Leander

Tyson Fielding is a good man and an even better head on his shoulders. He treats Mom with the respect she deserves and doesn't make it seem like she has to earn it. It was there, day one, no questions asked.

Of course, I ran a thorough background check on him when I was ten because I could and because I had access to it. And since I've kept a watchful eye on him because Mom doesn't deserve to be burned again. She deserves to be happy.

Tyson Fielding does business with the Howard Holdings Company, not because he has to, but because he wants to. He knew exactly what he was getting into when Mom married him and what investing in Howard means. Rae treats him with the respect he deserves because he's earned it. He doesn't expect it to be handed out freely just because of the familial ties to me.

I appreciate his keen interest in security. In fact, his company, Fielding & Co., is listed as number three in my phone. Fielding & Co. has provided security to Howard and, therefore, to the Spencer family, not because he has to, but because he wants to. He's helped with the larger-scale events and provides additional security at the office. 

This, of course, just pissed Sebastian off even more. Anything to make him angry, I'm all for.

Riding up the elevator to their apartment, I feel at peace. Anytime I can see Mom is a great day, and seeing those amazing daughters of theirs is just icing on the cake. Elsie and Amelie. They're fourteen and sixteen respectively. 

The cherry on top? They think the world of Rae.

But then again, who doesn't?

When the elevator reaches the floor, it opens I'm quickly bombarded by Elsie and Amelie. I'm proud to be their big brother, even if they aren't mine by blood. They are blood enough because they are Mom's and that's all I need. I'd protect them without hesitation.

"Mom says you punched Sebastian," Amelie says, looking up at me. "Good for you."

As far as teenagers went, these two aren't selfish and stuck-up snobs. They have good heads on their shoulders, and that's definitely all Mom's doing. She raised them after Tyson's wife deserted him after Elsie's birth. Mom has taught them to be humble and selfless, which I always thought was important when growing up with money. Mom did that for us, and I',m glad she did the same for them.

I chuckle and look at Mom, who's approaching us. "Mom only approves of violence if it's against Sebastian, but I can promise you that you'll never have to see that man ever."

"Oh, they know," Mom replies.

"But since we're on the subject," I say, wrapping an arm around each of them. "Tyson's men did a shitty job of keeping Sebastian out of the office. Sounds like a rotation and firing are in order."

Mom sighs and presses her lips together. "He's already on it, son," she assures me. "Girls, go ahead and grab some pizza. I need to look at Leander's hand."

They both disappear to the kitchen, and Mom extends her hand for me. Sighing, I put my hand in hers and look up at her. "He deserved more than being punched. Butch took him to the hospital because he tried to lunge at me and smacked his head against the divider, probably giving himself a concussion."

She gently runs her fingers over my hand, and I grimace when she touches my middle finger knuckles. "Well, the jackass deserved that for being stupid and careless," she mumbles. "One of these days, he'll regret everything he's ever done."

"Too bad it hasn't happened yet," I grumble.

She lets my hand go and wraps an arm around my waist. "Let's get you bandaged up," she says, guiding me toward the kitchen. "You can still flex your hand, right?"

I nod. "Probably just need to ice it and get it wrapped up," I replied. "I've done worse to my hand."

"God, do I ever know that," she chuckles. "I'm still mad that you punched the concrete wall at the house in the Hamptons three years ago. That was a bitch to take care of."

I feel my nostrils flare at the reminder. "Louis was being a jackass, Mom," I reply, looking at her. "He's lucky it was the concrete wall and not his face. That would have been a bigger bitch to take care of."

"Still shouldn't have done it," she decides, looking up at me.

"Well, we get along now," I reply. "We have to. He's Fay's Murphy. Also, I don't see him very often because he's always down about twenty floors on the legal level with her. Apparently, the law now intrigues him. I guess she's been teaching him."

"Well, good for her," she replies, letting me go. She moves toward the opposite end of the counter from the girls. She begins going through her medical bag and pats the space to her right for me to sit. "Louis needs the drive to do something good with himself on top of keeping her safe. Learning a little bit about law never hurt anybody."

I grab a plate and stick a piece of pizza on it before taking a seat where she's requested. "What are you going to do with your life, girls?" I ask, looking over at them. "And before you say something I'm going to hate, please don't say working for Rae, unless it's working for Howard and not Spencer." The last thing I want is for either of them to get caught in the life they didn't deserve.

"Amelie wants to be a doctor," Mom smiles. "Isn't that right, sweetheart?"

"What Mom does is interesting," she replies. "I want to be able to help people."

"Like bandage me up when I punch Sebastian in the face?" I chuckle.

"Like bandage you up when you punch Sebastian in the face," she agrees.

"And what about you, Elsie?" I ask before taking a bite of pizza. I had considered this for dinner. I'd have to go for something healthier now. I always allow for one cheat meal a day. It's not like I couldn't work it off.

"Cybersecurity," she replies. "I want to work for Dad in that division."

"Cybersecurity is something I can get behind if you want to work for Rae in either capacity," I say, looking at her. "We deal with sensitive information that is locked up tighter than Fort Knox. Plus, I know you'd be safe if you did that. I'd make sure of it."

"I'll consider it," she smiles.

Mom dabs at the open wounds with some warm, soapy water. "I'll have to give it to you, son. This isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Where did you punch him?"

I took another bite and grin. "His cheekbone area. I wanted it to affect not only his nose, but his eye, too," I replied.

"Smart," she mumbles in response. She dries the area and puts some gauze on it. "How are you going to explain this to Rae?" she asks.

I shrug and finish my pizza off. "I don't know," I replied. "I'll just have to see where the conversation goes. Maybe I can hide it from her for a while."

"You can't hide this forever," she says, looking me in the eye. "Besides, she'll want to know who you punched."

"I'll tell her when I need to tell her," I conclude.

"By the way, what's she think you're doing?"

I want to sigh. We've talked about this already. Mom must be under more stress than I realize, and knowing that makes my heart heavy. I need to make sure Tyson takes her out on a nice date soon, or maybe they could go on vacation. Lord knows they need it.

I look down at the girls and lean in closer to her. "She thinks I'm getting hanky panky with Melissa," I mumble. It's more than I told her earlier.

She presses down hard on the bloody knuckle, and I grimace. "I hate that you do this to yourself," she sighs. "Why?"

That's a good question. Fuck buddies are overrated and I'd just want to fuck Rae anyway. But yeah, I don't know why the fuck I do this to myself.

"Fuck the goddamn rules that Walter put into place. You know he only did that because of Thatcher," she adds, wrapping my hand now. "He didn't approve of Adelaide. Never did. And as far as I'm concerned, I'm glad that Thatcher married Adelaide. I love those girls. Fuck Sebastian for his misogynistic views. Rae's in charge, not him. Enjoy Rae while you can. Stop letting her fall through your fingers."

I sigh. I hate when Mom is right.

"Consider it," she adds, looking at me. "Please. You need it. She needs it. Stop avoiding it."

I press my lips together and exhale a shaky breath. "I'll consider it," I answer. But that is easier said than done.