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I groan. "Did you see what Antonio did to my face?" I walk over to the wet bar and pour a bourbon. I don't care that it's ten in the morning.
"Yeah, I saw you after the fight."
I take a large swig of the drink. "I don’t want to fight with him again. It’s not right."
He walks over to me. "You're not the type of guy to back down from a challenge. Antonio will get over you and Cassidy being together. You need to give him time."
“Cassidy was just a conquest, like every other girl I’ve slept with,” I tell him, lying. “It’s not worth the trouble.”
Ezra stares at me with disbelief in his eyes. "Do you really believe that?"
I shake my head and turn away. I know it's a lie, but I don't want to admit it, even to myself. I look out of the floor-to-ceiling windows of my penthouse and watch the busy street below. I used to love my home. It was my sanctuary. Now, it feels like a prison. I miss Cassidy's smile, her laugh, the feel of her skin, the smell of her perfume, and the things I would do to her when we were in bed.
“Your fuckin’ lying!” Dane points at me. "I remember the way you looked at her over dinner. You love her. Why are you trying to hide it?"
I rake my hands through my hair. "What the hell am I supposed to do?" I look at my brothers. "I mean, look at me. I've spent my adult years building a business and conquering women. A man with a steady girlfriend. That was never me. How can I be sure I've even changed?" I finish the drink and slam the glass on the table. "A leopard doesn't change its spots." Tears prick my eyes, and I turn away.
"Ivan," Ezra says softly. He puts his hand on my shoulder. “You can change, and you have changed."
I shake my head. "I don't want to hurt her."
Dane chimes in, "You're hurting her more by being away. Trust yourself. You always brag about how your gut has never led you wrong."
I slump onto the couch.
"What does your gut say?" Ezra asks.
Taking a deep breath, my gut surges with determination, and I smile as clarity strikes--I love her. "I want her. I remember when I first met her in the club." I smile at the memory. "She was sexy as hell, and she rejected me! The first woman on earth to reject me."
My brothers laugh.
"I bet that was a huge hit to your giant ego," Dane chuckles.
I lean back on the couch. "It was. I've never met a woman like her. She doesn't reel in admiration or pursue me for money or pleasure; she likes who I am underneath it all.” I think about the meals I've cooked for her. "I cooked for her, and I've never done that for anyone woman before. She's so genuine." I look at them. "As you know, that is rare in our world."
My brothers nod in agreement.
Ezra says, "A woman like that is worth fighting for."
Dane smiles and asks, “How does she feel about you?"
I look at my phone. "I don't know. I haven't heard from her since she left." I frown. "I know she has feelings for me, but I don't know how deep they run."
I stand up. "But I'm going to find out." I look at my brothers with determination in my eyes. "I'm going to Boston."
"About time," Ezra says.
They leave, and I head upstairs to get ready. I shower, get dressed, and email my assistant telling him only to contact me in an emergency. I look at my watch. I could drive, but I want to get to Cassidy this morning. The jet it is.
As I'm preparing to leave, my doorbell rings again.Who the hell is it this time?
I yank the door open with a scowl, half anticipating seeing my father. He rarely visits, but when he does, he usually complains about me and how I've disappointed him.
I open the door.
"Antonio."
He steps in, but he does not look happy to be doing so. “Whose daughter is upstairs this time?” He asks. “At least I know it isn’t mine.”
