Page 157 of Succumbed

“Boss, are you trying to distract me?” he rumbles.

Smirking, I pat his chest. “You’re a big boy, Declan. You’ll manage.”

His eyes burn at the challenge, squeezing my hip as he kisses my forehead before stepping back.

“I’m glad you’re all here.” I reach out to take Shane’s hand. “Nate mentioned something the last time we spoke, and I wanted to hear your thoughts. All of you.”

Shane’s fingers tighten around mine. “Let’s hear it.”

“He suggested you could go after Anne-Marie, sue her for damages to your company, and to each of you personally. He’s even willing to help us build a case, if that’s what you want. And you know I'll support you, whatever you decide.”

Linc and Shane look to Declan. He smiles softly, and my heart twists in my chest.

“Honestly, Lex, we’ve given her enough of our time and energy. Anne-Marie is in our past, where she belongs. I, for one, would much rather focus on something brighter.” His emerald eyes flash as they flit to his brothers and back to me. “Our future.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Shane murmurs, while Linc nods with a wide grin.

“Very well.” A smile tugs at my lips. “Happy hour started a few minutes ago. Why don’t you go get a round and find Parker?” I kiss Shane, then Linc. “I have to greet the rest of the board before things get underway.”

“We’ll see you after, then?” Shane asks.

I nod, then hold up my hands, shooing them away.

“Now who’s the distraction? Go, begone with you, guests of honor. And good luck!”

They obey, Linc walking backwards with his lip between his teeth as he rakes his eyes over me. I laugh as Shane stops him from crashing into a side table, turning him around by the shoulders with a firm tug.

“Lex! This place is ridiculous!” a bright voice calls behind me as they disappear around the corner.

I turn to the front door, smiling as Preston Brooks steps through in a bold red chiffon gown with a high neck and a slit to mid-thigh. I’d asked all the Brightest in the Bay board members to use the front entrance, while the majority of the guests are being sent through the lavish side gate to the gardens.

“I’ll take ridiculous as a compliment,” I laugh, embracing her.

“You should! I’ve never seen so much marble. You could make this a wedding venue, for fuck’s sake.” She looks around, brown eyes wide.

I chuckle. “It’s so good to actually see you. You’ve been dialing in for most of the board meetings the past few months.”

Her smile falters, almost imperceptibly. “I’ve been on the East Coast a bunch.”

“I see.” When she doesn’t elaborate after a moment, I smile, letting her keep her secrets. “Shall we? The rest of the Board is either in my study or still on their way.”

She loops her arm through mine as I lead her down the hall, eyeing my dress. “This color is divine. Are we both arriving fashionably late to our own party?”

“Is there any other way to do it?” I whisper conspiratorially.

Her answering laugh announces our arrival as we reach my study, faces turning towards us with matching grins.

“Welcome, everyone,” I say, bowing my head briefly. “Thank you for being here.”

Preston snorts. “I think we should all be thanking you for this stunning venue you so kindly donated, Lex.”

“Nonsense,” I protest over the chorus of agreement. “It’s my pleasure. Enough about that. Let’s go celebrate this year’s Brightest, hm?”

As much as I love the Bay’s startup community, I’m ready to send them all home. The winners are all deserving, and I am beyond pleased to be celebrating their successes, but my eyes keep drifting to Linc, Shane, and Declan. The manicured gardens, sparkling lights, and impeccably dressed crowd melt away as I watch them, my mind wandering to inappropriate places.

Nate arrived shortly after things got underway, making a beeline to greet me. We’ve found time to reconnect roughly once a week since he showed up at Athena, and he helped us fully navigate the intricacies of taking over a government contract. I can’t call him a friend yet, but we are certainly on our way to something…more.

The program wound its way through various categories, recognizing the Brightest startups by industry, special interest, and community impact. We’re finally coming to the headline award of the evening, known simply as the Brightest, which celebrates the startup with both an impressive debut year and significant community impact potential.

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