Knew how hard this was. Winston might have been closest to James, especially during their youth, but Duke always had more in common with him. The two had become very close over the years.
James cupped his jaw as it threatened to tremble, the pain becoming too much to bear. Eyes misting with tears, he searched Duke’s face, a sudden desperation gripping hold of him.
“How’d you do it, Duke?” he finally asked. “How the hell are you still breathing?”
Duke smeared a hand over his face and looked away with a sniff. “Dude, I just changed my life for a while. Started doing everything different. Like, the opposite of what I did before he died. For me, that was taking fewer risks. Dating less chicks,” he said with a laugh. “Becoming more…intentional about my decisions. So I basically turned into boring old Zander.” He shrugged, then set his gaze back on James. “For you, I guess it’d be takingmorechances. Maybe…taking off without tying up every loose end at work. Try dating a woman who’snotin the million-dollar range for once.”
None of that sounded appealing, but James knew it was time to try something new. He felt like living proof of Einstein’s definition of insanity: doing the same thing while expecting different results. Perhaps Duke was right; it was time to do something different. Drastic, even. But what?
“Why don’t you take off? Don’t tell anyone where you’re going. Go to Venice. Asia. Heck, San Francisco. Just go, and don’t tell anyone where you are.”
James shook his head. “I can’t.”
“Sure you can. How many people do you pay to keep things running like clockwork? Stephanie is like…YouNumber Two. She can do anything you can do. Probably better.”
James chuckled at the mention of his personal assistant. Stephanie was pretty great.
“I’ll think about it.” He already was, in truth. But none of the places that came to mind held any appeal. Most of his favored vacation spots had memories of Winston attached to them. Some because they’d vacationed together, like the place in Greece. Or others, because James’ getaway had been dampened by a worried call over Winston and his troubled ways.
“Hey,” Duke blurted, grabbing his arm. “I’ve got the perfect place. Vanessa and I were supposed to spend a few weeks on the east coast, but she can’t go now. I’ve got a place on the beach for the entire month starting yesterday.”
James lifted a brow. “And no one else knows about it?”
“No one. The resort has a strict privacy policy too. It’s said that what happens at the Royal Palm,staysat the Royal Palm.”
Duke’s idea held a surprising appeal, one he couldn’t put his finger on.
A recollection of Winston’s journal came to mind, an item James had been neglecting since his death. Perhaps it was time to do something he’d been dreading for an entire year.
“I gotta get back in there before big bad Zander comes looking for us. Just get out a town for a while.” Duke darted a look over his shoulder. “The place is all yours. Go there. Now, in fact. Do whatever it is youwouldn’tnormally do. The crazier the better. I’ll cover for you with Zander and Betz.”
At last, James nodded.
“Good,” Duke said, his chest puffing with air. “I want a full report once the month’s through.”
James already knew that “full report” wouldn’t contain the sort of details his wild older brother hoped it would. No romantic rendezvous, no parties at the local club or late-night strolls along the moonlit beach. There was something different on the agenda, but hopefully it would start the healing process at last. “Thanks, man. I’m going to get out of here.”
Duke pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’ll send you the specifics now. I really think you’re going to thank me for this.”
James hoped so.
Once he was settled into the backseat, James pulled out his own phone, a fresh determination urging him forward. He tapped the corner of his screen to dial his personal assistant, Stephanie Rell. No doubt she’d been watching the show; James was surprised the woman hadn’t called him the moment he’d stomped off the live taping.
The ringing stopped a half second before she spoke up.
“What in the freaking world got into you, James Benton?”
That was the reaction he’d expected. “I’m heading out of town and I need you to cover for me.”
Stunned silence fell over the line. “James…”
“Please.”He hoped that would put a stop to her prying. Stephanie was, as Duke said, like a second version of James. But the truth was, he’d been sensing a change in her over the last few weeks. A change that had her looking at him longer, talking in sweeter tones, and prying more than she ever had before. He needed to make sure the lines were still drawn clearly, especially in moments like these.
“Of course,” she said in a whisper. “When do you leave?”
James pictured the chopper at his estate, and the short trip to the runway where his jet waited nearby. When would he be leaving? The answer to that was clear. “Within the hour.”
Chapter 3
