Ares bit the inside of his cheek because he wasn’t going to show that he was annoyed with his younger brother in front of their investment advisor.This meeting had already dragged on at the speed of paint drying and Xander wasn’t wrapping it up.He was so annoyed he wanted to reach across the sleek black desk and grab Xander by his high-collared shirt and shake him.
Ares stared cooly at his brother, ignoring the look their frustrated investment advisor, Rick Peters, gave him.Rick should know by now that Ares would always side with his brother.
Even if he’s being completely ridiculous.
It was his lot in life to be his brother’s protector, to be the one that always saved face no matter what, and to keep Xander’s secrets.
Most of the time, Ares accepted his role with good humour and grace.
But he was hungry.He had a meeting of his own to get to, and he was expecting a call from Chef McNabb.
Ares shuffled his folder, ignoring his buzzing phone.“If you had ever bothered to read the reports, you’d know that we do have a yacht.It was acquired four years ago.”
“You gotta be kidding me.”Xander’s expression changed from stoic to a grimace, and he leaned under his desk.
To adjust whatever Harper’s mouth was doing, no doubt.
Ares schooled his features and, with an effort, trampled down his irritation.He had other problems to solve and this was a waste of his time.
Problems that he didn’t want the legitimate side of the business to know about.
“Xander, we wouldn’t have gone ahead with the purchase unless you signed for it,” Rick explained, exasperation creeping in his tone.“The purchase was part of a real estate investment in Monaco.”
“The Bordel estate,” Ares said.
“Why couldn’t we buy the estate and not the yacht?I don’t want the yacht.”
God forbid Xander did something that made him seem like a billionaire.With his long black hair, his sleek black vest, and a high collar dress shirt, he looked like a grown-up goth kid playing a businessman.
Ares snickered because that’s exactly what his brother was.
“We wanted a place in Monaco.The yacht was part of the deal,” Ares said.He made eye contact with his brother and, as slightly as he could, he tapped his watch.
“Fine.Make it not part of the deal.Anything else?”
Rick started to gather his papers.“No, that’s all for today.”
“Thanks, Rick, I appreciate it.”Ares stood, extended his hand.Rick shook it.
Xander stood.The three men in the room ignored the muffled, “ouch.”that came from beneath the desk.
Xander brushed by Ares, gave him a smirk as he walked Rick out of the sleek executive office.
Ares closed the door behind them.
“You should tell him that you want to take the yacht for a spin before we get rid of it, love.”
“I don’t know if going on a yacht is on my bucket list, either,” Harper said, her auburn head popping up.
“I might want to take it out for a test drive.”
It’d be sweeter if he had someone to enjoy the yacht with.He reached for his phone, as the image of a petite woman with dark curly hair and glasses flashed through his mind.Every person he knew was currently in a happy, loving relationship.He was happy for them, but he wanted someone.Ironically, he wanted someone who didn’t care that his money could buy a yacht.
“Drustan Tennyson is next.”Harper came around the front of a desk and glanced at Xander’s tablet.
“What else is on the agenda today?”
“Xander has a meeting with Henri, and then the three of us are going out for dinner.You get the place to yourself tonight.”
