Page 146 of Succumbed

Nate makes his way to my couch, unbuttoning his navy suit coat as he sits. He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he glances up at me.

“I wanted to thank you.”

My eyebrows rise as I shuck off my heels and fold myself into the armchair opposite him. Nate watches the move, his lips curling.

“Still hate shoes, I see.”

Chuckling, I tuck my feet underneath myself. “Some habits can’t be left in childhood.”

“Can’t say I’ve seen you this relaxed around me since then, either.”

He isn’t wrong. Seeing him stand up to our father, as calm and professional as it had been, had gone a long way toward helping me see him in a new light. I eye his body language, comfortable in my space.

“I could say the same for you, brother.”

He grunts, smile spreading. “What a pair we are, hm? The Livingston siblings, together again.”

Tilting my head, I hum. “Are we, Nate? Together?”

His expression sobers. “I’d like to be, Lex. If you’ll have me.”

“Is this a business proposition or a family one?” I ask softly.

He stares off into the distance, then turns to me. “It started as a business one, but I’d rather it be both.”

I smile gently. “Why are you here, Nate?”

Sighing, Nate slumps back on the couch. “Two reasons. I’d like your advice on how Greenstar should handle next steps with the State, and…” He takes a deep breath, expression turning sheepish. “And I’d like to get to know my sister again.”

“Ah.”

He studies me, his steely eyes gentle. “I’ve had a lot of time to think since Paris.”

“Come to any realizations?”

“I did. Namely, that I’ve followed our father blindly for long enough. His refusal to see reason despite the evidence your client shared…” He exhales sharply. “It has me wondering where else his decision-making has been flawed.”

“I see.”

Nate clears his throat. “I’ve been an ass to you for years.”

“Decades,” I correct.

He doesn’t laugh it off. “You’re right. Lex, I’m sorry.”

I huff. “Nate, if you think you can erase–”

“I don’t,” he interrupts, raising a hand. “I’m sorry. I mean it, and I want to prove it to you.”

Taking a steadying breath, I push the topic to safer waters. “Are you still running P&L?”

He cards a hand through his hair. “Yes.”

“I see.”

“For now.”

I cock a brow at him. “For now.”

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