Chapter Thirty
Rhys
Sacker’s due diligence is exceptional. Not a single mistake or issue.
There are some bosses who stop reviewing once they get to my level, but not me.
My reputation is on the line for every investment and acquisition we make.
Best to make sure I’m not going to regret it.
I send a quick note, commending him for the job well done, and roll my shoulders.
The assessment took longer than anticipated, forcing me to scarf down a sandwich at my desk.
But I needed time to calm down. Max’s proximity in the car did nothing to alleviate the need burning inside me.
Sadly, she reverted to assistant mode the second the door closed at the mansion.
She didn’t even notice how hard I was. Or maybe she did, but didn’t care.
I’ve always been aware of her, but now it’s almost impossible not to think about her. Is it because we slept together? But I wasn’t this distracted yesterday. Is it the idea of living with her, waking up next to her in bed?
I should’ve skipped the gym this morning and just had very athletic sex with her before her brain got a chance to take over.
But guilt and ego wouldn’t let me stay in bed.
I haven’t had a decent workout in so long, and having a nice body is a matter of pride.
Mine better be the best she’s ever seen.
My phone buzzes on the desk with a text from the group chat with my brothers.
–Silas: So you’re dating Max?
–Me: Who told you?
–Silas: Frederich.
Fucking Frederich.
–Silas: He said you shared your dinner with a certain someone named Max.
–Finn: Picture me nodding. I saw them get out of the Cullinan together.
–Liam: I’m heartbroken I’m finding this out after Silas and Finn. And Frederich. Oh, and Angelo.
–Gideon: Don’t be too sad, because I don’t rank that high either.
–Me: Don’t be ridiculous. I’m a big believer in equality.
–Xavier: Equal hating.
–Me: :eye-roll-emoji: :shrug-emoji:
–Finn: Does Czarina know?
–Me: Not unless a certain busybody whose name starts with Fr told her.
–Xavier: Good. Max seems like a nice girl, and she doesn’t need any weird flak from Czarina.
–Gideon: Frederich could’ve betrayed you. He isn’t like us.
–Silas: Don’t worry. I told him he better shut it if he wants any of my French tarragon for his garden. His just died when his neighbor’s puppy dug his up.
I wince. That old man probably cried his heart out. He loves fresh French tarragon.
–Me: Thanks for watching my back. Anyway, yes, I’m with Max. After Czarina’s visit and pressure, I had no choice. And Dad’s shenanigans, too.
I give them a succinct summary of what she asked of me, then what Dad did with that threesome stripper.
–Liam: I have no words.
–Xavier: I’m sorry…but also glad he didn’t use my name.
–Me: Taking one for the bros.
–Liam: You always do.
A corner of my mouth lifts. It’s my pleasure, shielding my baby brothers.
–Me: By the way, Finn, could you take over my afternoon meetings?
–Finn: What’s up?
–Me: Just things to do.
–Gideon: Don’t go to Czarina unless she summons you. Nothing good will come from it. She wants nothing less than a virgin who bleeds blue for your wife.
–Me: She can wish until the sky turns green. I want to spend some quality time with Max.
–Silas: Wait, you’re going to skip work to play hooky with your girlfriend?
–Gideon: Sounds like you’re sick. Like, terminal cancer sick.
–Xavier: More like terminal pussy-on-the-brain.
–Me: I’m healthy, no cancer in the family, you know that. I just want to prep Max before Czarina learns about my new relationship status.
I need to get her battle ready before Czarina summons us. Max doesn’t tolerate bullshit and can probably hold her own against Grandma, but it’d be remiss of me not to equip her properly first.