Page 56 of Broken Boss

“No. That’s not it.”

My older brother laughs in that frustrating, I know better than you way that’s always driven me crazy.

“Maybe that’s what you want to think, Chris. If you ask me, you’re wrapped up too tightly in this. You need some help. And I don’t just mean venting to me over a pastrami sandwich.”

He pulls out his cell and I frown, not sure what he’s getting at. A few seconds later, my own phone vibrates. A group message.

He’s looped Jenson into this—just one sentence.

Hey, can you do some digging around on someone for us?

“Nate, this isn’t?—”

He holds up a hand. “You’re the one who wanted to create some trinity of brothers, remember?” I shut my mouth tightly, recalling just how opposed Nate was to meeting our younger half brother. “You want us to get along? If anyone can find out more about this Autumn…”

“Cavendish.”

“Right. If anyone can, it’s Jenson.”

Nate quickly types out her name and hits send. Despite it being close to midnight, Jenson answers fairly quickly.

Isn’t this something Chris can handle with his own resources? Happy to help, just asking.

I start to type out a response, but Nate beats me to it.

Chris is in too deep on this one. Also, it’s a coworker. Need to be discreet.

I’ll see what I can do, Jenson answers. Have to ask though—is this the kind of “coworker” that got me into trouble?

He’s referring to Melanie, his wife, who was also his employee. The similarity of our situations hits me right then—how did I not notice it before?

But no, this is different; Jenson and Mel had a history. They were made for each other, fated to end up together.

Autumn and me…we’re a mess. A constant push and pull, like waves on the sand. She draws me in like the tide.

“Let him do his work.” Nate sighs. “We’ll reconvene in the morning. Think you can get home and try to get some sleep?”

“I’ll give it a shot. Thanks. And sorry for dragging you out.”

We stand, clasping each other’s forearms in a tight grip. Still brothers, still on each other’s side, no matter how crazy our lives get or how much money is in our bank accounts.

Hours later, I wake up to a string of texts. And then a phone call as I squint at the screen.

“Wake up,” Jenson bites out.

“You there, Chris?”

Nate is on the call, too. I sit up, frowning.

“Yeah. Morning. What’s up?”

“Nate filled me in on the rest of this situation, and you need to stay away from this woman,” Jenson warns. I bury my face in my hand, wishing Nate had given me the chance to explain.

“Jenson, it’s not?—”

“It is serious, if that’s where you were going with this. ‘Cavendish’ is not her real name. It’s Cooper.”

A bottomless pit opens up in my stomach.

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