I turn back to face them. “And if he chooses to leave?”
“Then we make sure he leaves quietly.” Ansel meets my gaze. “With an NDA so ironclad, he won’t be able to say a word about this company or anyone in it without facing legal consequencesthat’ll ruin him. If he wants a severance package, he’ll sign whatever we put in front of him.”
I should feel guilty about planning the end of a thirteen-year friendship. But all I feel is relief.
Ansel paces, likely struggling with the fact that our relationship with our best friend is fizzling out. “Has Remy told either of you her side of the story about their breakup?”
“No,” Enzo and I both say together.
“I’ve tried. She won’t talk about it,” Enzo explains. “That’s integrity.”
Ansel and I both agree.
“There’s one more thing we need to discuss.” Ansel looks at me directly. “What happened between you and Remy?”
Fuck. “What makes you think?—”
“Don’t.” He cuts me off. “I’ve known you my entire life. I know when you’re hiding something. And the way Damon asked that question, the way you didn’t deny it… something happened.”
I could lie. But these are my brothers, and they deserve the truth.
“A week ago. We got locked in the server room during that security drill.” I force myself to meet their eyes. “Turns out confined spaces and sexual tension are a dangerous combination. Who knew?”
Enzo leans back in his chair. “What happened?”
“Things that shouldn’t have happened in a workplace. Things that were completely unprofessional and probably broke half a dozen HR policies.”
Ansel’s expression doesn’t change. “And now?”
“Now she’s pretending it didn’t happen. She thinks I’ll lose interest or that it’ll complicate everything.” I look up to the ceiling for a second, trying to gather my thoughts. “She asked me to forget about it. To maintain professional boundaries.”
“And have you?” Enzo’s question is careful.
“I’m trying. But obviously, I can’t forget something like that.” I meet their gazes steadily. “I care about her. More than I’ve cared about anyone in a long time. Maybe ever.”
My brothers are both quiet.
Enzo breaks the silence. “I haven’t fucked anyone since Montana. Not from lack of opportunity, but I can’t think about anyone but her.”
My eyebrows rise. Montana. Where they got stranded and had to share a room.
Ansel’s shoulders drop slightly. “I almost kissed her. I had to physically stop myself from crossing that line in my office.”
We all sit with that admission for a moment.
“So we’re all…” I trail off.
“Falling for her,” Enzo finishes.
Ansel’s expression is unreadable. “This is unprecedented territory for us.”
“We’ve shared women before,” Enzo points out.
“Not like this.” I prop one ankle on my opposite knee. “We’ve shared plenty of women. One night, maybe a weekend. But Remy isn’t someone we fuck and forget.”
Enzo’s jaw tightens. “No. She’s not.”
“We’re talking about a relationship,” Ansel clarifies, so there’s no confusion. “All of us. With her.”
