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“I am for now.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “It depends on if Gene’s assets are frozen and what happens with Michael Jones. If Michael’s smart, he’ll come around. If not, I have some ideas about how to handle him.”
She linked her arm through mine and started up the steps toward the house. “Are you ready to meet the other boys—Jake and Colby? I’m surprised they’re coming. They like their name and their money, but their actual family? Not so much.”
“Are they here yet?” I was nervous but also super-curious to meet Bryce’s brothers.
“They’re always late.” She rolled her eyes. “But it’s good that you’re here early—we have a lot to do.”
“We do?”
“Of course.” Daphne blinked at me. “Haven’t you heard?”
“Heard what?”
“Ha!” Daphne dragged me into the house. “There’s going to be a media blitz! We both have a starring role. Bryce is going to owe you for this—you should think about what you want as a reward. Thinkbig. Like, owning your own private island big. Hedge-fund big.”
Starring role? Reward? Think big?
I almost laughed—all I could think of as a “big” reward was Bryce’s big…body…the very one he’d withheld from me that morning!
But as Daphne maneuvered me into Gene Windsor’s mansion, I had a sinking feeling this was no laughing matter.
TEN
strategy
I’d never beeninside Gene’s home before. It reminded me of him—cold, formal, and a little scary. Breakable-looking antiques filled the entryway. An oil painting of a robed man preaching in what looked like Ancient Greece adorned the wall. Daphne caught me staring at it, and her eyes widened. “That’s an original. It’s valued at fiftymillion.”
I couldn’t believe anyone owned a painting worth that much money. “Woah.”
Daphne nodded. “If the government tries to freeze our assets, you can bet I’m hidingthat!”
“Ha,” I said, but I had a feeling she wasn’t kidding.
I followed her through the cavernous house into an enormous study. It was filled with more antiques, a massive floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, and Oriental rugs. Daphne chose an armchair, and I sank down next to her, nerves thrumming.
Before I had the chance to ask her about the media blitz, several staff members bustled in with trays of coffee and baked goods. They glanced nervously at Daphne; she was notorious for being rude to the hired help. “We didn’t realize you were already in here, Mrs. Windsor. Sorry to interrupt.”
“No worries.” Daphne sounded uncharacteristically kind. Maybe remembering the fifty-million dollar painting had cheered her? The staff set up the provisions on a long table and then hustled out, returning a moment later with a group of men and women who had to be the lawyers—they wore dark suits and glasses and wielded large laptops that could rival Akira Zhang’s. They shook our hands and introduced themselves, whispering their names. It felt solemn, like we were at a funeral, waiting for Gene Windsor’s fortune to be interred.
I waited nervously. I hoped Bryce would appear soon. Instead, two large, attractive men in suits ambled. With their tousled hair and achingly good looks, they had to be Colby and Jake Windsor. Before introducing themselves, they scanned the room, talking in low tones to one another.
Daphne shook her head. “They aresorude. Jake, Colby, get over here! Come and meet your new sister-in-law.”
“Aw, I guess our favorite step-mother needs some attention,” the taller of the two joked as they headed toward us. “Hey, Daphne. Heard you’re expecting…a lot of new TikTok followers.”
“Ha ha.” Daphne narrowed her eyes at him, then pointed to me. “This is Bryce’s wife—Chloe. You’ll be answering to her someday soon, so be polite.”
He held out his large hand for me to shake. “I’m Jake Windsor. And I’d be thrilled if I was answering to you instead of my boss-hole of a brother.”
“Nice to meet you.” Up close, I could see that although Jake looked a lot like Bryce, he had a more narrow face, hazel eyes, and his hair was lighter.
“Enough about him—I’m Colby.” He elbowed Jake out of the way and leaned down, surprising me with a hug. “I’m the baby of the family, but don’t let that fool you. I’m also the smartest, the best looking, and the most accomplished.” Colby Windsor was shorter than Bryce and Jake but was still six feet tall. He had one lone dimple, blue eyes, and enormous shoulders.
“He also has the biggest ego.” Jake rolled his eyes. “But enough about him—I heard you were young, Chloe, but jeez. Did my brother ask to borrow your lunch money right before he asked you to marry him?”
“Good one.” Colby laughed and punched Jake on the shoulder.
“Ha.” I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. And here I’d thought my blazer made me look sophisticated!
