Page 108 of Crocodile Tears

“I didn’t want to be his servant. I didn’t want to beanyone’sservant.”

Tyler raised his club and took a swing at the ball. It curved elegantly into the distance, landing on the green a few yards from the hole.

“Good shot,” Alex said admiringly.

“It’s my own personal course, so I get a lot of practice,” Tyler replied dismissively.

“Your dad and I shared rooms and went out drinking together at Oxford. We were inseparable, so when he offered me an IS contract, well, I admit I was insulted. I thought we were friends, but he wanted me to serve him? I found that offensive.” His dark eyes flared with distaste.

“Some would have viewed it as an opportunity – a kindness. If you had no money, no job, and no place to live.” Alex placed his ball on the tee. “Lots of people are desperate to escape the Quarterlands and the government camps. For them, being an IS offers hope and opportunity.” He felt like he was parroting his father; he’d never given it much thought.

Tyler shrugged. “Well, I didn’t view it that way.”

“Why didn’t my father offer to take you on as an employee if you refused to become his IS?” Alex asked, eyeing up his shot.

“He did, eventually. You see, Noah believed it was our destiny to form the next great Lytton–Tyler collaboration and take the Lytton family firm to even greater heights. There was just one problem.”

Tyler stood behind Alex and placed his hands over his, showing him how to swing at the ball. Alex felt the firm contours of Tyler’s hard chest pressing against his back and the welcome warmth of his body on a cool day.

Tyler stepped back, and he took the shot, sending the ball choppily into the air. It landed in the rough, a short distance from the green.

“Not bad for a beginner.” Tyler patted his shoulder reassuringly.

“You said there was a problem?” Alex asked as they walked towards the green.

“Yes, there was – and it’s called ambition.” Tyler gave a rueful smile. “Your father and I both dreamed of achieving great things. The problem was, I wanted my own company, and Noah wanted me to work for his. Now, he’s your father, so I don’t want to put him down…”

Alex shrugged, feeling more than happy to hear negative stories about his father.

“He’s not a bad man, but I felt he was one of limited vision. In short, Alexander, I thought he’d hold me back. As you can see…” Tyler gestured at the luxurious expanse of his private island. “I was right. I wanted to make it on my own, and I have. Your father is bitter, but I paid back every penny your grandfather spent on my education, plus interest.”

“You own a rival AV company, though. I think that’s what stings,” Alex pointed out.

Tyler shook his head. “AVs are in my blood, but actually, Aquacruise is a small part of a much bigger operation. Tyler Tech is a global organisation, and I’m interested in many different technologies, not just ducks.”

“I know. You started out designing a range of mechanical moving parts that earned you enough cash to go on to bigger and better things, and you’re one of the leading investors in the new floating city technology,” Alex said as they reached his ball.

Tyler gave an appreciative grunt. “You’ve done your homework.”

“I wanted to know who I might be doing business with.”

The other man nodded approvingly. “Well, unlike your father, I don’t have all my eggs in one basket. My business is much bigger and more diversified. That’s why I have my own island and all the many good things I’ve earned, whereas he…” Tyler trailed off with a wince. “My apologies – but I hear Lytton AV isn’t doing so well these days.”

Alex shrugged. “Not as well as it could be doing if…” He bit back the rest of that sentence, feeling disloyal.

“If your father was a man of vision – as I am, and as, I suspect, you are, too.” Tyler shot Alex a shrewd look. “Solange tells me you’re a talented designer.”

“I am, but my father doesn’t see it.” Alex couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice. “I have all these ideas, but he’s holding me back. I’ve been prepared to work my way up, to start at the bottom, but he’s wasting me. He treats me like a child – he can’t see that I’ve grown up, and I’m ready to contribute. He doesn’t care how good my ideas are. He’s stuck in the past.”

He swung his club forcefully at the ball and it lurched clumsily into the air, landing with a plop on a sandbank.

Tyler gave him a sympathetic pat on the arm. “I’m not surprised. I never found your father to be open-minded – or a good businessman. Take his over-dependence on IS labour – I understand why your grandfather found it useful, straight after the Rising, to employ people in his factories instead of tech. Back then, supply lines were shot to pieces, nobody had the cash for investment in robot tech, and labour was both plentiful and cheap… but now?” He gave a wry chuckle.

“He thinks it’s his civic duty to employ humans over tech,” Alex sighed. “So he can provide jobs and save people from the Quarterlands.”

“Like I said, not a good businessman.” Tyler snorted. He shot him an assessing look. “When I look at you, I see myself when I was your age. You have vision and drive, and you’re not averse to taking a risk.”

They reached Tyler’s ball, and he glanced at Alex. “I bet you ten thousand quid that I can sink this fucker with one putt. You on?”

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