Page 27 of The Darkest Knight

“Bite me,” I mutter, but I can’t stop the corner of my mouth from twitching.

Zach slides in across from me, wearing his usual designer suit with the tie pulled loose and a grin that says he’s here for a good time. His charm could sell ice in the Arctic. He’s the one who actually listens to Paul, has some kind feelings for him, and calls him ‘Dad.’ Unlike Dex and me. “Congratulations are in order,” he says. “I hear the Vanhelm deal is nearly done.”

I nod, leaning back as a waiter places a glass of scotch in front of me and takes my brothers’ orders. “It’s solid. This is a good move for us. I feel it in my bones. Vanguard’s shift to renewables is exactly the direction we need to move in. Clean energy, long-term growth, better PR—it’s all there.”

Zach gives a noncommittal hum. “Dad’s still not convinced.”

“When is he ever convinced?” Dex asks, flash him a smug grin. “Paul Knight thrives on doubting Jett. Always has.”

I glare at Dex. We can talk dirty about our father, but it feels wrong in front of Zach who just shrugs. “He’s cautious for a reason. If this deal goes through—and it looks like it will—you’ve done well, Jett.”

The words surprise me, but I hide it with a sip of scotch. Praise from Zach isn’t exactly common. The waiter sets their drinks down

“The Vanhelm CEO’s supposed to call tonight,” I say, trying to keep my tone level. “I expect he’ll give us the green light. And when he does, Dad will have to eat his words.”

“Won’t that be fun,” Dex drawls, raising his glass with a grin. “Here’s to making Paul Knight choke on his cynicism.”

“Dad will come around,” Zach insists.

I’m not so sure. I expect he’ll wait for everything to go wrong and rub it in my face, but I am sick of his shit. I’m more than ready for whatever he dishes out to me.

We clink glasses, and for the first time in weeks, I let some of the tension release from my shoulders.

“So,” Dex says, after a beat. “Speaking of women we don’t talk about—what happened to Dina?”

Zach raises a brow at me, curiosity dancing in his eyes. “You were seeing her not long ago, weren’t you?”

I down the rest of my scotch and signal for another. “I broke up with her.”

“Right before Christmas?” Dex says, surprised. “Harsh.”

“It wasn’t working,” I reply flatly. “She wanted more than I could give her.”

Dex smirks. “They always do.”

Zach, ever the moral compass, fixes me with a look. “And this new one?”

I shrug, noncommittal. “Alicia. We met a few days after Christmas.”

“That’s quick,” Zach says, judgment dripping from his voice.

Dex whistles low. “Sounds like a fancy name. Does she work?”

“She’s an attorney, believe it or not.”

His eyes widen in disbelief. “You’re on a roll, brother. Out with one, in with the next. And they actually have jobs, not just trust fund babes, like the ones our boy Zach goes for.”

“I do not!” Zach protests.

“You sure about that?” I ask him, throwing my drink back with a wink. A lot of Zach’s girlfriends have been young, wealthy, and with access to a trust fund.

“I think you’re distracting yourself from something,” Dex asserts. I’m not sure what he’s getting at, but Dina threw me for a loop and now I’m starting to get paranoid.

“Mind your business, Dex.”

“Let’s leave it, guys,” Zach says, placing his arm lazily over the top of the booth. “Jett looks and sounds like he’s had a tough week.”

But Dex leans back, grinning. “Oh, but this issomuch fun.”

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