“Glad to know your geographics studies hit home with you, but what the hell does Vermont have to do with me?”
“That’s where you’re going.” Alexander had developed a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Did some wayward employee escape to Vermont that I need to catch?”
My brother shook his head. “Nope. You won’t be doing any work.”
Now I was confused. “I’m not following you and it has nothing to do with my glass of whiskey. Speaking of which…” I threw back the remainder of the liquid, enjoying the slight burn in the back of my throat.
“The family owns a house in Vermont. We own eight or so throughout the world, typically used for vacations. Something you wouldn’t know about. That’s where you’re going.”
My brother rarely stunned me, but this was one of those times. “For how long?”
“A month. After that, we’ll reevaluate.”
“Oh, fuck, no.”
“Oh, fuck, yes.” His eyes twinkled again. As his grin widened, he edged closer, grabbing a clean glass from the bar, pouring a hefty shot then refilling mine. Afterwards, he lifted his glass, not asking for but demanding a toast. “Here’s to you getting the help you need.”
“Some famous doctor?”
“Nope,” he chortled, popping the p, something he’d started doing soon after meeting Catherine. “Nature. Snow. Mountains. Clean air. A small-town feel. Nice people, but I assure you they won’t take your shit either. They’re down to earth, but don’t like bullshitters.”
He was serious. “You’re out of your mind. There’s too much work to do here.”
“Nothing your brothers and sister can’t handle.” He took a sip without our glasses clinking, holding the smooth liquor in his mouth. Even sighing in satisfaction after swallowing.
He always did enjoy being a showman.
“Are you expecting me to go mountain climbing?”
“Maybe.”
“Not with this leg.”
“Then go fishing. I’ve heard ice fishing is an interesting hobby.” He thumped his glass on the bar, winking before turning toward the door.
“What in the hell am I supposed to do there? I’ll go fucking nuts.”
He stopped long enough to twist his body toward me. “Read a book. Something new for you. It’ll give you a chance to use that Harvard education you were given. Explore the town. Talk to people. As long as you don’t bite their heads off, you’ll be fine.” His eyes lit up seconds later. “I know. You could go on a date. Now, I realize that will terrify you even more than almost losing your life, but I assure you the chicks won’t hurt you. Unless you want them to, of course.”
I hated when he laughed as if he was the all-powerful man in town.
It’s not that I hated nature. I adored the wilderness, especially the bayou, including alligators. What I didn’t like were people. And he knew it.
“Thanks for the offer, bro, but I’ll return to physical therapy instead.”
He was in the doorway before responding. “You know, when I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror, do you know what was staring back at me?”
“Attila the Hun?”
“Close. The Don of the Prince family, which means I’m in charge of a billion-dollar empire. Every operation. Every employee. Every soldier. And even every family member.”
“Thanks for the lesson in the chain of command. What’s your point?”
He tilted his head, the sarcastic smile turning into a smirk. “It means, little brother, I’m not asking you to go to Vermont. I’m ordering you to. You’re leaving at nine in the morning. The jet is fueled and ready. And you know how I don’t like my orders disobeyed. I tend to get very cranky.”
CHAPTER 3
