Whether due to abandonment, lies, fists, betrayal...death.
Love always ended in pain.
No attachments. No love. No hurt.
So no, he’d keep his office here on the eighth floor and his brothers at a careful distance. It would be better for them in the long run. And definitely better for him.
“As I’ve repeatedly told you and Kenan, it’s not the basement,” he said, shifting his attention from Cain, who had dropped into the visitor’s chair, and back to his monitor.
“Did I hear my name being taken in vain?” His younger brother appeared in the doorway, carefree grin in place. “Or were you saying it in total adoration? I get that a lot.”
Cain snorted. “This office is already cramped. We damn sure don’t have enough room in here for us and your ego.”
“I told you we should’ve had this meeting in the broom closet down the hall. It’s more spacious.” Kenan shrugged, claiming the other chair next to Cain.
“Are you two finished?” Achilles snapped. “If you feel so claustrophobic, there are perfectly good phones in your offices, and you could’ve used them to call me.”
“What would’ve been the fun in that?” Kenan asked. “Besides, I love the smell of fresh asbestos in the morning.”
Achilles growled, and Kenan laughed, holding up his hands, palms out.
“Fine, fine. I’m done. Cain, can we get on with this before he forgets that I’m his brother?”
As if he could. Achilles curled his fingers into his palm to prevent himself from rubbing at the pang in his chest Kenan’s words generated.
“Here, Achilles.” Cain leaned forward and slid a manila folder onto the desk. “I emailed you a copy of this, but here’s a hard copy, too. Don’t say it.” He turned and jabbed a finger at Kenan, then pointed the same one at Achilles. “I know, I know. And so what? I still like to have things in my hands. Sue me.”
And in the hands of others, too, but okay, he’d keep his mouth shut. That was an argument for another day.
“Anyway, we’re looking at acquiring a software company out of San Francisco. Just from what we’re seeing and hearing, they’re really turning the software-as-a-service industry on its head with their backup technology. They’re making on-premises backups obsolete with their third-party backup software app on the cloud. There haven’t been security issues and it cuts costs. I’m sure there are variables we haven’t uncovered, and that’s where you come in. And before we invest one hundred and fifty million dollars, we need to make sure it’s sound. And that we’re going to make a profit, of course. Can you look it over and give us your opinion on not just the software but the company?”
Achilles blinked. Cain had requested his presence in meetings, but he’d felt like a figurehead. He hadn’t offered his opinions, and he hadn’t been asked for them. Here, in the IT department, he was at least useful, able to answer calls, offer help and fix problems, even install software when needed because he wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
But this...
He glanced away from Cain for a moment, unable to maintain eye contact with the same penetrating gaze he met in the mirror every morning. His brother, who’d suffered through too much at the abusive hands of their father, saw too much. Cain, accepted heir of Farrell and renowned businessman, wouldn’t lay the fate of millions of dollars in Achilles’s hands if he didn’t trust him. And Achilles feared Cain would glimpse how much this show of trust, of faith, meant to him.
Because it did.
There went those bonds. Tightening. And he fought them like a man drowning, even as an image of his passion project—his video game—popped in his mind. As did the inane urge to tell his brothers about it. The longing shoved at his rib cage, growing in pressure. He needed to share it with the two people who just might be those closest to him. Who might understand him if he just opened up and let them in...
Love always ended in pain.
No attachments. No love. No hurt.
The reminder whispered through his head, echoed in his heart. And it was sharp, leaving an ache behind.
“Yes, I’ll do it.” Achilles picked the folder up. “When do you need the info back?”
“Next Monday work?” Cain asked.
That gave him a week, which would be more than enough time. “That’s fine.”
“Good.” Cain stood, sliding his hands into the front pockets of his gray tailored pants. “Also, just wanted to give you a heads-up. Devon’s going to be calling you. She’s starting a computer class at the community center since a new donor anonymously donated PCs.”
Kenan coughed.
“Shut up, you,” Cain snapped. “Anyway, I didn’t want you to be ambushed.” He paused. “But you should know, my fiancée has a soft heart. And even if you decide to tell her no, let her down gently or I’ll steal those Dr. Who collectibles in your desk drawer that you think we don’t know about and sell them online for a penny.”
