Page 10 of Succumbed

“Solum Technologies. They’ve started fresh with a new company name.”

“Here’s hoping they have better taste in business partners these days.”

“That’ll be one of my conditions.”

His eyes brighten. “You’re going to rake them over the coals with conditions, aren’t you?”

“Of course.” I smirk. “I deserve some fun.”

Van’s laugh is deep and loud, drawing an answering grin to my lips. “That you do. And they deserve a dose of humility after the shit they pulled.”

I finish my scotch and stand, taking Van’s empty glass back to the bar cart with mine.

“One thing, though, Lex.”

I turn back to him.

“You’re already burning the candle at both ends. How will you fit this in?” He cocks his head at me as he gets to his feet. “With how passionate you are about this, I take it you’ll handle it personally?”

“I haven’t decided to take it on. Yet.”

“But if we do,” he presses, knowing full well my mind is 95% made up.

“If we do…you’re right. I won’t hand it off.”

“Promise me I won’t find you sleeping in the fucking office again.”

I lean away in surprise, my lips pursing. “Of course not. I haven’t done that in years, Van. Not since I hired Miles to handle my calendar.”

“Right,” he drawls. “As long as you don’t forget to take care of yourself, this will all work out just fine.”

“I don’t forget to take care of myself,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.

“You do. Even Cami noticed. She brings you lunch every day now, whether you order or not.”

I blink up at him. His wife owned a catering business and delivered lunch to the office daily. She also happens to be one of the sweetest people on the planet, so the suggestion isn’t out of character. That doesn’t stop me from denying his claim. “She does not.”

“She does.”

My lips purse. “Fine. If we do this, I’ll work with Miles to make sure I get everything on the calendar so I don’t forget.” I wave my hand at him. “Now get out of here. I assume we’re both late for something.”

He chuckles as he leaves. “I’m sure we are.”

Chapter 4

Shane

“Where is he?”

Linc looks over his shoulder. “Where do you think? Downstairs.”

I scowl as he rolls his eyes and turns back to the game. Pulling my shirt over my head, I walk into the kitchen to grab a water bottle from the fridge. It’s been three days with no word from Athena or Lex, and the tension in the house is palpable.

I met the Wilde boys in middle school. Declan walked up to me at recess and asked me to help him keep an eye on his little brother. I’d agreed immediately, knowing firsthand the class bully was a real shithead. Our playground understanding turned into friendship, then brotherhood, and the three of us have been inseparable ever since.

“He's been down there this whole time?”

“Yeah, he went down about three minutes after you started your run.” Frustration is evident in his tone, as it has been for weeks, particularly about Dec.

---