and more.”
Something prickled at my eyes, and I blinked to clear them. “Thanks,” I mumbled again.
Maddox chuckled. “Okay, we’ll leave it there. We have one more thing to discuss with you.”
I slid the envelope into my desk drawer. I would look at it later in private. Grabbing a pen, I pulled my notebook close. “Okay, what do you need me to do?”
“You won’t need notes,” Maddox assured me. “I spoke with Bentley and Bill in the legal department about your passport.”
“Oh.” My embarrassment reappeared, my ears burning with heat.
He tapped the desk. “You’re coming to the wedding, Reid. You can apply for a passport, and you should be able to get one. There are no travel restrictions where we’re going, if you have a record. Bill is going to work with you on it, and he’ll also help you apply to clear your criminal record.”
Bentley spoke up. “I’m surprised you haven’t done that. Your lawyer should have advised you.”
I snorted. “I had a string of public defenders, Bentley. I never had a lawyer who cared.”
“You didn’t check into it?”
I tossed my glasses onto the desk and scrubbed my face. “To be honest, no. When I got out of jail, I just tried to survive. I did everything I was supposed to do. I stayed within the law. I followed my probation to the letter. When that ended, all I wanted was to move away from it.” I met Bentley’s gaze. “I never thought about the future. Travel, a job . . . other things—all of it seemed unattainable.”
He shook his head. “It’s not, Reid. You have a job, a new life, and people who care. A future. You have proven yourself worthy of it to us.” He cocked his head, studying me. “When will you believe you’re worthy of it yourself?”
His words hit me, and I stared at him.
He leaned on the desk, his voice low. “We’re your family, and we take care of family. This company will help with your passport issue and stand behind you to get your record cleared. Whatever you need, we’re here for you.” He reached out and squeezed my shoulder. “Stop letting your past get in the way, Reid. Grab life and live it.”
I gaped at him, only able to nod in reply. Bentley rarely got personal. Aiden and Maddox were the ones I spoke to the most.
He straightened up and tugged on his sleeves. “Okay. I’ll leave you to figure it out. Bill has already started the paperwork. You need a picture and two guarantors. Any of us will sign for you.”
He strode from my office, leaving me with Maddox and Aiden.
I met Maddox’s gaze. “Thank you.”
He rose from the chair. “Bentley was right. We’re family. You helped me, and I’m returning the favor. That’s how we work here at BAM. We have one another’s backs.”
I extended my hand. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
He shook my hand, hard and fast, and winked. “Yeah, I think I do.” He left with a wave.