Page 2 of Room One Hundred and Eighteen

The elevator heads down to the lobby of the building with no stops and I dart out when I hit the lobby of the building, tapping my way across to the security desk.

“Hey, Jack. Did you see anybody or let anybody in the building since everyone left for the night?”

He shakes his dark head and smiles. “No, ma’am. I haven’t seen anyone but you since the building cleared out.” His eyes darken with sorrow and I brace my slim shoulders for what’s coming. “I was sorry to hear about your parents today. They were a wonderful couple. So good together.”

I nod my head, my smile strained. “Yes. We’re all a little stunned. Thank you.” I step away from the desk, rapping it and then turning sharply to stride to the doors.

My head is killing me again and I’m too tired. I just want to go home.

But my eyes drift down to the card I’m still holding in my hand and I eye it cynically.

Should I bother taking this little invitation? Especially since the distraction it promises might not work. Since I might wind up in a situation that I’m not prepared for. Since I have no idea who managed to sneak into my very secure office building and leave me that little surprise.

It’s dangerous and reckless. But I feel like that’s exactly what I need right now. A little bit of recklessness to distract me from the fact that I’m all alone now. Nobody cares about me at all.

My mind drifts back to my friends from school and I grimace. There’s no use going that route. That door is closed and bolted securely.

None of them will ever forgive or forget what happened. Even though I know the truth now. It was in a letter from the attorney.

CHAPTER 2

Reid

“Well?” I don’t need to finish the question. They all know what I’m asking and Cash nods his dark head, his harsh features tightening.

“It’s done. I put the bait out for our little princess. Now we just need to make sure we’re there when she wanders into the trap.”

“How did you get inside the building?” Max asks, his dark brow lifting curiously.

I smirk and shoot him a challenging look. “Jealous, Max?”

He glares back at Cash and I. “I just don’t want to be arrested for participating in something illegal. Cash has been known to flirt with the edge of legal to get some of our projects done.”

Cash growls and stands up straight, his muscular body so tense, I swear I see the seams popping on his t-shirt. The man refuses to wear a suit, even to work.

“Man. I don’t ever do anything illegal. I am always totally aboveboard.” He smirks and his body tightens even more. “If you think you can do my job…feel free, asshole.”

I hold my hands up. “Hey, assholes. No fighting. We’re about to get everything we want in this world and I know we’re all on edge but this is not happening.” I turn towards Max and frown at him, watching his green eyes darken. “You’re usually the most calm of all of us. Why the hell are you trying to start something with Cash? He was doing exactly what we asked him to do and we both know that he would never do anything illegal.” I shoot Cash a censorious glance. “But we also know that you get close sometimes. So don’t act like you’ve never done anything close. I wasn’t born yesterday.”

Both of them glare at me and I smirk. “I’m sorry but the truth hurts. Don’t let the stress get to you guys! We’re so close. Get this shit out of your systems before we get Court where we want her because if you make her run by causing a bunch of drama that nobody needs, I’m gonna kick your asses.”

Max sighs and runs his big hands through his hair. “I’m sorry, man.” He gives Cash a look that shows his sincerity. Max is usually a good man and he’s our peacekeeper so the fact that he’s so on edge without Court is shocking.

It’s not like we all haven’t been waiting for this moment since high school. We’ve built our business up, taking over for my father and his friends when all three of the idiots decided it was time to run off with the women they met. Single for such a long time that they lost their minds when they met their women.

Not that I blame them. When my mom died, my Dad became an overworked single dad with a focus on me and the business that was shocking.

I couldn’t get a minute’s peace from him most times. He was up my ass, insistent that one of these days, I would become the future of Braxton Industries.

I knew that I would take over for my Dad but I also knew that I would need help. And who better than the boys who grew up with me and were the sons of my Dad’s best friend.

But we almost broke off and dissolved our friendship and our business when we met Court. I knew instantly she was mine. So did my best friends. That fact almost destroyed everything we were working for.

Until my Dad and his best buddies sat us all down and told us that no woman was worth killing everything we could have in the future. And then they brought up the fact that we did everything else together so why couldn’t we do the same thing with our woman.

I remember staring at my Dad like he’d lost his mind. Because who the hell expects their parent to spout that kind of shit.

But when we thought about it, it made sense. We’re all jealous fuckers, for sure.

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