Page 113 of Claimed By The Other Brother

"Never. Just busy."

"I heard about the case. The MediaLink situation." Of course she heard. Barbara Blackwell has connections everywhere.

"How's it going?"

"Almost wrapped up. We brought in outside help, got ahead of the narrative. Should be resolved soon."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it." A pause.

"You sound tired."

"I'm fine."

"You're always fine." She sighs.

"I worry about you, working yourself to death in that city."

"I'm not working myself to death."

"Mmm." She doesn't sound convinced.

"Have you talked to your brother lately?"

My hand tightens on the phone. "No."

"He was down here in Florida for a while. A couple weeks after... well, after the wedding situation."

I sit up straighter. "Was he?"

"Yes. I thought maybe he'd reached out to you, but I suppose not." She pauses.

"He reconnected with his ex-girlfriend while he was here. You remember Rebecca? They dated years ago."

My jaw clenches. "He…reconnected with her?"

"Mmm-hmm. Spent quite a bit of time with her, actually." Mom's voice takes on that disapproving tone she reserves for Miles's bad decisions.

"I asked him about it, and he said he felt there was unfinished business. Wanted to make sure it was completely closed off before he committed to Scarlett."

I'm gripping the phone so hard I'm surprised it doesn't crack.

"He wanted to make sure."

"That's what he said. I told him, Miles, this is something you should have done before you asked the girl to marry you. Before you humiliated her in front of everyone. But does he listen to me? Of course not."

"And now?" I ask, keeping my voice carefully neutral.

"Now he says he still wants to get back with Scarlett.Says he made a mistake. I swear, Dax, I don't understand your brother sometimes. He has no idea what he wants."

The irony is staggering. Miles abandoned Scarlett at the altar, ran to Florida to fuck his ex-girlfriend, and now wants Scarlett back. And he has no idea that I've been with her. That she's been in New York working for me. That I spent last night and this morning inside her.

"Mom," I say carefully.

"Miles needs to figure out his life. Scarlett deserves better than his indecision."

"I agree completely. That poor girl. I hope she's doing well, wherever she is."

If she only knew.