“He was already breathing down her neck, and if it were as simple as putting a pin in a map, she’d be gone by now. I have a horrible feeling Katarina is up to something. I just haven’t worked out her game yet.”
“For fear of repeating myself,” Rory says, “I am sorry for dragging you into this mess, but if you want to break the engagement here and now, you’d have my full support.”
“I can’t do that. However badly she behaves, I won’t throw Katarina back to the wolves. No woman deserves to be treated the way the Barkovs and their friends treat them.”
It’s a valid enough reason, but it’s not the only one. Rory and the Griffins don’t need to know the added pressure Vasili has applied to me personally.
Rory tilts his head. He still feels guilty, but not enough to forget why he stormed into my office. “You’re still not forgiven,” he says. “And I don’t think Noah is too pleased with you either. He had someone new starting today but had to stand her up for a fictitious emergency.”His eyes narrow. “Her name’s Grace Hamel. I believe you know her.”
“I pointed Noah in her direction, that’s all,” I say with a shrug, playing down my role. In truth, I’d been dropping Grace’s name to Noah for months, and he’d eventually taken the hint and head hunted her. “I thought the Exemplar had pushed our branding a little too far from its origins. The links to our heritage were clever, but so subtle that blink and you’d miss it. I’d seen Mrs. Hamel’s work featured in a few trade magazines and thought she might offer a fresh perspective.”
Rory’s foot stops dancing. When he’s deep in concentration, my brother goes statue still. And I fucking hate it when I’m the subject of his intense scrutiny. Anyone with any sense would. “Mrs. Hamel,” he repeats, emphasizing how I’d highlighted Grace’s marital status. It was supposed to throw him off the scent.
The only way to divert Rory’s attention is to hit him with a curve ball. Fortunately, I have one prepared. “I’ve been toying with some ideas for Corbyn House.”
The house in question is a mansion we’ve recently acquired in a small town called Brimstage in southern Illinois. Not only is it Grace’s new assignment, it’s Rory’s pet project, one with strong links to the Griffins. I know it’ll be tough wrestling it from him, but while my current situation prevents me from socializing with Grace, I can still work with her, and I intend to work with her very closely.
“Since when were you interested in renovation?” Rory asks, remaining stubbornly suspicious. He hasn’t realized I’m pitching for the job yet.
And why would he? My specialty has always been security, an aspect of the hospitality industry that doesn’t rely on being friendly or approachable. In my line of business, thecustomer is rarely right. I can be downright rude if the situation warrants it, and being intimidating comes naturally to me. I scare people without trying. Or most people. Grace Hamel being the notable exception.
“After the accident, I did a lot of self-reflecting,” I explain, although it’s hardly news to Rory. “I’ve been thinking for a while that I need a new challenge, something that doesn’t involve seeking out the worst in people.” I lean forward, putting all my weight behind the request I’m about to make. I need Rory to take me seriously. I’ll do anything to keep Grace near. I need her. “I want to take on the Brimstage project.”
“Fuck off,” Rory says without the slightest hesitation.
“Rory–”
“Maddie would kill me,” he says, referring to Ash’s sister-in-law who’d had the final say in selling what had been her family’s estate. “It took months convincing her to sell it to us, and I had to agree to all kinds of caveats.”
“And we’ll honor those promises.”
He checks his watch and gets to his feet, deciding an exit would be the most efficient way to close down the discussion.
“I’m not asking to change your plan,” I say forcibly. “I just want to deliver it. I want to do something with tangible results that doesn’t involve court proceedings or the recovery of stolen property.”
The more I talk, the more I can see the appeal in trying something new. I come out from behind my desk and follow Rory to the door.
“Dad’s been on my back about broadening my interests,” I continue. “This could be the perfect opportunity to expand my skill set.”
“Speaking of Dad,” Rory says, deftly changing thesubject. “He’ll be back from his travels next week and wants us all home that weekend.”
There was a time when we’d find any excuse for a family get-together. Not so now. “Will Meri be there?” I ask, remaining at the door my brother has escaped through.
He pauses at Edison’s desk. “I haven’t mentioned it to her yet.”
My shrug is a poor attempt to pretend it doesn’t fucking hurt when I say, “Tell my sister if she wants to go, I won’t. I’ll plan my visit around her.”
“Dad will want all of us there.”
“Then tell Meri that.”
My sister hasn’t spoken to me for the last eighteen months, and it’s going to take more than an invite from Dad to change that. Rory knows it and simply nods, then gives me a wave as if that’s our business concluded.
“Damn it, Rory,” I say, raising my voice as he strides off in the direction of his office. “Are you going to give me an answer? I’m serious about the project.”
Big brother’s steps falter and he stills. When he turns, he shoves his hands in his pockets and hunches his shoulders. “I’d still want oversight.”
“Of course,” I say, my chest flooding with relief. “I’ll let Noah know I’m taking over.”
