“This is a professional workplace, and I expect all my employees to conduct themselves accordingly. If you can’t address me properly or stop acting so familiar, it may be time to call the agency to seek a replacement.”
Her face pales. “That won’t be necessary, sir. I’m really sorry. It won’t happen again.”
I work my way through the folder, carefully checking each document before I sign it, wondering why it couldn’t have waited until Monday.
“So, um, will you be back in the office this afternoon?”
I scrawl my signature on the last page and hand the folder over, drilling her with a sharp look. “Did I not ask you to keep this Friday afternoon free on my calendar?”
“You did.” She flashes me a smile as she runs her hands through her long dark hair.
“Then you have your answer.”
“Going anywhere nice?” she asks as I open the driver’s side door to my Maserati.
I draw a calming breath before I turn to face her, crossing my arms and fixing her in place with a lethal look. “What did I just say?”
Heat swamps her cheeks, and her lower lip wobbles. “I was just making conversation. You work so hard all the time; I was hoping you were doing something nice.”
“Goodbye, Lavinia.”
Her cheeks stain fire-engine red as she clutches the folder to her chest and runs off.
I get behind the wheel, remove my tie, and toss it on the passenger seat before opening the top two buttons of my dress shirt. Choosing some soothing classical music, I drive out of the building heading toward home.
I decide to drop by Caleb’s adjoining penthouse apartment first, letting myself in when he doesn’t answer. Loud music blares throughout the apartment, but there’s no sign of my brother in the main living space.
The place is a mess. As usual.
Half-drank champagne bottles reside beside empty vodka, scotch, and beer bottles, all fighting for floor and table space in the living room. A stack of pizza boxes litters the island unit. On the dining table, half-eaten bowls of nachos, wings, fries, and garlic bread lie uncovered, congealed with a dry layer on top, and it turns my stomach. Pungent smells crawl up my nostrils, and I pinch the bridge of my nose to block the scent. I’m stepping over a trail of clothing on the floor just as a loud scream emits from somewhere upstairs.
Bile travels up my throat when I spot the white powder remnants on the coffee table. I tap out a message to the cleaning service we both use, asking the owner to send a team here to clean up the place, before I dispose of the drug evidence.
I walk upstairs as more moaning and screaming filters out through Caleb’s bedroom door.
I don’t bother knocking, entering my twin’s room without announcing myself. I’d like to say I’m shocked by the scene in front of me, but I’m not. A woman with a black pixie crop is riding my brother, cowgirl style, while a blonde sits on his face, and he has his fingers in the redhead lying upside down on her back groping the dark-haired woman’s tits while she bounces on Caleb’s cock.
They are all lost to lust and oblivious to my presence. Striding around the bed, I yank Caleb’s phone from the sound system, muting the heavy metal as my ears offer up silent thanks.
“Oh look,” the blonde says, smiling as she reaches for me. “It’s your clone.” She rakes her gaze over me from head to toe and licks her lips. “Come join us. You can fuck my ass while your brother eats me out.”
“Don’t fucking touch me,” I snarl, stepping back. “I wouldn’t fuck you if you paid me.” I glower at Caleb as he locks eyes on me. I imagine he’s sporting a smirk, but I can’t tell cause his lips are devouring the blonde’s pussy while she fondles her tits and writhes on top of him. I point my finger at Caleb. “Finish this now. We’re due in Greenwich by six, and I want to leave in an hour to avoid getting stuck in traffic.”
Traffic in the city is a shit show most days, but it’ll be worse this evening with the usual mass exodus for the weekend. “I’ll be back in ten minutes. If you’re not done, I don’t care. I’m throwing them out on their asses.”
I stomp out of his room, sick of this shit. I love my brother. We’ve been through hell together, and I would stand in front of a bullet for him, but some days, he really tests my sanity. I’m not sure what’s up with Caleb, but he’s more reckless than usual lately.
Heading back downstairs, I move around my brother’s penthouse picking up empties and other trash, trying to ignore the moans wafting down the stairs. I need to get laid. I haven’t fucked anyone since Sorella, because I’ve been pulling all-nighters at work, and I need a release. Pulling up my contacts list, I send a message to Elizabeth to see if she wants to hook up tomorrow night.
“You’re no fun,” the redhead says, materializing in front of me as I pocket my cell.
“The door is that way.” I point to my right as she slips her high heels on.
“Spoilsport,” the blonde says, pouting as she flips me the bird before trotting after her friend.
The pixie-haired beauty levels me with a poisonous look as she fixes her dress into place.
“What, no insults?” I ask as she walks past me.
