Page 59 of Succumbed

I don’t acknowledge the eyes that follow me as I walk through the space. Being recognized was normal, particularly at other VC firms, but there’s an undercurrent of tension that comes with being in my family’s domain. The media named our relationship a rivalry, and, from what I’d learned from the few former employees in my circle, P&L loved to play into that narrative.

The assistant I’d known would be there looks up in surprise as I walk to Nate’s closed door.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Livingston isn’t–”

“He’s expecting me,” I interrupt, opening the glass door and stepping through.

My eyes meet Nate’s as I let his door swing shut. He sits at his desk, phone to his ear. The picture of the accomplished businessman, his white dress shirt is wrinkle free, jaw perfectly shaven, and brunette hair immaculately styled. His gaze narrows as I wander over to the windows along the opposite wall, peering out at the forested view.

“I have to go, Reginald. I’ll call you when I have an update.”

I hear the soft sound of the phone settling into the cradle and turn to him with a knowing smirk. “Reginald, hm? How is our old man?”

“Why are you here, Al–Lex?”

Using my preferred name without correction…huh. It’s a start. “It’s a shame I haven’t gotten a tour of your space yet, Nate. Though it does feel awfully familiar. Did you actually copy the layout of Dad’s floor at HQ, or…?”

Nate glares. “Spare me. Are you here for a reason?”

“My time is far too valuable to be here without one. You should know that.” I gesture to his office and the bustling activity beyond the door. “Looks like you’re doing well.”

“We manage,” he concedes, standing from his leather office chair.

I turn my gaze back out the window. “I’m sure you do.”

Nate sighs heavily behind me. I hear him move closer, then glance up as he draws shoulder-to-shoulder with me. He doesn’t look my way, just shoves his hands in his pockets and looks straight ahead as I am.

“What did Reginald have to say?”

“If you’re wondering if he knew I hung up with him because you were here, he didn’t. I've had enough of a headache today.”

“I’m surprised you missed the opportunity to put me back on his radar,” I muse.

Nate scoffs. “You’re always on his radar. He has news alerts set up and everything…”

His voice trails off, as though he didn’t mean to share that nugget of information. I look over to find his brows drawn, gaze on the floor.

“I have news alerts for you, too.” His gray eyes fly to mine. I shrug. “It’s nice to know about your accomplishments.”

“You’re not just trying to get an edge on us?” he teases, but there’s bite to it.

I snort. “I don’t need a news alert to keep my edge on you, Nate. Athena’s just fine, and you know it.”

He huffs. “Dad knows it, too. Drives him nuts.”

Grinning, I catch his eye. “Can’t say I hate that.”

“You shouldn’t. I’d be damn proud of it if it were me.”

Our eyes meet, amusement twinkling in his. Every once in a while, I caught sight of the little brother I used to know. There was a brief time, as kids, when we’d been inseparable. Before I shared my dreams with my father, before he pulled Nate away to learn the family business, before we were pitted as rivals.

Nate clears his throat, then turns to face me. “So, what can I do for you?”

My lips curl. “Well, that’d be a first. You doing something for me willingly? Whatever would Reginald say?”

He rolls his eyes. “What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him.”

Gasping in false indignation, I put a hand to my chest. “Nathaniel! How uncouth!”

---