“You’re really testing me today, Thatcher,” I whisper between my teeth before refocusing on the email I was working on before my thoughts distracted me.
Ten minutes later, I make my way to the morning board meeting, determined to focus on work, not my assistant.
Lior is already there by the refreshments table, so I join him and pour myself a glass of water.
“Well done again for an amazing party yesterday, Pierce. It took me thirty minutes to get to the office this morning because everyone stopped me along the way. Staff morale is at an all-time high, and I have you to thank for it.”
I shake my head. “You know Thatcher did most of the work, but I’m happy you’re happy.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing what he does with it next year.”
“Yeah,” I say, wondering if there will be a next year for Thatcher or me. With what’s happening between us and James’s threats, I’m not so sure.
The door to the conference room opens, and Thatcher enters, followed closely by James and Lior’s assistant, Tina. My stomach drops at the sight of my brother’s predatory smile. Thatcher’s natural warmth is absent as he takes his usual seat beside mine, his eyes fixed on James with barely concealed distrust.
James fixes me with a stare that might as well have “time’s up” written across his forehead.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Lior asks, carrying the authority of a CEO who doesn’t appreciate surprises of the James Dellcourt variety. He was never a fan of my brother.
James spreads his hands in a gesture of false apology. “I know I don’t have an appointment, but I’m certain you’ll want to hear what I have to say.” He moves to the head of the table, Lior’s place, with the confidence of someone who’s about to release a smoking gun.
I sit beside Thatcher, but Lior remains where he is, leaning against the window.
“I’m here to propose a merger between Dellcourt Holdings and Van Stern Enterprises.” James’s voice carries more arrogance than I’ve ever seen, even in our father. “Our market analysis suggests this is the perfect time for such a venture. Especially given the…partner retention challenges VSE has been facing.”
Under the table, Thatcher’s foot touches mine as James continues outlining his proposal. The touch carries silent support as my brother’s carefully chosen words mask thinly veiled threats about VSE’s “vulnerable position” in the current market.
“VSE isn’t currently seeking merger opportunities,” Lior states firmly, cutting through James’s pitch.
My brother’s smile sharpens. “Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones we don’t go looking for.” His eyes meetmine across the table, carrying a clear warning. “Especially when market conditions become…unstable. Distribution partnerships can be so fragile these days.”
Before Lior can respond, board members begin filing into the room. James drops a file on the table labeledPartnership Analysis: Confidential, and with a nod to Lior, he leaves the room.
Lior’s expression tightens momentarily before he takes his seat. “Pierce, my office after the meeting,” he says quietly. “We need to discuss this situation.”
The regular board meeting proceeds as usual, but tension hangs thick in the air. I miss Thatcher’s foot against mine, but when we go through the reports we fixed last night, the silent touch returns, except this time, it’s his hand on my leg.
“Calm down. You look like you’re about to eject from the chair,” he says under his breath.
He’s not wrong. I feel like a pressure cooker about to explode.
“I’m okay,” I reply, but he gives me a look that says he knows I’m very much not okay.
I have no idea what to tell Lior when we meet. Everything in my life is unraveling simultaneously, and I can’t seem to get a grip on any of it. James is methodically destroying our business relationships while I’m losing my professional composure over my assistant. I used to pride myself on control, on compartmentalizing, but now I can’t even make it through a board meeting without thinking of dragging my assistant onto my lap to finish what we’ve started.
Lior is one of my oldest friends—or was, before I betrayed him. Even now, with the fragile trust we’ve rebuilt, I can’t confess what’s happening with Thatcher. Not when Lior is his cousin by marriage, and not when I can’t even understand it myself.
As the meeting concludes, I know I can’t face Lior. Not yet. I’m thankful for small mercies when he gets a call just as the meeting ends. As he’s walking out, he makes a gesture for me to give him some time before coming to the office.
I turn to Thatcher. “Follow me,” I say softly, needing him…something, before facing whatever awaits in Lior’s office.
He doesn’t ask where we’re going when I take a different turn, leading him toward the service stairwell instead of the elevators. The concrete steps echo with our footsteps as we climb, the sound bouncing off the walls in the narrow space.
“Pierce, what are we—” he starts, but I’m already pushing open the heavy door to the rooftop garden. I don’t have a plan for this, I just know I need to breathe, and I can’t do it without Thatcher.
The late-morning sun hits us immediately, warm and bright after the fluorescent lighting downstairs. The small oasis spreads before us: the raised flower beds, the weathered benches, and the city stretching out beyond the low wall. More importantly, the place is empty. As it has been every time Thatcher’s dragged me up here to force me into having a lunch break
The moment I confirm we’re alone, my control snaps. My hand closes around Thatcher’s wrist as I pull him back against the door we just came through.
