Cheers To Comeuppance
Chapter 45

Third Person

As Annika and Leon went up to the penthouse floor in the elevator, they could both feel the immense s****l tension from the aftermath of what they did in the car just a few moments ago. It was no secret that they were sexually compatible, even though Annika was much less experienced in the subject than Leon.

The elevator ride seemed to take forever, and the nerves of having to meet her family were starting to get to Leon. The only he ever had to meet the parents was when he was getting ready to marry Sadie. Even then, he met the Galloways at the wedding itself, never before. So, at the moment, meeting Annika’s family is going to be a very new experience for Leon, and he didn’t know whether to be nervous, scared, excited or all of the above.

When the final ding sounded and the doors opened, Leon was surprised to see a set of double doors. Before Annika could even fish out her key to open them, the right side flew open, and Micky stood with a smile as bright as the sun on her face.

“Oh my god, you must be Leon!” Micky exclaimed at the top of her lungs and gave him a bone-crushing hug. It was a sight because Micky was just as short as Annika. She was maybe taller by an inch or an inch and a half. So, seeing Micky hug Leon on her tippy toes was hilarious to Annika. Leon’s arms were crushed to his side, and he looked helplessly toward Annika. Leon hated to be touched by people he didn’t know. Shaking one’s hand at the time of an initial introduction was one thing, but being hugged was another.

“Micky, you can let him go now,” Annika stated while clearing her throat to keep herself from laughing at Leon’s defenseless face.

“Kill joy,” Micky muttered as he let Leon go. “Come on, everyone is waiting,” she continued and grabbed ahold of Annika’s and Leon’s hands and dragged them inside. “THEY’RE HERE!!!” Micky screamed. Her voice carried itself to the vaulted ceiling of the penthouse. Leon glanced at Annika, not knowing what to do or think about Micky.

“Micky, can you not make such a huge deal about this?” Annika questioned in annoyance.

“Shush!” Micky pointed at Annika. “MAMA! DADDY!”

“Micky, shut the f**k up, will you!” Royce grumbled as he came down the stairs. When he caught sight of Leon next to his sisters, he stopped mid-step and stared at Leon.

“Grumpy as always, I see,” Annika sneered at her brother. Royce glared at her and made his way down the final steps of the staircase. He walked straight up to Leon and measured him with his eyes. “Leon, this is my older brother, Royce. Royce, this is my boyfriend, Leon.” Neither man said anything and kept sizing each other up. Regarding height, they were pretty much equal; however, no one could deny that Leon was definitely bigger in terms of actual size.

Annika and Micky moved their eyes back and forth between Leon and Royce while a palpable silence filled the foyer. All of a sudden, a smirk appeared on Royce’s face. He nodded his head and walked away.

“What the hell was that about?” Micky questioned.

“I don’t know,” Annika replied.

“Mutual understanding between two alpha males,” was all Leon said.

“Mr. Von Doren,” Huxley’s voice sounded from the stairs. Everyone’s heads snapped in his direction as he made his way down. He walked straight up to Leon and thrust his hand out. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Huxley Silverton.”

“The pleasure is mine, Director Silverton. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Leon responded cordially and thrust his hand forward. They shared a firm and respectful handshake without any other words.

“Mr. Von Doren, my name is Matthaeus,” another voice could be heard. “I’m McKenna’s husband. I’m also part of Anni’s legal team. It’s an honor to make your acquaintance.”

“Counselor Angel, the honor is all mine.”

“Huxy, where’s mom and dad?” Annika asked, seeing that her parents weren’t anywhere to be seen.

“Pops is still sulking, so Mama is trying to cheer him up.”

“Sulking over what?”

“You and him,” Huxley answered while eyeing his baby sister and Leon.

“What?”

“Baby Bear, come on, you can’t blame Pops for being upset. You’re barely separated from that douchebag, and you’re already in another relationship. He’s just worried.”

“Actually, if we’re being technical, I separated from Jeff months ago.”

“Director Silverton…”

“Please, call me Huxley.”

“Huxley. Please inform your parents that they have nothing to worry about. I would never hurt Annika the way Hollands did. I’m a hardass when it comes to business, but I have morals and respect for women. I’m sure all of you are already aware that Sadie Galloway is my ex-wife. She cheated on me with Hollands. So, rest assured when I say that I will never cheat on Annika.”

“Can you promise not to break up with her?” Huxley asked without skipping a beat.

“I can’t make that promise,” Leon said without changing his expression. Annika gazed up at him in surprise.

“Why not?” Micky asked with a hint of dissatisfaction.

“I can’t make that promise, but I don’t know the future. I care about the Doc. I can definitively say that I love her. What’s not to love about her? But neither one of us can guarantee that our relationship will be perfect. If anything, it will be completely un-perfect. There’s going to be much work that needs to be put in between the two of us. You should know the amount of work it takes to make a marriage work with the kind of work we do. We’re both CEO of our own companies. A part of us is married to our work, which will get in the way of our personal relationships. Not just with our spouses but with our kids as well. All I can say is that I want to work hard to be there for the Doc, but for all I know, it may not be enough for her. Or, her hard work may not be enough for me. There’s going to have to be a compromise. I’m a CEO. She’s a doctor. I travel a lot for work. She has to go to the hospital for her patients at all hours of the day and night. So, I can’t make any promises and say I won’t leave her. Just like she can’t say she won’t leave me. If anything, there’s a higher possibility of her leaving him anyways.” Everyone chuckled at that. Everyone except for Annika, that is. She just scowled at Leon. “I can promise, though, that I will do my best to ensure she is always happy for the time we are together. Whether for a few months, a few years, or all eternity.” When Leon finished speaking, the room was silent once again.

The men in the room were trying to decipher if he was full of s**t or if he got his speech from a giant fortune cookie. On the other hand, Micky and Annika were swooning over his words. Leon was both blunt and romantic. He didn’t sugarcoat anything that earned him Micky’s vote.

“Damn, I have to admit, that was a good answer,” Matthaeus finally admitted.

“Shiiiitt, where did you learn to be such a smooth talker?” Royce asked from the sectional.

“Mr. Von Doren…”

“Leon.”

“Leon. You’ve earned my respect, as well as my blessing. Please take care of my baby sister,” Huxley shook Leon’s hand again. Annika’s eyes widened as her jaw dropped.

“I plan to,” Leon responded as he put his arm around Annika’s shoulders and received Huxley’s hand respectfully.

“Your blessing doesn’t count!” a stern voice was heard from upstairs. All heads snapped upwards again, and they saw Beau and Madalena making their way down. Everyone was suddenly on pins and needles as Beau made his over to Leon. Madalena went to Annika and pulled her away so that Beau could judge Leon without her disruption. “So, you’re the boy who is trying to win my daughter’s heart? What makes you think I’ll even give you my permission?”

“Sir, as I stated before, I’m not a boy. I’m a grown-a*s man. And with all due respect, I’ve already won her heart, and I’m not here to ask for your permission. The Doc is a grown woman who can make decisions for herself. I understand that you’re coming from a place of protection, being her father and all, and given everything she’s recently been through; however, that doesn’t give you the right to disrespect me. You can size me up and attempt to intimidate me; however, I shall warn you that I don’t get intimidated. Let me kindly remind you, Mr. Silverton, that you are in my territory now. You may run the show in Rhode Island, but I own this city. I’ll give you the respect you deserve because you’re Anni’s father; however, whether that respect grows or dissipates will depend on your actions toward me as an individual.” Beau glared at Leon’s resolve grimly while everyone else held their breaths.

Beau Silverton was mighty, and no one ever had the gal to speak to him like Leon. Though Leon’s words were said respectfully, their underlying meaning was that he wasn’t afraid of Beau whatsoever. Though that’s what he had said, the truth was that Leon was shaking inside. He secretly prayed that he didn’t ruin his chances of being with Annika. Leon took a significant leap of faith, saying what he did to Beau. Leon didn’t speak father or even husband well, but he did talk about business fluently, and he knew that Beau did as well. In the back of his mind, the best way to reach Beau was to use their language.

As the deafening silence surrounded the room, Beau’s hardened expression finally relaxed, and he let out a heartfelt laugh at the top of his lungs. His sudden laughter caught everyone else off guard except for Leon. Leon knew that this meant Beau accepted him.

“I have to say; they’re big, son!” Beau’s hearty voice resounded.

“What are?”

“Your balls! You got some big brass balls! I have to hand it to you; no one in their right mind would ever speak to me that way. But how you handled yourself just now shows me that you’re an honest man and don’t take s**t from anyone.”

“No, sir, I don’t. Even if it’s my girlfriend’s parents.”

“Mr. Von Doren, you seem like a righteous man. I’m eager to see if you can keep your promise.”

“Promise?”

“To make my daughter for as long as you are together.”

“Of course, sir.” The tension in the room finally lifted, and Annika released the breath she had been holding. Seeing her father approve of Leon so quickly persuaded her that Leon was her Mr. Right.

As Leon and Beau shook hands sincerely, Leon and Annika met each other’s gaze and smiled at one another. Annika felt like a teenager that had just fallen in love, only this time, it was different than it was with Jeff. Annika was herself, and her family approved. There was no lying, no deception, and no manipulation. This was as real as real could get, and she couldn’t be more satisfied with the outcome.

“Well, since we’re all in agreement, how about we all go out for lunch!” Madalena suggested.

“Huh? I thought you were going to cook, Mama?” Royce said.

“Nonsense. This is a major thing that just happened. Home cooking can wait. Today, we’re going to celebrate Baby Bear and Leon,” she replied, waving her hand in dismissal.

“What is everyone in the mood for?” Annika asked her family.

“I’m open for whatever,” Micky replied.

“I’m good with anything, too,” Huxley answered.

“Protein!” Matthaeus and Royce said in unison.

“How about I call over to Rainhas Churrascaria?” Leon suggested.

“What’s that?” Beau asked.

“It’s an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse. It’s up there with Texas De Brazil and Fogo De Chao. I know the owner, and I can get us all in with just a phone call.”

“I’m game!” Royce exclaimed excitedly. Everyone else nodded with pleasure. Leon fished out his phone to make the reservations.

“Baby, call Hunter and Doc Malloy, and see if they want to join us.”

“Good idea!” Annika beamed. She immediately called Kenzi and extended the invitation. Because it was the weekend, Kenzi and Hunter were both at home resting, so they were more than delighted to join the Silverton family. Kenzi squealed when she heard that Annika’s family approved of Leon.

About an hour later, the Malloy couple arrived at the penthouse. Leon called Toby for a car service, and not too long after, they all exited the penthouse building. While everyone was excitedly chatting and mingling while waiting for Toby to arrive with the limousine, Royce casually looked around and spotted Jeffrey half a block away. He stealthily nudged Hunter to get his attention. Hunter turned his eyes to Royce, who nodded in the direction of Jeffrey’s car.

Hunter’s eyes followed Royce’s, and soon enough, he also caught a glimpse of Jeff. Hunter inwardly rolled his eyes at Jeff and his lack of self-control. Hunter quickly called a friend who worked at traffic control to get stills of the intersection where Jeffrey was sitting. Within minutes, Hunter had what he needed and forwarded it to Detective Corey to inform him that Jeff was violating his house arrest. Although Hunter and the Silverton family already knew Jeff was somehow circumventing his ankle monitor, they had left him alone, thinking that he would stop after a couple of days. But since that didn’t seem likely, Hunter decided to turn Jeff in.

Jeff was steaming in his car with jealousy as he watched his wife, in-laws, and best friends mingle with this rival. He caught the moment that Annika wrapped her arms around Leon’s waist and leaned into him. Leon bent his down and kissed the top of Annika’s head in response. What Jeff couldn’t stand the most was that Annika’s family didn’t care one bit.

When Jeff was under the impression that Annika only had her grandmother and aunt, they never once allowed PDA to be shown in front of them. He knew Annika’s “family” disapproved of him, so he respected their wishes. But even after seven years of marriage, he was never allowed to be intimate with Annika in front of them. However, seeing Leon and Annika smitten with each other with her actual family right in front of them made his b***d boil. What did Leon have that he didn’t? Why was Leon able to meet Annika’s actual family, but he was lied to from day one as a teen? Why did Annika seem to be so happy while he was so miserable?

He shook off his inner turmoil and snapped as many pictures as possible. He wasn’t sure how he would use what he had in court, but he would never allow Annika and Leon to be together. Not if he had anything to say about it.

Jeffrey watched from afar as a limousine pulled up to the Silverton family members, and they all got in one by one. Jeffrey put his camera down and was prepared to follow them; unfortunately, multiple patrol cars pulled up and blocked him as soon as he pulled out of his hiding spot. Jeffrey was stunned.

From one of the patrol cars, Detective Corey exited and walked right up to Jeffrey’s car. He tapped on the window. Jeffrey hesitated to roll it down but eventually did so.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Hollands,” Corey teased. “I’m confused. How are you here if your monitor says that you’re at the hotel?” he asked while pulling out his tablet and turned it around to show the blinking red dot to Jeffrey. “Mr. Hollands, I think you need to come with me. You have some explaining to do.”