Page 116 of The Price of Forever

There wasn’t much of a reaction from the three of them. Only soft sighs and shaking heads.

“It’s definitely true that our algorithm does syphon off money for charity,” Damian said. “And that I set it up to do that on purpose.”

“At the beginning, I thought we were being set up in some way. Specifically by Cora’s father,” Axel added distastefully. “But the more it’s dragged on, the more I realize it’s here to stay. Could he have cooked the evidence? Maybe. I don’t know. I just don’t fucking know.”

My heart beat a little faster at the mention of Cora’s father. I didn’t know why. Only that it seemed like a window of opportunity somehow.

“What about Cora’s…ex?” I chewed thoughtfully on the bacon, swallowed, and then said, “Could he have been involved too? I’m sure he doesn’t like you very much.”

Axel let out the driest laugh I’d ever heard.

“Understatement of the century right there,” Trace said, his eyes twinkling.

“No matter how connected that turd-for-brains thinks he is…” Axel paused, seeming to mull over my suggestion. Then he shook his head. “I just don’t think he’s at the level of influencing finance fraud charges.”

“He seems to be more focused on womanizing and…latex balloons,” Damian said with a smirk.

“Latex balloons?” I blinked.

“Damian did some recon work on Eli—” Trace began.

“Don’t say his name,” Axel interjected.

“And he found out that he’s into sex play with balloons. They’re called looners.” Trace laughed a little, scooping more eggs onto his plate. “Never pegged him for a balloon guy.”

I wanted to add me neither but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want them to know I’d been entertaining Eli, much less that I was going to his house tonight. Seven had reacted poorly, and I knew it would go over worse with these three. They actually had real, working knowledge of the man, firsthand experience outside of a strip club, with Cora at the center of it. No, I needed to keep this my shameful little secret. At least while I probed deeper and figured out if I was absolutely crazy for thinking Eli might have actually been talking about them the other night.

“Sounds like a winner,” I offered, eager to change the subject. Not just away from Eli, but away from the storm cloud hanging over them and all that it entailed. “Hey, do you guys wanna see the short list of apartments that I’ve been looking at?”

“You know it,” Damian said. “The one you’re going to let us pay for, right?”

I elbowed him. “I still wanna do that part myself. But thank you. I appreciate the offer.”

“How about we compromise and I connect you to our insider real estate guru?” Axel tugged on my earlobe. “And as an added brotherly perk, I’ll have them hold whatever apartment you like best so that you don’t have to worry about it going to someone else?”

I couldn’t fight the grin. This sounded like help that I could accept on my terms, but making good on their connections. In my hunt, I’d found the perfect place—a one-bedroom with a huge living room drenched in natural sunlight in the Lower East Side that could easily be turned into a practice space. Plus, it had closets, and a bathroom that didn’t form part of the kitchen. I’d gladly welcome their ability to snag it in this cutthroat market. I hadn’t dared hope it would last on the market long enough for me to even look at, so I had a few others on the list that were fine enough.

“All right, big brothers. I’ll let you hook me up with your connections.”

The three of them whooped and exchanged high fives.

“You think Seven’s gonna be sad when you move out?” Axel asked as I navigated to the browser to show them my saved apartment selections.

My stomach twisted. I tried not to think about that too much. I hated how much I dreaded the moment I’d move out and what it might mean for what had blossomed between Seven and me.

“Eh, he’ll probably be relieved for me to be out of his hair.” I tried to sound casual, lighthearted, when I was anything but. My insides clenched.

“He’s been good with you, right?” Damian asked.

I nodded, focusing harder on my screen. “He’s great. You hired a good one.”

They didn’t just hire a good one. They hired the best. The best man I’ve ever known.

My brothers and I hung out in the penthouse until almost lunchtime, then I caught a ride back to Seven’s apartment from Harry, their other driver. Seven was washing dishes when I walked in, and he barely looked at me as I entered.

“Hey there,” I called out, sounding abnormally cheery. I headed for the island, sliding onto the stool facing him, determined to make things feel normal. “We missed you last night.”

“Yeah? Did you guys have a good time?” he asked, his voice sounding hollow. He snapped the water off and reached for a dish towel.

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