I stop.
“The first event is on Thursday. Investor dinner at the Four Seasons. I’ll send you details.”
“Fine.”
“And you should probably tell Trevor about us working together, at minimum, before he hears it from someone else.”
I turn back slowly. “You want me to lie to my brother?”
“I want you to control the narrative. Tell him we’re dating. Tell him we work together. Let him process it on your terms instead of finding out from gossip.”
“He’s going to lose his mind.”
“Probably.”
“He’s going to interrogate you.”
“I can handle Trevor.”
“He threatened to kill anyone who hurt me. Multiple times. To your face.”
“I remember.”
“And you’re asking me to tell him we’re together.”
“I’m suggesting you tell him before someone else does. The choice is yours.”
“When you’re ready,” he adds quietly. “No pressure. But sooner would be better than later.”
I nod slowly. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I’m asking.”
I reach for the door handle again.
“Thank you,” he says. “For doing this.”
“Thank you for the money.”
“It’s not a gift. You’re earning it.”
“By lying to everyone.”
“By helping me show them the truth. That I’m not the man Cassidy described.”
I meet his eyes, seeing the exhaustion and fear underneath the mask of control.
“You’re not,” I say. “Whatever else you are, you’re not that.”
It’s slight, but his shoulders hunch. “I hope you still think that in three months.”
“I guess we’ll find out.”
I leave before he can respond.
The door closes, and I lean against it, heart hammering.
What did I just agree to?
