Page 68 of The Re-Proposal

“Running from Doberman. Not immediately reportingthis.” He flails the letter. “Don’t make it difficult for me or the details assigned to you. I want to keep you alive. You’re my brother.”

“Alright. I got it.” I roll my eyes. “Being with Island made you fussy. You’re worse than mom.”

His eyes fall to the ground.

I note his sagging shoulders and wipe the smile off my face. “I’ll be careful.”

“And bring your kid around so we can meet him. I don’t care how temporary it is. He’s family now.”

“I will.”

Clay marches out as sternly as he’d arrived.

I sink into the sofa, fighting back a weight in my chest. Seeing my brother always makes me feel off-balance. Like I’m that scrawny kid reeling from our parent’s divorce, screaming for him not to leave me.

My phone rings in the silence.

I answer with my eyes closed. Exhaustion steams in my voice. “Hello?”

“Mr. Bolton.”

I zip to attention. “Ms. Phoebe.”

“My apologies for calling this late.”

“Don’t apologize. You can call me anytime.”

“I spoke to Clarissa…”

I hold my breath.

“… And she’s agreed to accept your sponsorship.”

All the exhaustion disappears and I pump my fist, grinning.

“But,” Ms. Phoebe adds, “we have a condition.”

“Anything.”

“You must get Erica back. Preferably without using bribery.”

I freeze.

“On top of that, we want you to come in once a week and work with our ladies. Teach them business skills. Help them to think like the CEO of a major company. You said you wanted to roll up your sleeves and help. This is your chance to show it.”

“Was this your idea or Clarissa’s?” I ask.

“What does it matter?”

“It matters to me.”

“Clarissa just wanted the investment.”

It’s exactly what I expected, but I can’t ignore the disappointment that detonates like a bomb in my chest.

“But,” Ms. Phoebe continues, “I think there’s more to you than your suits and your swagger, Mr. Bolton. I want to give you a chance to show it. Do you accept those terms?”

I switch the phone to my other ear. “You know I’ll say yes. I haven’t hidden my intentions.”

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