Bossy(10)

Mom met Garrett at a charity event she coordinated for his firm. They hit it off in the type of crazy whirlwind romance that only happens in the movies. He didn’t strike me as the whirlwind romance type, but maybe he has a fun side that he only shows Mom. I hope so, for her sake.

That’s never happening to me, that’s for sure. God knows I’ve had enough of men for now. Tattoo Guy got a one-night pass, but I have more important things to focus on the next couple of years than men. I shake my head, clearing my thoughts. Things like this job.

On my right is a long line of offices, most of their interiors hidden by heavy oak doors with fancy designs and bronze nameplates on them. We pass an open one, and I get a glimpse of deep bookshelves, thick carpeting and a man in a dark suit, busily writing at a monstrous polished wooden desk with gold trim. Behind him, a huge window shows the city sprawling below. Then we’re past and moving on.

We reach the far end of the room where there’s another row of even fancier offices. Each with its own front room, glass windows and doors keeping them apart from the main work area. Some are empty, some manned by what I assume are assistants or other interns like me. The corner offices are the largest, and Carl leads me to one marked Declan Riordan.

The big man’s son, and my future stepbrother.

Our parents decided it would be best if we work together. We get to know each other, and as a bonus, if I turn out to be a total screw-up they can keep it quiet. My mother assured me it was more the other way around, but looking at his executive setup here I’m not convinced. I’ve never met this guy, but if he’s anything like his dad, I’m in for a long summer.

Once we’re in the front room of the office, Carl knocks on the heavy oak interior door, his rap barely audible against the massive wood.

“Come.” The single word is muffled and clipped.

I draw a breath. This is it. My new boss. My new brother. I feel woefully unprepared. Would it have killed them to do introductions over lunch? A new job is one thing, but a new family member is something else entirely. I don’t know the first thing about him.

God, I hope he’s not a jerk.

He’s standing by the window, facing away and talking on the phone. I feel like I should recognize his rough voice from somewhere but I can’t place it. I glance at Carl, but he waits silently, not looking at all concerned that we might be interrupting something private.

I take a moment to admire Mr. Riordan’s—Declan’s? I don’t know what to call him—broad back. He might be ugly as sin for all I know, but he’s in shape, I’ll give him that. His gray suit fits him perfectly, obviously tailored. I doubt they have a lot of off-the-rack suits that fit a frame like his. It hugs the contours of his body, showing off his V shape, sloping down past his narrow hips and tight ass before dropping to his black leather shoes in sharp creases. Thoughts pass through my head that I definitely shouldn't be thinking about someone I’m about to be sorta-related to.

“A bigger yacht? Yeah, I guess three hundred feet would get a little cramped after a while.” He sounds like he could care less about boats, and where have I heard that voice? “Nah, why would I get one when I can just borrow yours? Besides, I’m too busy playing lawyer.”

I really want to slink back out so he can finish his conversation in peace. He obviously knows we’re here, but this doesn’t sound like something I should be overhearing. Carl doesn’t move, though, so I stay put.

“Alright, listen, there are some people in my office that I gotta deal with.” The snarky resignation in his voice doesn’t make me feel any better about interrupting him. “Some of us do actually pretend to work for a living, remember? You can tell me all about your fancy shit later, and I’ll pretend to give a fuck. Deal? Right.”

His voice clicks with me just as he taps his phone and tosses it with a rattle onto his massive desk.

No way.

No wonder it sounds so familiar.

I’ve heard that voice whisper much more inappropriate things at much closer range.

He turns, and his deep blue eyes go wide. Sure, his black hair is neatly combed without a strand out of place, his tattoos are covered up by the expensive suit and he’s clean shaven, but there’s no doubt about it.

The guy who screwed my brains out four months ago before taking off without so much as a goodbye is going to be my boss.

And my new stepbrother.





Declan


Is this a fucking joke?

How did she track me down? Why did she track me down? I know for a fact I kept things wrapped, so she better not be here congratulating me on my impending parenthood.

Shit.

“Carl, what is she doing here? Why did you—” I trail off, realizing I’m not the only one that looks shocked. Her eyes are wide as saucers. So why is she here?