Page 3 of Nathan

I have no intention of doing such a thing. The less time I spend in the company of my brothers the better. Bernard doesn’t know that, though, and while I’d hate to miss out on the Stefan Lowe picture, I won’t let anyone blackmail me. It’s a slippery slope to living in a nightmare. I’d rather lose it all.

Bernard’s face turns puce. He might be a dick, but he can do the math. Twenty percent of nothing is nothing. The better deal is to take ten percent of something, and if I land the role in Stefan’s move, that something will be many millions of dollars.

I settle back in my chair, fully expecting Bernard to negotiate. It won’t do him any good. I’m not bluffing. I’ll carry out my threat to quit Hollywood rather than give in to extortion.

“Fifteen,” Bernard says.

I keep my face straight and shake my head. “Ten.”

“Twelve.”

I yawn. “I don’t have all day.”

Bernard’s chin lowers to his chest, and I know I’ve won.

“Fine,” he spits. “Ten percent.”

“And the Stefan Lowe pic?”

His lips disappear, a sign of his rage. Bernard isn’t used to coming second, as no doubt his wife and his mistresses would confirm.

“Audition is next week.”

“Great.” I rise from my chair. “Nice doing business with you, Bernard. Have your assistant message me the details. And don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”

I leave the office, whistling, and pull the door shut behind me. Bernard’s cute PA—Lex? Tex?—is sitting behind her desk, clicking away on a keyboard, her face still burning from catching her boss with his pants down.

I give her a wide grin. “He might need a drink. Make it a strong one.”

I’m still laughing as I walk into the elevator. After the arrival of my eldest brother’s wedding invitation yesterday sent me into a funk, today’s joyous discovery was just what I needed.

What a fucking great day.

Chapter 3

Dex

My legs threaten to give way as I get up from my chair. What had gone on between Bernard and Nate? If Nate’s broad smile and cockier-than-normal swagger were anything to go by, he came out on top. Which means… God, Bernard’s mood will be… volcanic.

My mind is already made up for how best to handle what I witnessed. I just won’t mention it. Ignore it. Pretend it hadn’t happened. Although the latter will be a challenge. The sight of my boss’s huge pumping ass and half-flaccid cock is burned onto my retinas. I wish there was bleach for eyes… and memories.

Before I can knock on his office door, it swings open, and Bernard stomps out, jabbing a pudgy finger in my direction. “You’re fired!” he yells.

I grip the side of my desk. Bile rises in my throat, and prickles develop along my spine. “Bernard, please don’t. I need this job. You know I do. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“Damn right it won’t. I told you not to let anyone in, and what do you go and do? Let Nate fucking O’Reilly barge his way past, and now, because of your ineptitude, I’m seriously out of pocket.” Another jab of a finger in my face. “So, you, Missy, go flip burgers for all I care.”

“You can rely on my discretion,” I say, completely breaking my own rule to never mention what I saw. After all, desperate times call for desperate measures.

It’s a mistake.

Bernard’s nostrils flare, and the noise of his breathing increases as he turns glacial eyes on me. “Oh, I know that,” he says through clenched teeth. “My power in this town spreads far and wide. You’d do well to remember that.” With every word, he bends farther over me, and it takes all of my willpower not to recoil from his garlic-infused breath. “But I’m not mean-spirited.” He straightens while I almost choke at his bare-faced lie. “I’ll give you two weeks’ severance.” He turns away and, as he reaches the door to his office, he glances over his shoulder. “Now, pack up your stuff and get the fuck out before I have security frog march you from the building.”

The door slams shut, and a sob breaks from my throat. Bernard is a terrible boss, but the pay is great. I can’t afford to take a lesser paid job and maintain the payments on Mom’s nursing home.

Damn you, Nathan O’Reilly.

Why couldn’t he have done as he was told and waited? Now, I’m unemployed, and it’s all his fault.

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