Chapter 6 #2
“No, I can’t take this.” I gesture helplessly at the car. I’m not a car person, but even I know this isn't something you pick up at a dealership on a whim.
“You can, and you will.” Enzo’s stance doesn’t shift. “Non-negotiable.”
“Everything is negotiable.”
“Remy.” Ansel steps closer. “We’re not asking. This is about your safety. The car is in your name.” And he makes sure I’m looking at him. I brace myself for what he is about to say. “If you refuse to drive it, you’re going to rack up a lot of parking tickets leaving it here.”
I can’t help it. I laugh, which makes him crack a smile. And oh, my god, it’s such a perfect smile.
I want to argue. Every instinct I have screams that this is too much and too close to charity. But looking at their faces, I realize this isn’t about money or status. It’s about treating me right and making sure I’m safe. And maybe about showing me that I matter.
“Fine.” The word comes out reluctantly. “But if this is how you treat all your employees, HR is going to have questions.”
Breck laughs. “Consider it a reward.”
“Do you mean it’s a reward for figuring out your security breach?” I wait for them to process what I just said.
The change in all three of them is immediate.
Ansel goes very still. “You found the person who’s trying to access our systems?”
“I found the access point, the timeline, and the IP address. I know exactly when the breach happened, how it was executed, and where it originated.”
Enzo closes the distance between us. “Do you have a name?”
“Not yet. But I have enough to trace it. Give me another hour, maybe two, and I’ll have everything you need.”
Ansel releases a breath. “Fucking finally.”
Before I can process what’s happening, Breck’s hands are on my waist, and he’s lifting me off the ground, spinning me in a circle.
“You brilliant, beautiful little genius!”
I grab onto his arms for balance, half-laughing, half-protesting. “Breck! Put me down!”
He lowers me slowly, my body dragging against his the entire way down.
When my feet finally touch the ground, his hands are still on my waist, thumbs tracing small circles that make my skin burn even through the fabric of my blouse.
He’s so close I can feel the heat radiating off him, feel the way his muscles tense, like he’s restraining himself.
His eyes lock on mine, intense and wanting.
“We’re celebrating.” His voice drops lower, rougher. “Dinner. Tonight. Somewhere expensive where I can watch you pretend the menu prices don’t make you nervous.”
“I have work,” I tell him.
“Work can wait.” Enzo steps closer, and suddenly, I’m flanked by all three of them.
“You just saved us millions and a PR nightmare,” Ansel chimes in. “We’re taking you to dinner.”
The heat from all three of them is overwhelming. Breck still hasn’t moved his hands from my waist. And Ansel and Enzo are close enough that one slight lean in any direction would close the gap entirely. My breath catches, and I know they all hear it from the way their bodies go still.
“Okay,” I manage, my voice coming out breathier than intended. “Dinner.”
Breck’s grin turns absolutely wicked. “Perfect. You can drive your new car home, and then Joshua will pick you up at seven.”
He finally releases me, but the heat from his hands stays long after he’s stepped back.
I wait until they’ve gone back inside before pulling out my phone. My breathing is still erratic from adrenaline, from the breakthrough, and maybe from Breck’s hands on my waist.
I need to talk to someone who isn’t paying my salary or making my pulse race.
My best friend answers on the second ring. “Please tell me you’re calling with good news, because I just sat through the worst client meeting of my life, and I need a win.”
I don’t bother with a cheerful greeting. “Jess, they bought me a car.”
Silence.
“Jess?” I ask, looking at my screen to make sure I didn’t accidentally hang up. I put the phone back to my ear.
Finally, she speaks. “I’m sorry, what? Who bought you a what?”
“The Jacobs brothers. They bought me a car. A really, really nice car.” The words tumble out faster now. “It’s sitting outside my office right now with my name on the title.”
“Okay, back up. Start from the beginning. Why did your bosses buy you a car?”
I lean against the building, watching traffic pass. “They said it’s company transportation. For safety.”
“Safety.” Jess snorts. “Normal companies give you a parking pass, not a luxury car.”
“They said—”
Jess cuts me off. “Which one of them likes you?”
My cheeks heat. “What? They don’t like me! Well, not in the way you’re insinuating.”
“Remy. Three billionaires don’t buy cars for employees they’re not interested in. Is it all three? Oh, my god, all three of them like you.”
“Jess—”
“This is perfect! What a way to get back at Damon. He cheated on you, and now you’ve got three billionaires who are trying to impress you.”
“No.” My voice comes out sharper than intended. “They don’t like me like that. And I’m not here for revenge. In fact, I’m actively trying to avoid Damon as much as possible.”
“Yes, I know you always want to do the right thing.” I hear typing in the background. “Wait, I’m looking them up. I want to see what they look like. Hold on.”
“Jess, please stop.”
“Oh, my god. Remy. REMY. These men are gorgeous. All three of them. Well, obviously all three of them—they’re triplets.”
“Jess, I promise you that nothing is happening between me and any of the Jacobs brothers,” I tell my friend, but I can’t hold back a laugh.
“I’m just saying, revenge could look a lot worse.”
“Jess, the triplets are off-limits. I’m not going to risk losing my job.”
“Who said anything about losing your job? I’m just saying, maybe keep an open mind.” Typical Jess advice. And it’s a suggestion I will be immediately ignoring.
I press my fingers against my eyes. “They invited me to dinner tonight to celebrate the fact that I just possibly saved them millions of dollars.” I don’t tell her about solving the breach because of the very strict NDA.
“What? That’s amazing! Congratulations!”
And then I start to unload some of my feelings. “I don’t know what to wear, or how to feel about the car. This is a lot, which is why I called you.”
“Okay, stop spiraling.” Jess’s voice shifts into practical mode. “Go to dinner, let them celebrate you, and wear something that makes you feel confident. Just relax and have fun. You’re brilliant, and they recognized that. You earned this.”
“That’s actually good advice.”
“I know. I’m wise as hell.” She pauses. “Also, if things go well, remember that triplets probably have excellent stamina.”
“Goodbye, Jess.” I hang up, but I’m smiling despite myself.