Page 8 of Temporary Vows

Knox stands at the center, as always. At thirty-three, he’s a year older than me, and calm and controlled in a way that makes people listen. We run Vale Global’s private equity arm together—strategy, acquisitions, the long game.

Levi is twenty-nine, restless energy contained behind a loose posture. Locke is twenty-eight and more measured. The two of them handle hedge funds.

We all share our father’s dark hair, solid build, and sharp European features. But that’s where the similarities end.

We couldn’t be more different from him. And from each other.

I suppose I take it to another level since I live on a different plane of fucked-up than everyone else.

My way of doing things skirts the edge of what most people would call unconventional.

People call Knox the monster. A name he picked up from his football days when he was the ferocious linebacker.

But me…

No one knows what exactly to call me. Me, the cold, callous Vale brother who treads the line of psychotic.

My brothers are deeply engaged in conversation. Probably talking about the leak. They don’t even notice my approach.

Knox was the first person I spoke to yesterday when I discovered this shit. I then called Levi and Locke to put them on their guard.

We’re meeting after I see our father so I can bring them up to speed on the latest developments.

Despite their protests, I’m taking the reins on this myself.

The vengeance is personal. But I plan to get my hands dirty. The kind of dirty I don’t want my brothers involved in. Especially Knox. He has a wife and a baby on the way. That’s where his focus should be.

The only person I’ve asked to do anything is Levi. I got him to revoke our PR and IT departments’ access to our personal equipment and work files. He also set up an external security server to protect our personal devices.

He’s good with computers. Better than me. But I’ll only involve him on a minimal basis.

Knox looks up when I get closer. The others follow his lead, their conversation trailing off as their attention shifts.

I straighten my cuffs and slip on my mask, acting like I’m not raging inside.

“Hey, there,” Knox greets me with a dip of his head. “You alright?”

“I’m here.” I give him a clipped smile and glance at Levi and Locke, who look like they’re trying to assess my mood.

“Is that a good or bad thing?” Levi prods with narrowed eyes.

“Both.” That doesn’t really answer the question, but it is what it is. I sense I’m in for the same kind of catastrophe I experienced yesterday when I spoke to my father. We spoke in the early hours of the morning when the scandal first broke. And the shitty thing about that was, he found out before me.

“When are you seeing Dad?” Knox asks.

“Five minutes.”

“Is he still adamant about this marriage thing?” He looks hopeful that things have changed.

“You bet.” I try to hold back the sarcasm in my tone but fail.

Knox’s shoulders slump, his eyes dimming. Of everyone, he knows I loathe the subject of marriage. We all know marriage is expected of us. We’re the next line of leadership. I thought I would take care of it when the time comes, but this is different. I’m being forced.AndI have three weeks to find a wife.

“There must be something you can do to change his mind.” Locke shakes his head.

“I have no plans to give up. But you know Dad. His company, his rules.” Enough said.

They get it and know if I want the COO position next year when our father leaves for England, I have to play nice. They also know I hate playing nice, but I’m a man who knows how to choose his battles, and whatever I do always benefits me.