Satisfaction

by Lexi Blake

  “I don’t think that would have worked out the way you think it would.”

  “I can be quite charming when I want to be. I simply rarely want to be. I prefer honesty. The honest truth is you’re not the kind of woman who can sleep with a man and not have an emotional connection to him. Why else would you wait so long to sleep with my brother?”

  “It was a whole week. Trust me, it wasn’t that long.” She’d put off Roger until a week before they decided to get married. Three months of dating before she made the decision to go to bed with him. She’d been thoughtful and made sure it was the right decision. It had been totally wrong, of course, but a lot of thought had gone into it.

  She’d wanted Bran the minute she’d seen him. Putting him off for a week had seemed like forever and roughly three hours after they’d made love the first time, she’d been chucking her clothes and going after him again.

  “You can fool yourself all you like, but you’re not a woman who takes sex lightly. You haven’t had a single lover since your divorce.”

  “Well, since he went to jail, I decided to be pickier than I’d been before.” Where was he going with this?

  “But you were so picky before. He was your first lover and Bran is your second.”

  She felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. “And how would you know that? I didn’t exactly fill that out on the dating website.”

  “I might have a file on you,” Drew admitted. “I might have sent someone to discreetly talk to some people who know you. Not in any way they would understand as investigative. My sister has a way of making women comfortable around her. She likes Meri, by the way.”

  “How dare you.” Anger flared through her. He was bringing her sister in this?

  “I dare a lot and I thought it was important. Your sister’s been used to force you to do something you didn’t want to do before. I can’t allow her to be used again. She’s got someone watching over her. I believe you’ll also find that the banking records showing she took those deposits for your husband have mysteriously disappeared. It’s amazing what you can do with a couple of billion dollars and a working knowledge of how to hack a system.”

  She stared at him and finally understood what he’d meant before. She couldn’t tell if he was a good guy or a bad guy. Sometimes good men did bad things. Sometimes good things were done by bad men to serve their purposes. “What are you trying to tell me, Drew?”

  “I’m trying to explain that no matter how this plays out, your sister is in the clear. You don’t have to worry about her being arrested. She’s out of the game, and you can be, too, if you like. There’s no longer anything keeping you at Cain Corp. I would like to offer you a job with 4L. We’re looking to buy a media company. If you want your own show, we can talk about development.”

  She felt her jaw drop. “Why would you do that?”

  “Because I think my brother is in love with you and I want you to save him. You love your sister. You would do anything for her. I would do anything for Bran. If that means buying him a wife, I’ll do it. I wouldn’t consider it if I wasn’t sure of the type of woman you are. You care about him.”

  She was half in love with him, but she certainly hadn’t expected to basically be offered cash for . . . what? “You want me to marry Bran? This is not how I thought the conversation would go.”

  He smiled slightly, the expression giving him a little levity. “I like to surprise people from time to time. And obviously you wouldn’t be marrying him right away. I want you to stay close and let nature take its course.”

  There was a problem with the scenario. “Bran was clear. This relationship is only going to last as long as we’re working together.”

  “Yes, he would be the 4L executive you would deal with.”

  Ah, so Drew assumed proximity would solve their issues. “I don’t think he wants something long-term. Even if I would consider your inappropriate proposal.”

  He groaned. “I don’t care about appropriate or inappropriate. It’s the best course of action for Bran. Did he give you the speech about how he’s not good for anyone?”

  Embarrassment flared again. “Yes. Does he use it on all women? He’s perfected it, by the way. He’s got the wounded-warrior thing down.”

  “He believes it with his whole heart,” Drew replied. “He truly thinks he’s too damaged for anyone to love and I did that to him, Carly. You’re the first woman he lights up around. You’re the first he’s fought me over. My brother doesn’t fight me over much. When I asked him to get an MBA he did it, though I knew it wasn’t his passion. When I asked him to work for 4L he did it, though I’m pretty sure he hates his job. I asked him to change his name so no one would realize we were related. He signed the paperwork without a blink.”

  “That’s why his last name is Lang? Why would you ask him . . . The revenge thing. Of course. Why did you keep it? You’re the only one, right?”

  Drew nodded shortly. “Yes. I’m the last legal Lawless. It’s protection on several fronts. The story of my parents’ death wasn’t a major event. Unfortunately, domestic violence wasn’t such an odd thing back then. The same as now. The company hadn’t taken off. It was a minor blip on the news, but my status now drags it back into the press every now and then. I’ve taken to not commenting on it or my family. I’ve also taken to using my influence to persuade any reporter who wants to write a story about that time to change their mind and refocus.”

  “So you bully them.” She wasn’t so sure Shelby could be bullied. She could be awfully stubborn when it came to a good story.

  “Only when I have to. I prefer persuasion of a positive nature. Grateful people tend be more useful than angry ones.”

  “Why keep the name at all?” Carly asked.

  “Because I can’t let my father’s name die completely. When everything is done, my brothers can come back if they choose. The point is Bran doesn’t care about much. He cares about you. I think he needs you.”

  “I’m not going to be bought, Drew, and I don’t know if you’re right about Bran. He’s never given me any indication that he wants more than what we have right now. And honestly, it’s been a week. I’ve basically lived with the man for a week and we just started sleeping together.”

  Drew didn’t seem willing to back off. “And you’re already emotionally involved. Tell me you aren’t.”

  She wished she could. He was right about that. She hadn’t been able to hold herself back. Bran made her feel alive. “He’s special. He’s sweet and I also feel safe with him. But I’ve been wrong before.”

  “You’re not wrong about him. Look, I know he wants you out of this. I think it would be better for you to stay on at Cain Corp until we’ve reached the goal, but I owe Bran. He wants you out and I’ve made it possible. If you choose to quit, there won’t be anything Patricia can do about it. I can provide you with a lawyer just in case, and she won’t ever know it’s come from me. I can have you packed up and moved to Austin in a few hours. I can do the same for Meri if you’re worried about her. There’s a slot for her at UT in their medical program. You never have to see Patricia Cain again.”

  She wasn’t sure the man wasn’t the devil. How much could she trust him? He was offering her almost everything she’d ever wanted. Unless she truly thought Bran was telling her the truth about their relationship being done the minute they weren’t working together to bring down Patricia. This could all be a clever plan to separate her from Bran early on so his brother didn’t get in too deep.

  “Why? Why do you think you owe Bran?” She needed to look this man in the eye and figure out what his motivations were. He could play a long game. That was apparent. The question was, could he truly love his brother?

  Drew’s jaw tightened. “I left him there. I got Riley out when he was eighteen, but I left Bran there for two years while I set up the infrastructure of 4L. I told myself that he would be fine. It was onl
y another year and we’d been apart for so long. I visited him when I could.”

  “How old were you at the time?”

  “Twenty-one. I found Hatch and I started working toward building 4L. When Riley aged out of the system, I forced him to go to college. I worked two jobs to put him through and every spare moment was spent on the original software that we built the company on. Hatch worked, too, but honestly in those early years he worked on staying sober more than anything else. It was easier to leave Bran in the system than to deal with a fifteen-year-old while I was juggling everything else.”

  “I can understand that.”

  “It was fine until I got a call one day and he’d been taken to the hospital. The official story was he and another girl from his foster care home had snuck out and were doing drugs at a local crack house when they were attacked by unknown assailants. The girl died. Bran lived, barely. I don’t know how much he remembers.”

  Her heart ached for them all. “That wasn’t your fault. You weren’t exactly out partying. I understand. Not completely but I understand feeling responsible for a sibling. My mother wasn’t exactly invested in our welfare. I had to raise myself and Meri for the most part. You were trying to build something for him.”

  “Do you know why I started 4L?”

  “To build something for your family.”

  “Sweet, naive girl. Don’t think we’re so alike. I built it so I could do what I’m doing today. So I could take down the people who killed my parents. I was thinking about revenge every single night as I stayed up and formulated my code and tested it. I wanted the money and the power not for my family. I wanted it for revenge. I chose it over Bran back then and he paid the price. He’s never been the same since that day. Bran was a light. That light went out and I didn’t see it again until this morning when he walked out and demanded I get him a box of condoms and a doctor’s appointment.”

  Tears pierced her eyes. “I think that means he enjoyed the . . .” Why was she trying to make less of this than she felt? Was she so afraid she couldn’t admit it? “It was meaningful to me, too. You’re right. I have feelings for him, but it’s too soon, Drew.”

  “Which is why you should take the job with me and stay close and see where it goes.” His voice had softened. “That’s all I’m asking. You don’t have to commit to anything today.”

  “Except to change my whole life.”

  “Well, it’s not that great, is it? You can’t say you love your boss. Bran would be your boss. You can say you kind of like him.”

  She shook her head. “I need a few days to think about this. I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave my job before we go to California. Have you thought about the fact that she might fire Bran in the wake of my walking away?”

  “Of course I have. I think there’s a high probability of that outcome, but I’ve thought a lot lately about what my father would have wanted. I think I’m getting old. Or it’s the fact that all my siblings are getting married despite me. My actions and stubbornness could have cost both Mia and Riley their spouses. I don’t want that to happen with Bran. I owe him too great a debt to do that to him. If she fires him, he’s out and I do the rest of this alone, as it should be.”

  She stared at him for a moment, really seeing him for the first time. He might love his family, but he didn’t know how to reach them. He was trying, trying to fix Bran’s life, trying to give Bran what he thought Bran wanted. How lonely was he to bear the burden all by himself? How hard was it to watch his siblings as they let go of the one thing that seemed to propel him forward? And yet he was willing to help them leave him behind.

  “I will think about your offer, but I’m not leaving Bran alone with her.” She’d seen how Patricia looked at Bran. She’d only asked the question to see how Drew would answer. Patricia wouldn’t fire him. She’d likely draw him in closer.

  While Patricia didn’t do it often, she did take a lover every now and then. Usually a lovely young man. They never lasted long and she was extremely discreet, but she seemed to enjoy them.

  There was no way she was letting Patricia enjoy Bran.

  Drew stared at her, his lips curling up slightly. “I thought that would be your answer. Do you know how many women would jump at the chance to have everything they dreamed of? But you want to take care of Bran.”

  “I told you I like him.” That was all she would give this man. She got the feeling that when Drew decided he wanted something, he would go after it and use any tools his opponent was foolish enough to give him.

  She moved to the table and started unloading the groceries she’d bought. She was making chicken piccata. It was simple, but she could make enough to satisfy Bran’s seemingly never-ending appetite.

  “Do you think you can forgive me for being mean to your reporter friend?” Drew asked.

  “Probably.” If he was willing to soften a little, she could do the same. “But you should know that she has no idea I know any of you.”

  “That’s likely for the best. She’s tenacious.” Drew crossed his arms over his muscular chest. “And resourceful. What’s she like as a friend?”

  Carly held a hand up. “Not going there with you because she is a friend. If you decide to bring her in on this, you can find out for yourself.” A sudden thought struck her. “Unless you’re asking for personal reasons.”

  She could have sworn his face flushed slightly.

  “No. Strictly professional.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. It was kind of awesome to see the hot nerd king blush over a girl. “You like her.”

  Drew frowned. “I do not like her. She’s annoying and she thinks way too much of herself. That being said, she is highly intelligent and it’s always best to get to know one’s enemies.”

  “It doesn’t hurt that she’s got the body of a swimsuit model and all that glorious red hair, does it?” She had him.

  He cleared his throat and suddenly looked ready to change the topic. “I might have seen some pictures of her. I rather thought they were fakes. You know not everyone is honest on social media.”

  “She’s even prettier in person,” Carly said with a grin. She had a vision of Drew sitting at his computer screen staring at pictures of her sunny friend. They would be like Beauty and the Beast. Well, if the beast was a gorgeous tech billionaire. “I’ve watched grown men act like fumbling teenage boys just to get her to smile at them.”

  “Well, that explains the arrogance, doesn’t it?” Drew suddenly sounded oddly prim. “She’s probably never had anyone tell her no.”

  It was time to let him off the hook. “I left a bag in the car. Can you run out and grab it for me? The keys are on the desk by the door. I assume I’m feeding you.”

  “I wouldn’t turn down dinner,” Drew said, flashing a smile. “Otherwise I’ll end up eating alone with Taggart, and he goes on and on about his old days in the CIA. He can really tell a torture story. I often think it’s his roundabout way of intimidating me. If we eat here with you, he might tone it down. Might.”

  She could handle Ian Taggart. She’d already figured him out. He loved to talk about his family. She’d learned he had two baby girls and a wife with an entertaining past. She would ask about them. She’d heard the wife was pregnant again. “Then I should have bought more chicken. Luckily I can fill in the gaps with some pasta.”

  Drew nodded. “I’ll go get your bag. And think about what I said. I think Bran needs you. He can get dark at times, but he seems lighter around you. I think you bring him out of it.”

  Drew turned and walked out.

  She wasn’t sure that was true. She’d never seen real darkness in Bran. Drew was shoving some of his own guilt out and seeing something that wasn’t there. Still, at times she felt an aching sadness from Bran. And fear.

  Drew’s offer was definitely intriguing, but he was being impatient. She and Bran had only recently started their
relationship. They needed time.

  Even though she was pretty sure she was already in love with him.

  She glanced out the back window. From here she could see where she’d parked. There were two spaces, though she’d only needed the one for the last few years. Now she watched as Bran’s car pulled in and Drew held a hand up, greeting his brother.

  Bran put the car in park and she could practically read his lips.

  What are you doing here?

  Taggart got out of the passenger side of Bran’s Jeep.

  Yeah, she was going to need a whole lot of pasta.

  Behind her she heard the front door open. It was a creaking sound that Bran swore he could fix with some WD-40.

  Everyone was outside. Her heart nearly stopped as she realized she was no longer alone.

  She turned and recognized the man from that night. Not the one who had talked. It was the big one who’d threatened her.

  “Hello, I’m afraid I had to come back to see you,” he said with a nasty smile. He raised the gun. “I’m going to have to have some more money. Or maybe we can have some fun together now that I’ve got you alone. Don’t scream or I’ll have to shoot. I wouldn’t want this to be over so quickly.”

  She tried to reach for one of her knives, but he was on her in an instant.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Bran frowned his brother’s way as he put the car in park.

  “Does puppy need a leash?” Taggart asked from behind his mirrored aviators. His head was back and Bran had thought he’d fallen asleep.

  “Puppy?” What was Drew doing here? If he’d come to upset Carly, they were about to have a serious fight.

  He wanted it. Spending time with Patricia had gotten him tense and angry all over again.

  “Yep, you’re one of those puppies who looks all soft and sweet on the outside and then you go rabid and bite everyone around you. So I’ll ask again. You need a leash or can you handle big brother without biting the shit out of him?”