"That's one way of getting a no-strings attached one-night stand."
Massimo looks pained for the woman.
"It's creative."
She sounds as lonely as I feel. But it's not a wish I can grant.
By the looks on my brothers' faces, the desire is there, but pushing Redthorne up the ladder of power has drained us all of the time it takes to nourish a relationship. Even a one-nighter is a lot. Look at us. It's after midnight and we are still handling business.
Rowan connects his gaze with mine and I don't miss the twist of playfulness turning up the corners of his mouth.
Or, maybe I'm wrong. I shift toward him.
He's usually the quiet one, but I guess everyone gets horny. "Finally one that doesn't require a shovel. A Ms. Fantasy Fuck sounds like a red pile wish, right?"
I consider his words.
"I'm not the only one tired of going home to an empty bed, right?" He presses.
Just because I'm tired of meaningless sex, doesn't mean the rest of them are. I need to remember that. That said, something about it catches in my chest like a coat on a nail that draws me up short. It's a small, sharp resistance that stops me mid-step through my own exhaustion.
"You're not wrong, brother. Put that one in the red pile," I say without an explanation and it draws everyone's eyeballs in my direction.
"Didn't think you were one for one-night stands anymore, Rafe."
That's Luca. He's always pushing people's buttons to see what gets him a reaction.
Massimo's left brow rises and he gives me a look through the smoke of his smelly ass cigar clenched between his teeth. I swear to God the man makes it his full-time job trying to read my mind.
Rowan tosses the envelope on the section of the table we've deemed space for the red pile. "He’s not,” he answers for me. “But why do I feel like that wish set the stage for something?"
"Because it did, brother." I drink back the rest of my scotch and put the glass on the table. I put both hands flat on the surface and lean my substantial weight forward. I look at the men I would die for and I share an idea that just might solve all our problems.
"You are all aware of my situation with my father."
Everyone nods.
Drake grunts. "Yeah. We are all in the same situation for one reason or another."
I stand and walk to the window, rubbing at the back of my neck. I suddenly feel tense for what I am about to say.
Drake shifts in his chair, eyes on me. "You got something to say, do it."
I eye the wish in the red pile, going over my thoughts again before I share them.
I turn and scratch at the stubble covering my jawline with the back of my fingers. "We have talked about needing to shed our bachelor status for the last six months, but we keep landing in the same place. It's not the right time, there's no time, there's no prospects. You get where I'm going with all the excuses we've used."
Everyone nods and waits for me to continue.
"Fact is, we all need or want to produce heirs. And some of us are under timeline pressure. And we have a city full of women sending us their wishes."
I look each of them in the eye and tap the red pile with one finger. "I think I know how we get what we need without all the time it takes to court a bride the traditional way. We all get heirs, I save Redthorne, we take control and never have our livelihood threatened again due to my old man."
Konstantin makes a sound that sounds like a laugh and a warning at the same time. "No love required." He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. "I knew you were cold, brother, but where the fuck is your soul?" His accent grows thicker the longer he speaks.
I narrow my eyes on him. Ordinarily, he doesn't question me, so his tone grates on my nerves.
"Fuck you, Konstantin. If you only want the flowers and candies, go for it but I don't have time to play the doting boyfriend and husband. I have four months to put a ring on it and a baby in it."
