Jake’s made a name for himself as one of the most ruthless corporate lawyers in the city, though he hides it behind an easy smile and relaxed demeanor.There’s a grin playing at the corners of his mouth even now that immediately puts me on edge.
“How’s the investigation going?”Ethan asks without preamble.
“Well, I’ve been assigned to the Serastra project, which you already know, so…”
“So?”Ethan gives me an expectant look.“I need an update.”
“That’s the only update I have,” I throw myself into his visitor’s chair, stretching my legs and getting comfortable.“These things take time.You know that.”
“There’s a lot riding on this project, Caleb.”Ethan gives me a stern look.
I roll my eyes.“Relax, Ethan.I’m handling it.”
“Don’t be ungrateful, Caleb.Six months ago, Ethan would have been shouting all this at you.At least he’s asking nicely,” Jake laughs.
I study Ethan.“True.Natalie has really domesticated you, hasn’t she?You’re all bark and no bite now.”
“He’s got bite, but no teeth.”Jakes laughs at his own joke while Ethan looks between the two of us.
“If I were you, I’d be less concerned with your little clown routine and more concerned about the CCTV footage from the New Years party you two threw at Mom and Dad’s place,” Ethan says calmly.
My eyes narrow.“What footage?”
“The one where you took out Dad’s limited edition from the garage for a joyride and then crashed it into the garage door.”Ethan has a cool smile on his face as he watches the two of us.
Jake and I immediately stop snickering.
“You wouldn’t,” I glare at him.“I wiped the cameras.How did you get?—?”
“I have my ways.”My older brother just studies me.“What were you saying about me being domesticated again?”
“Me?”I blink innocently, knowing when I have been beaten.“Did I say domesticated?I meant more business-savvy.Right Jake?”
“That’s what I heard.”Jake grins.“Now about that footage you’re talking about.”
“I’m not deleting it,” Ethan says nonchalantly.“I’m sure I’ll need it in the future.”
“You can’t do that!”I scowl before looking at Jake.“That’s illegal.You’re the lawyer!Do something!”
Jake shrugs.“He’s got more dirt on me than what's on that video.Leave me out of it.”
I glare at Ethan, knowing that if Dad gets a hold of that footage, he’ll kill me.Then a thought occurs to me, and I begin to smile.“Fine.I’ll just ask Natalie to help me.She likes me.”
“Leave my fiancée out of this,” Ethan snaps.
“Why?”I say mockingly.“She’s the only one who can control you.”
Ethan’s eyes narrow.“Never mind.Stop wasting time.I need to show you something.”
He taps his screen, and I walk around his desk. He seems to have a video paused.On closer inspection, I realize it’s the hallway on the seventh floor.I glance at Ethan, and he hits play.
The timestamp is ten at night.A member of the janitorial staff wheels in his cart.His face is covered with a ball cap.He leaves the cart in the hallway and goes inside the office I share with Eve and the others.Time moves along, but he doesn’t come out.Then an hour later, he emerges, pocketing something, and walking down the hallway to the emergency exit that leads to the stairs.
The cart remains untouched.
I frown at the scene.“When was this?”
“Wednesday night,” Ethan replies grimly.“Someone from the security office flagged the video, and I just heard about it this morning.”
