His brother’s expression barely changed, but Duncan thought he could see the strain behind Alastair’s outwardly confident demeanor. After all, his brother never left his penthouse office for a meeting, not when he always wanted to make sure he had the home court advantage. The fact that he had come to Duncan’s home today proved how far the power dynamic had shifted between the two of them. Duncan was no longer the little brother, in any sense of the words.
“Why don’t you invite me inside for a cup of coffee and we can catch up and dispel any misunderstandings?” Alastair suggested.
But Duncan knew how his brother operated. If you made the mistake of giving him an inch, he’d take a whole hell of a lot more than a mile. He’d take absolutely everything from you, without losing one second of sleep over his actions, no matter how nefarious.
“I’m not going to play games with you.” Duncan would repeat himself one final time to ensure there could be no misunderstanding. “I’m done with you and the family company.”
At last his brother’s smile fell, leaving only a calculated rise of one eyebrow. “This is because of your new girlfriend, isn’t it? My employee who went to the fashion show last night couldn’t say enough about her abundant…” He paused before adding a very lecherous sounding, “…appeal. After looking her up online, it seems her name fits her well. Lola. I can see why you’ve fallen in lust with her. With a face and figure like that, she’s every man’s wet dream. I’m disappointed that you seem to have fallen for her hook, line, and sinker, though. No doubt she’s after your money and connections, just like women always are. She probably thinks if she gives you a few great blow jobs that you’ll hand her everything on a silver platter. I tried to teach you better than that, Duncan, but I know firsthand it isn’t always easy to think with the right head when infatuation strikes.” He gave Duncan what was probably supposed to be an understanding look. “If you could see the forest for the trees, you’d know that the only move that makes sense is for your company to merge with mine. Of course I’m happy for you to remain CEO of the subsidiary company.”
Duncan’s hands threatened to bunch into fists at the confirmation that his brother had in fact set Lola in his sights—exactly what he’d feared would happen when he’d spotted Alastair’s henchman at the fashion show. He forced himself to relax his fingers. And he didn’t let himself growl at his brother not to so much as speak Lola’s name, either. That was exactly the game Alastair wanted to play, and Duncan wouldn’t lower himself to his brother’s level.
Once upon a time, they had played on the same team, two kids reeling from the sudden deaths of their parents, just trying to keep their heads above water. But those days were long past. Ever since Alastair had changed from a boy intent on protecting his brother to a man intent on always coming out on top. Duncan had walked away from the business five years ago, but their emotional bond had disintegrated long before that.
And whether or not Duncan ever got to see Lola again, hold her again, love her again, he would protect her from Alastair. At all costs.
“You have two choices,” Duncan told his brother. “You can stay out of my life. Completely out. Or you can continue your current course of action and pay the price.” A price that would start with Duncan talking to the FBI.
Surprise flickered on his brother’s face. No one threatened Alastair. No one dared. Until now.
Quickly reassuming his customary arrogance, he said, “As we’re brothers, I’ll pretend you didn’t just say that.”
It was meant as a warning. But Duncan had a warning of his own to impart. “I promise you, I mean every word.”
For the past five years, instead of instigating an ugly legal battle against Alastair—a battle that would have been made even more difficult given the number of professionals in Boston controlled by his brother—Duncan had used his time, energy, and wealth to atone for Alastair’s crimes with the people who had signed up to work with Brilliant Funds.
But things were different now. For Lola, there was no battle too long. And no risk too high.
“What would you do if you lost your power?” Duncan asked in a low, steely voice. “If everyone who you thought respected and worshipped you turned on you instead? Who would you be then?” He let an unspoken no one linger in the air between them.
The small flare of worry in his brother’s eyes would have been imperceptible to anyone but Duncan. Of course, Alastair was full of bravado as he said, “It’s a moot point. No one would dare be so stupid as to try to destroy me. Especially not my brother. A brother I’ve always gone out of my way to look out for, both back when we were children and as a wealthy adult who is a ripe target for gold diggers. So, despite any harsh words that have come between us, my door will always be open for you, and your company. Whether next year, or five years from now, I have no doubt you’ll eventually see that our bond as brothers—and as a brilliant business team—can never be broken.”
Alastair’s response couldn’t have been clearer. He not only wasn’t planning to stay out of Duncan’s life and business, but as he assumed Duncan’s ‘infatuation’ with Lola had scrambled his otherwise sharp business brain, she had a bullseye on her back now too.
“Next year,” Duncan said, “you’ll be behind prison bars.”
And then he walked back into the house and left his brother standing on his front step, waiting for a reconciliation that would never come.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
On Wednesday, when Lola met Ashley for lunch, though they talked about everything but Duncan, Lola remained terribly distracted by thoughts of him. After they ate, they headed to her studio so that Ashley could pick up some fabric for a display in the café window.
Lola was unlocking the door, silently going back over every single second she’d had with Duncan, when Ashley said, “I’m planning to cut off all my hair on the right side and then dye what’s left green and pink.”
At last, Lola’s brain registered what her sister was saying. “You’re going to do what?” Of all of them, Ashley had the best hair, hands down. It was thick and lustrous, and chopping it off would be a crime.
In lieu of saying anything more about her hair, Ashley simply said, “Do you think it might help to talk about it?”
Lola groaned. “Sorry. I know I haven’t been good company today. You shouldn’t have to put up with me right now. No one should.”
“Are you kidding me? For ten years, you’ve listened to me complain about Kevin’s father. The least I can do is be there for you now, even if all you want to do is throw things, then eat a gallon of ice cream. I have some plates I really hate. We could find a brick wall and let them loose, then stuff ourselves full of cookies ‘n’ cream.”
After years of protecting herself from men who wanted only to get her into bed, Lola still couldn’t believe how badly she’d screwed up by choosing to risk her heart with Duncan. She had promised herself she wouldn’t waste any more of her life moping over him. She’d done a rotten job of holding to that promise thus far, so she would have to hit the restart button and try again.