Page 7 of Broken Love

It’s the same for Tan and me, too. Enlisting in the army hadn’t always been our plan. I don’t know whose idea it was, but our parents encouraged us and were proud when we told them. We did three tours before retiring and began learning the ins and outs of Graham Shipping and Exports. We served our country, and now we’re serving our family.

“Did I mention we’re taking her for dinner?” Tanner chimes in, standing across from me, an envelope in his hands and a smirk on his face.

“You’re an asshole.” Sitting back in my chair, I glare at him. Anyone else, and they’d shrink away. Not him, no, he smiles like a proud fucking peacock about to mate.

“We need to leave now so we’re not late.” I’m going to literally kill the man. Slowly. Painfully. Without remorse.

“I’m not going,” I grumble, focusing back on the spreadsheets I’ve been staring at all fucking day. How the hell is it dinner time already?

“The car is meeting us downstairs. Do not make this woman wait on us because you’re being a difficult prick.” My eyes shift from the screen to my brother, who has lost his amused smile and is now sporting the same look that told me in tenth grade that we needed to stick up for some kid being picked on because shit was happening at home and Tan didn’t think he could handle anymore bullying.

It’s the same look he gave me when we were in the trenches that saved our lives and those of our teams when we were ambushed.

Fuck. “Fine. I’ll be down in five.” With a silent nod, he turns on his heel and exits our office, where I hear him speaking with Kathleen about tomorrow’s meetings.

After shutting down my computer, I stroll to the closet and grab a fresh suit. I get changed and fix my hair in the bathroom. Running my fingers through it all afternoon has made it a little wild-looking, and I know Tan will give me shit for it.

Rolling up the sleeves of my crisp white dress shirt, I button the blue vest and make my way out of our office. After saying goodnight to Kathleen, I follow Tanner onto the elevator, and we ride down in silence.

It’s not until we’re in the car that he speaks to me again. “I know you’re against this dinner because we’re hiring her, but I think that’s a mistake. I think she could mean something to us, and I need for you to lose the attitude and be nice to her.” His eyes, the same cerulean-blue shade as my own, shine bright with emotion he can’t hide. “I’ve followed you our entire lives, Tucker. Let me have this. I know she’ll be good for both of us.”

I give a sharp nod. Tan doesn’t ask for much from me. The least I can do is listen when he believes this woman could be our future.

Tanner

Tucker is pissing me off in a way that he hasn’t since we were children and fighting over the attention of Arden when she was an infant. We’ve had the pleasure of sharing several women over the years, but none have felt as right as Windsor.

There was an immediate connection with the woman, and if I’m honest, even though I’m not sharing it with my twin, it’s half the reason I want to hire her.

I want her close. I want her to be in our presence on a daily basis. A lot of that has to do with the walls Tucker has seemed to build up around himself over the last few years. But it’s also because of Windsor herself. There’s a hurt I can see inside her, and I want her to have the opportunity to get to know us as well as we all need to so we can form a lasting relationship.

Never in my thirty-odd years did I imagine that I’d be the glue in our relationship, but here I am, and I’m willing to put in the work because I know it’ll be worth it in the end.

“Holy shit,” Tuck mutters as he gets to his feet at our table.

Glancing up, my eyes are immediately drawn to Windsor as she’s led to our table. She looks stunning in her white dress. It’s on the more conservative side, with long sleeves and the hem ending at her knees, but it’s the plunging neckline to her belly button that has me tongue-tied. White stilettos adorn her feet, and she holds a black clutch in her hand as she approaches.

“Wow,” I whisper when she’s in earshot. A beautiful blush crawls up her throat and blooms in her cheeks.

“You look…magnificent,” Tucker compliments, and I’m not sure who’s more shocked, me, him, or her. “Have a seat.” He pulls out her chair so she’s sitting between us.

“Thank you.” Her soft tone grips me by the balls. I fucking love how submissive she is. Nothing is more attractive than a woman who enjoys relinquishing control to her men. I don’t believe she realizes she wants it yet, but we’ll help her along with the knowledge.

“Was the drive all right?” I ask, at a loss for words and rational thought, it would seem.

“Yes. Traffic was busy as usual, but nothing exciting happened.” She gives a teasing smile as she glances at me.

Tucker has his hand over hers on the table, and I feel irrationally jealous. Not about him touching her, but because I’m not.

Reaching forward, I brush her hair back over her shoulder, and the image of kissing up the side of her throat while we’re making love to her body bombards me. I have to bite my tongue to stifle a groan.

“Would you like something to drink?” I finally ask as Tucker begins rubbing her hand.

“Pink Moscato?” She bites her dusky mauve lip, and I’m jealous again. I want to do that.

Jesus, I need to get a grip. Raising my hand for our server, I relay Windsor’s order, and she’s gone just as quietly.

“Sweet,” Tucker half groans, and I know exactly what he’s thinking. Just like her. I’m sure she will be. It seems my brother is listening to my request to be on his best behavior.

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