“He’s traveling. Something about Greece.”
“But that’s not what the conversation was about.”
“No, it wasn’t. He’s such a bastard. I knew I shouldn’t have called him.” I sat on the edge of the desk, running my hand over my face.
“Wait. You called him?” Interest piqued, she sat forward in the chair. “Why would you do that?”
“I needed information.”
“On?” Damn, she was too smart and persistent.
“Carl Bradman.”
“Why?”
“Let it go, Liv.” I walked around my desk, removing my phone from my pocket and dropping it on the desk, unsure of what else to do with my hands. I was a frenzy of nervous energy.
“What are you up to, little brother?”
“Nothing.”
She let out a loud laugh. “Don’t give me that. You’re up to something. Talk.”
“I need information on Bradman to take him down.”
Her eyes lit, understanding crossing them. “This is about Tori. Did he do something to her?”
“I can’t say. There’s an NDA.”
“That tells me enough.”
“Let it go and get back to work.”
She leaned back in the chair, folding her hands. “No. Does Tori know you’re scheming to take Bradman down? As much as I love a good takeover, Bradman’s not one to go after.”
“I’ve got it handled.”
“Without telling her?”
“She doesn’t need to know.”
And I didn’t want her to know. She needed to be out of anything unscrupulous I did. Besides, this was my revenge for what he had done to her. She didn’t need to be involved.
Liv’s laughter was even more annoying this time. “I was all for keeping secrets when we were going after Dad. That was necessary, but this?” She stood, putting her hands on her hips. “You’ll lose her again if you do this.”
A vise constricted the blood flow to my chest, and I stared at her, speechless.
“She forgave you the first time, but you lie to her again and she’ll leave, Gabe.” She moved closer to me, her eyes concerned and unusually soft. “You have a second chance. Don’t screw it up for some vendetta.” She picked my phone up and handed it to me. “If you really want Bradman, tell her what you’re planning. Let her be a part of it.”
I tilted my head, trying to figure her out. “Why are you being so nice?”
“You have a chance for something some of us will never have. I don’t want you to blow it. She’s too perfect for you, and there’s that whole nephew thing.” She waved her hand like she was untangling cobwebs from it.
“It’s a good thing you never had kids, Liv. I don’t think you’d ever survive.”
“Let’s not find out. No leaving me on babysitter duty again.” She gave me a wink and shoved the phone toward me. “Call her in. Tell her what you’re thinking.”
“I’m not thinking anything now because Dad wouldn’t give me the information.”
