2. Nate
Chapter two
Nate
The morning air bites at my skin as I pull Max through the motions of our usual routine. He's dragging his feet, still caught in the fog of sleep, his backpack hanging over one shoulder. I guide him through the living room, but the sight of Liz stops me cold.
She’s there, standing in the soft light of the early morning, and for a second, I forget where I’m supposed to be going. The tousled waves of her hair frame her face, and the sleepiness in her eyes only adds to this unsettling pull. She’s... stunning. And that, frankly, is a problem.
"Morning, Liz," I manage to say, my voice sounding far too normal for how off-balance I actually feel. She flashes me a smile—easy, warm—and something in my chest tightens.
"Morning, Nate. Hi, Max," she chirps, casting a glance at Max. He grunts his usual morning non-response, and I almost smile.
"There's breakfast for you in the microwave," I tell her, trying to focus on practical things.
"My housekeeper will be by later, and the dog walker’s coming for Boomer."
"Thanks, Nate," she replies. There's a teasing note in her voice, like she knows how tightly I'm gripping my routine.
Max pulls at my hand, his silent way of telling me he’s had enough of morning pleasantries. I nod, using him as my excuse to leave.
"We should get going. Can’t be late for school," I say, though I’m not really talking to him. I just need to get out of here, away from her, because standing in the same room with Liz feels... dangerous. My thoughts scatter every time she’s near, going places that they shouldn't.
As Max and I head out the door, I try to shake it off—the way she looked at me, the way her smile twisted something inside me. My thoughts won’t settle. In the car, silence stretches between me and Max, and I can’t stop thinking about Liz. She has grown into someone who’s hard to ignore, more like impossible to ignore.
How is it that the skinny girl I once knew has turned into this woman who pulls at every nerve I’ve managed to lock away? I can't figure it out, and worse, I can't shake the thought of her. She's Bryan’s sister. That should be enough to keep me at arm’s length. It has to be. Because no good will come of letting myself feel... whatever this is.
I drive Max to school on autopilot, going through the motions of our routine. As we pull up to the curb, I force a smile.
"Have a good day, buddy."
I say, ruffling his hair before he heads toward the school gates. His grumpy nod is the only acknowledgment I get, but I still find myself smiling. He’s all I’ve got from that mess of a marriage, and for that, I’m grateful.
I watch him go, my mind already slipping back to Liz. Her laugh, the way she moved around the kitchen like she’d always belonged there. Damn it. It’s like she’s everywhere, even when she’s not. And it’s throwing me off.
No matter how much I try I can’t seem to escape her. Her smile, her laugh. It all echoes in my head, the kind of melody you can't shake. A distraction I most desperately need to push away.
Her smile this morning had me on edge. I managed to mutter something about breakfast and the housekeeper before rushing Max out the door. How can someone I’ve known for years—Bryan’s little sister, no less—suddenly stir things in me I haven’t felt in... well, too long?
I grip the steering wheel tighter as I remind myself to stop thinking about her. She's Bryan's sister. Off-limits. My life is complicated enough without adding that layer. I repeat the words in my head, but they do nothing to quell the heat that rises every time I remember the way her eyes lit up when she greeted me this morning.
I park at the office, hoping the day’s work will provide the distraction I need. Stepping inside, the familiar hum of the place grounds me. Business, at least, is something I can control.
"Morning, Nate," Janet greets me, handing over my coffee—black, the way I like it. No room for distractions or indulgences today.
"Morning. Anything I need to know before the 9 am with Brady?" I ask, mentally preparing myself for what should be a smooth final stretch toward closing the Northgate deal.
"Everything's on track for the meeting. Your next meeting to complete the Northgate property is at ten," she says.
"Good. Make sure I’m not disturbed unless it’s urgent."
As I settle into my office, my mind sharpens, focusing on the upcoming deal. Months of hard work and careful negotiations have brought us to this point. And today’s call should be the final step in acquiring the Northgate property. It's been a long time coming. The deal will greatly enhance my firm's portfolio.
As I’m about to dive into prep for the meeting, my phone rings. It’s our company attorney, Tony Brady, but I’m not expecting him until later. My stomach knots. This isn’t a good sign.
"Nate, I need to talk to you," Brady starts, his voice heavy with something I can’t quite place.
"What’s going on?" I ask, leaning back in my chair, trying to mask the apprehension creeping into my voice.
"We’ve received another offer," he says.
"From Kirk."
The name alone makes my blood run cold. Jensen Kirk—an underhanded newcomer who’s been muscling his way into every deal he can. Ruthless. And apparently, now he’s in mine.
"That’s not possible. We had an agreement," I say, my voice tight, but measured.
"Technically, no agreement is in place, Nate. This offer is higher and promises a quicker turnaround. The board is leaning towards it."
I grit my teeth, holding back the wave of frustration rising in my chest.
"But we’ve been negotiating for months. My offer stands firm, and you know the value I bring to the table—this isn’t just about money. Northgate needs what we can deliver."
"I don’t disagree," Brady says, though his tone lacks conviction.
"But Kirk’s offer is considerable. It’s hard for the board to ignore."
Brady's voice starts to blur. My focus narrows on one fact: someone in my company leaked the details. It’s the only explanation. Kirk couldn’t have swooped in with a better offer unless he knew exactly what we were offering. This has become a pattern now as this is the third deal that has gone up in flames.
Before I thought it was mere coincidence, but now I can see more clearly with my biggest deal gone up in flames. It means someone in my office is selling me out to Kirk.
"Is there any way we can revisit the terms? I’m willing to find common ground to push this through," I say, forcing myself to stay calm. I don’t beg, but I also don’t give up easily.
"I wish I could say yes. But the board's about to decide," Brady says, regret in his voice.
"I'm sorry, Nate. I thought this was a done deal too."
"Yeah," I mutter, barely able to keep the frustration out of my voice.
"Thanks for letting me know."
The moment the call ends, the anger I’ve been holding back breaks free. I slam the phone down, the sharp sound cutting through the room. This isn’t just a lost deal. This is a betrayal, pure and simple. Someone on the inside handed Kirk the advantage — again.
The door cracks open. Janet, her face concerned, peers in.
"Everything alright?"
"Yes," I snap, then immediately rein myself in.
"Sorry. You can go back to whatever you are working on, Janet."
She does, and I sit in silence for a moment, letting the weight of what has happened settle. Months of work, planning, and meetings—gone in an instant because someone chose to play both sides.
Kirk has been a thorn in my side for months now. He’s new to the game but has already built a reputation for undercutting and backdoor dealings. He doesn’t play by the same rules, and now he’s stolen not one but three deals I’ve worked on. But this particular one hit a raw nerve.
I glance out the window, my office overlooking the town that has always been a symbol of success for me. Today, it feels like everything is teetering on the edge. This isn’t only about losing a property. It’s about trust—trust within my company, trust in the people who are supposed to have my back.
My jaw tightens as I run through the possibilities. Someone leaked the deal to Kirk. Someone I trust. And now I need to find out who.
I push back from my desk, springing to my feet. I can’t sit still. Not when everything feels like it’s slipping through my fingers. Pacing the length of my office, I mentally replay every step of the deal. I try to pinpoint where things could have gone wrong. Who could have known? Who could have let Jensen Kirk get wind of our offer?
Taking a deep breath, I force myself to focus. There’s no time for wallowing in this. I need to act, and fast. First, I’ll need to speak with the team—discreetly. Find out who had access to the details. Then I’ll have to tighten up our security and protocols. There’s no way I’m letting this happen again.
And as much as I hate it, I know Kirk will be gloating somewhere, thinking he’s outplayed me. But this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.
***
The call from Brady still rings in my head as I stare out of my office window hours later. The deal I’ve been working on for months—gone. Someone inside my company sold me out, and the betrayal stings deeper than any financial loss.
Who the hell would do this?
I lean back in my chair, trying to calm down, but it’s impossible. Loyalty is everything to me, and someone just shattered that trust. The one thing I’ve always prided myself on is loyalty—both giving it and expecting it in return. This kind of backstabbing doesn’t shake only my business, it shakes everything that I stand for. And I admit it, it only adds to the disloyalty my ex-wife showered on me.
I grab my phone and dial the one person who can help.
"Clayton," I say when he picks up on the second ring, my tone clipped and sharp.
"I need you to look into something for me."
"Nate, long time. What’s going on?" Clayton’s voice is calm, professional as always. He’s been my go-to private investigator for years, the one guy I trust to dig deep when things go south.
"There’s a leak in my company," I say, the words tasting bitter.
"Someone tips off Jensen Kirk about all my deals. He swoops in at the last minute and undercuts me with an offer."
There’s a pause on the other end, then a low whistle.
"That’s serious. Who do you think it could be?"
"If I knew that, I wouldn’t be calling you," I snap, immediately regretting my tone.
"Sorry. This last one is … big, really big. I need you to dig deep. Anyone who had access to the deal, any odd behaviors, transactions that seem off. I want this guy found."
"Understood," Clayton replies, his tone now serious.
"I’ll get started right away. Anything specific you want me to focus on?"
"Start with my inner circle. Anyone close enough to know the details. No one outside my office should have had access to this information." I rub my temples, attempting to focus
"And make sure to check for any bribes or kickbacks. Whoever did this didn’t do it for free."
"I’ll be in touch once I have something solid," Clayton assures me before hanging up.
The rest of the day drags. I sit through meetings, go through emails, and talk to my team, but my mind is elsewhere. Every interaction feels strained. I can’t help but wonder: Was it you? Are you the one who is betraying me?
By the time I wrap up for the day, I’ve been on edge for hours. Anger simmers just beneath the surface, but I push it down. There is no point in letting it show, not yet.
At least with Max, I can usually find some peace.
I pull up to the school as the bell rings. Max comes bounding out, a ball of energy and excitement, the complete opposite of his grumpy morning self. He waves as he runs toward the car.
"Dad!" he shouts, climbing into the backseat.
"Guess what? I got a gold star in class today!"
I force a smile, trying to match his energy.
"That’s awesome, buddy. Tell me all about it."
As we drive home, Max chatters nonstop about his day - how he aced a math quiz, played a new game at recess, and how Boomer is going to love the new toy he made in art class. I nod along, trying to focus, but my mind keeps drifting back to the failed deal. The betrayal gnaws at me, festering beneath the surface.
We pull into the driveway, and I glance in the rearview mirror. Max is singing to himself now, completely unaware of the storm brewing in my head. I turn off the engine and take a deep breath. This is my time with him. I can’t let work poison it.
Inside, Boomer greets us, tail wagging, barking in excitement. Max runs ahead, already down on the floor playing with the dog. I follow behind, trying to shake the weight of the day off my shoulders.
But then I hear it—laughter. From the kitchen.
Curious, I head toward the sound. What I find stops me in my tracks. Liz and Sue, my housekeeper, are standing at the counter, chopping vegetables. They are laughing like no time has passed between them. Liz is smiling wide, her face glowing in the soft kitchen light. I hadn’t expected her to look so... at home. The sight knocks the air from my lungs.
I had almost forgotten how close Liz was to Sue. Sue Westerly had worked for my mother, raising me as much as my own parents did. She’s been like a second mother to me and, by extension, to Liz too.
Max races into the kitchen, arms wide as he hugs both Sue and Liz.
"Liz! You’re still here!" he says, eyes shining with excitement.
"Of course I’m here, buddy." Liz teases, her voice playful.
I stand in the doorway, watching them, a strange mix of emotions tightening my chest. She fits here ... too well. And it's clear that Max adores her. It’s unsettling.
Sue glances up at me, her smile knowing.
"I’ve got everything covered here, Nate. You can go back to work."
"Thanks, Sue," I manage to say, though my voice sounds distant even to me. Max is already pulling Liz toward the dining table, eager to show her something. And I’m left standing there, feeling like I’m on the outside looking in.
I bend down to kiss Max’s forehead, ruffling his hair.
"I’ll be back later, buddy."
"You’re leaving?" Max asks, his face falling before he brightens.
"Oh! But Liz is here, so it’s okay!"
I chuckle, despite the chaos in my head.
"Yeah, I’ll be back soon."
As I head back out to the car, my thoughts swirl. Liz, in my kitchen, laughing with Sue, playing with Max, it all feels so... right. Too right. And that scares me more than I care to admit.
As I drive back to the office, my phone buzzes, and the car’s Bluetooth makes the connection. Bryan’s name flashes on the screen. I sigh, knowing exactly what’s coming.
“Hey, man,” I answer, trying to keep my voice steady, though the tension is eating away at me.
"Hey,"
“Nate, what’s going on?” Bryan’s voice is casual, but I can already hear the curiosity in his words.
“Okay there is something up. Is it Liz? Is she bothering you? I know she can be a handful…”
I grip the steering wheel tighter, feeling the familiar twist in my chest at the mention of Liz.
“She hasn't caused me any trouble. Max is... thrilled she’s around,” I reply. I keep it short, even though my head’s still spinning from seeing Liz in my kitchen, laughing and fitting into my life way too easily.
Bryan pauses for a beat, and I know he can sense something’s off. He’s known me too long.
“Alright, man. Spill it. I can tell something’s wrong. You sound like you’re ready to blow a gasket.”
I let out a long breath, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me again.
“That deal I’ve been working on for months? It fell through.”
“Wait, what? The Northgate deal?” Bryan’s voice sharpens, the teasing gone.
“That’s the one you’ve been grinding over for weeks, right?”
“Yeah. Kirk undercut me at the last minute,” I say, frustration flaring again.
“He knew exactly what I was offering, Bryan.”
“Kirk, the same guy that got the previous two deals you were working on?” Bryan practically growls the name.
"Yes, the same one,"
“That slimy cheat. How on earth did he get his hands on your offer again?”
“That’s the thing. Someone in my company leaked the deal just like the two previous ones. There is no other explanation,” I reply, my jaw tight.
“I called Clayton. He’s a great investigator and I have him looking into it. But you know I can't just sit and wait.”
Bryan lets out a low whistle.
“Damn, Nate. That’s a whole new level of messed up. You’re right, though. Someone is playing dirty from the inside. You have a mole.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “It’s not only losing the deal. It’s the betrayal that’s screwing with me.”
“Hold up, let’s bring Liam in on this. You know he’s going to want to hear about this, too,” Bryan says. I hear him tapping on his phone, adding Liam to the call. Liam West is the third in our trio of best friends, from grade school on. A few seconds later, the familiar deep voice of Liam comes through.
“Nate, Bryan—what’s up, guys?” Liam’s tone is steady as ever, but I can tell he’s curious. He wouldn’t be on this call if something wasn’t going down.
“Nate’s had another deal snatched right out from under him again,” Bryan jumps in before I can even speak.
“Kirk undercut him. We’re pretty darn sure someone inside his company leaked the details.”
“Kirk?” Liam repeats, his voice dropping lower. “That guy’s a snake. So, you think someone in your office tipped him off?”
“Not think, Liam. I know it,” I reply, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “There’s no way Kirk could’ve known about all these deals unless someone told him.”
There’s a long pause on Liam’s end before he speaks again.
“Alright. This is serious. You need backup?”
Bryan jumps in before I can respond.
“Of course he does. That's why I’ll handle the financial side. I can run a private audit on your employees’ accounts. If there’s any strange transactions or big sums of money moving around, we’ll find it. Whoever did this didn’t do it for free. They got paid.”
Liam adds: “I’ll get my best IT guy on it. We'll comb through everything: emails, files, and any comms that could be intercepted. We’ll figure out if someone sent something they shouldn’t have.”
The tension in my chest eases a little. These guys have always had my back, no matter what.
“Thanks, guys. I’ll send you all the details as soon as I get back to the office. I don’t care what it takes—we’re going to find the rat.”
Bryan’s voice comes through, confident and reassuring. “We’ve got this, Nate. I’ll start looking through things tonight. Once we dig into the data, we’ll find whoever did this.”
Liam agrees.
“Yeah, we’ll flush out the mole in no time. Whoever it is, they won’t stay hidden for long.”
I exhale, feeling a little lighter knowing they’re on the case.
“I owe you both. This thing’s been eating away at me all day.”
“Forget about it, man,” Bryan says.
“That’s what we’re here for. Besides, we all hate Kirk. If I could take that guy down myself, I would.”
I chuckle, despite everything. “You’re not the only one.”
There’s a brief silence before Liam changes the subject, his voice lighter now.
“By the way, I have some good news on my end. My firm recently got named in the top ten of auditing company in the U.S. this year.”
“Congrats, man,” I say, genuinely happy for him.
“That’s huge.”
Bryan laughs.
“Damn, Liam. Always showing us up. I guess that means you’re buying the first round when we hit up our spot again.”
“Hell yeah, I’ll buy the first round,” Liam agrees.
“We’ll need to celebrate properly when we’re all back in town.”
“You better believe it,” I reply, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. For a moment, it feels like old times again, the Three Kings as the town people fondly called us, unstoppable.
It started as a joke back in high school, but it stuck. The three of us ruled everything back then sports, grades, girls, whatever we wanted, we got. And even now, in business, we’ve made our mark. But now, I'm like the king whose throne is being threatened from within.
We finish up the call, and as I drive into the parking lot of my office, a sense of calm settles over me. With Bryan and Liam on the case, I know we’ll get to the bottom of it. As for Liz… well, that’s a different problem altogether, one I’m not sure how to handle yet.
But that’s for another day.
As I pull up into my office building parking lot, my phone buzzes again. It’s Sue, updating me on Max like she always does. I open the message and read the usual details. Then, without meaning to, my fingers hover over the keyboard, tempted to ask about Liz. But I stop myself. There’s no point in asking questions I shouldn’t be asking.
Instead, I fire off a simple response. Thanks for the update .
My mind drifts back to Liz. I don’t know how she managed to grow into this beautiful, confident woman. She’s no longer just Bryan’s little sister. Hell, she’s not even the Liz I remember. But as much as I want to push her out of my mind, I can’t.
Focus, Nate. You’ve got bigger problems right now.
I park outside the office, the evening settling in, but my mind is still racing. I need to deal with the betrayal in my company. Bryan and Liam are helping, but the thought of someone so close stabbing me in the back eats at me. No matter what happens, I won’t let this go.