Release!:A Walker Brothers Novel (The Walker Brothers Book 1)(48)

Sebastian grinned. “Maybe be second in command at Walker? I’m thinking maybe I could buy back in again.”

The last thing my brother would ever be is second at anything. “I’d only accept an equal partnership. You’d have to cough up the money to be a partner.”

Sebastian had studied engineering, and I’d always assumed he’d start his engineering firm. He had, after all, minored in business. Really, he’d make an incredible partner if he gave up the booze and partying.

“I could take some of the load off of you, Trace,” Sebastian said hesitantly. “I think I’d like that. I could head up some of the building projects.”

“I hate that part,” I told him with a frown.

Sebastian grinned. “Sounds like it might work.”

“I’m not moving the main offices back to Texas.” I’d worked for too long to get everything centered in Denver, and I liked it here.

“I’ll sell the property there and work here,” Sebastian compromised.

“It won’t be easy,” I warned, knowing it would be hard to sell the assets he had in Texas, including the family mansion back near Dallas that Sebastian currently owned and lived in—when he was actually home.

“I don’t need easy,” Sebastian rasped adamantly. “I just need a purpose.”

“You have one,” I answered quickly, knowing I wanted my brother with me again. I could see his determination, and I had no doubt he could clean up his act.

Sebastian nodded. “I think I do now.”

I looked at both of my brothers, wondering how I could ever have been so misdirected when it came to Sebastian. Had I done the same with Dane?

As though he could hear my thoughts, Dane remarked drily, “Don’t be thinking I’ll be moving here to Denver. I like my solitude.”

Okay. Maybe I’d been on target when it came to Dane.

“I’ll start working on selling everything off and moving right after the holidays,” Sebastian said eagerly.

I had to grin at his enthusiasm, and my heart felt lighter than it had in years. “So you’re ready to dump your social life?”

I noticed Sebastian’s whiskey was sitting idle, and he wasn’t reaching for it eagerly. I hadn’t seen him take a break on drinking since he’d gotten here.

“It was getting boring,” he answered earnestly. “I’m thinking I might find myself a woman like Eva, settle down eventually.”

“Touch her and brother or not, I’ll kill you,” I growled, only partially serious.

Sebastian raised a hand in surrender. “She’s obviously in love with you. If she wasn’t so hung up on your ass, I’d probably try to lure her away. She makes incredible pasta.”

“She’s more than just a good cook,” I said irritably. “She’s my everything.”

I realized that I wasn’t acting anymore. Eva had come to mean so damn much to me in such a short time. Separating after the holidays were over wasn’t even an option anymore. I needed her, and I didn’t want to imagine what my life would be without her. I think I’d known from the very beginning that I was never going to let her go.

“That’s pretty intense,” Sebastian mumbled. “I don’t think I’ll ever meet a woman I can’t live without.”

“I didn’t think so either,” I confessed. “But sometimes there’s nothing that can stop you from feeling that way.”

Hell, I’d tried. I’d beaten up my punching bag until every muscle in my body was screaming, but it hadn’t flung Eva out of my soul.

“Better you than me,” Sebastian countered. “I don’t want to feel that way.”

“Me either,” Dane added. “How did you guys meet anyway?”

There was nothing I wanted more at that moment than to confess everything about Eva and me. But I couldn’t. We were still trying to put our relationship back together again, and I didn’t want to ruin the progress we’d made by telling them that I’d set everything up with Eva. Besides, like it or not, she was going to be mine.

“Long story,” I answered simply. “But she’s never had it easy, and she deserves to be happy.”

“I like her,” Sebastian said openly.

“Me, too,” Dane added.

I nodded, glad that they liked Eva because they’d be seeing her with me forever.

Convincing Eva to stay might not be easy, but I’d make her love me, and she’d never want to leave. It didn’t matter how hard I had to work to get her to stay. It would be worth it if I could just keep her forever.

What if she doesn’t want to stay? You had an agreement, and she can insist on you honoring it. She’s done her part.