Leo’s eyes went wide, then narrowed. “And what business is that of yours?”
“Answer the question.”
“I don’t have to?—”
“Both of you, stop.” I stood up, needing to move, to think. “Ares seems to believe that all of us are romantically involved with Tashi.”
“Sexually,” said Ares. “Let’s be precise.”
Leo looked between us. “And you’re mad about this because…?”
“Because she didn’t tell us!” Ares’s control finally cracked. “Because we all thought—I thought?—”
“That you were the only one,” I finished quietly.
The silence was deafening.
Leo broke it with a long exhale. “Okay. Cards on the table. Yes. I’ve been with Tashi. And before you ask, it was mutual, consensual, and none of your damn business.”
“When?” Ares demanded.
“The night of the rooftop dinner. After she almost left.” Leo’s voice was defensive. “She was packing her bags, and I convinced her to stay. Things escalated.”
“And you.” Ares turned to me. “The Grand Canyon?”
I would rather not answer. But lying would only worsen the situation.
“Yes,” I said. “In the jet. After the tour.”
“Jesus Christ.” Ares scrubbed his face with both hands. “And last night in her suite. I thought—” He stopped. “I thought she was mine.”
“She’s not a possession,” Leo said sharply.
“I know that!” Ares whirled on him. “But she didn’t tell me. She tried, but?—”
“She tried to tell me too,” I admitted. The memory of her hesitation, her attempt to confess, hit me like a punch. “I didn’t let her finish.”
“Same,” Leo said quietly. “I thought she was worried about workplace complications. Not this.”
We stood there, three brothers who’d built an empire together, who’d never let a woman come between us, staring at each other across a divide that hadn’t existed yesterday.
“So,” Leo said finally. “What are we going to do about it? Fire her?”
“No!” Ares and I said simultaneously, horrified.
“Absolutely not,” I added. “That would open us up to a sexual harassment lawsuit. She could claim retaliation for ending the relationships. We’d be destroyed.”
“Is that what you’re worried about?” Leo’s voice turned sharp. “Legal liability? Or is it that for the first time in your life, you have actual competition?”
“Now wait a minute?—”
“No, he’s right.” Ares crossed his arms. “This isn’t about the hotel. It’s about the fact that we all want her.”
“Want?” I laughed with bitterness. “I think she’s the one, Ares. She’s the one I’ve been waiting for. I can see myself sharing a future with her.”
“Now wait,” Ares said. “She’s mine. I claimed her last night. We have something real.”
Leo laughed, but there was no humor in his voice. “You think you two can compete against me? She opened up to me first. She trusted me when she was ready to run. That means something.”
