Page 1 of Power Play with My Brother's Irish Friends

PROLOGUE

MIRANDA

I needed a late night of wine and a cuddle with my boyfriend. In other words, a Netflix and chill that ended with me relaxed and happy for the first time all week. Grinning at the prospect of surprising Luther, I slung the perfectly selected bottle of wine back and forth on my way across the crystalline lobby.

George, my doorman, dipped his head in a polite nod. “Miss Lake.”

“Hey, George.” I was in too big a hurry to stop and chat today. My most recent client had been one in a million, in the worst possible way. After creating a PR nightmare for himself and hiring me to help pull his image out of the gutter, he then proceeded to spend the week undermining my efforts. He was lucky as hell. I'm the best in the business. Even his asshat antics failed, but he’d driven me to the edge of my patience.

My heels clicked in a rapid staccato as I rushed across the white marble floor and into the elevator. I checked my reflection in the elevator’s mirror. Every dark strand of hair remained in place, my black suit dress complementing my hourglass figure, and no trace of annoyance on my youthful face. Good.

Luther would be home in a few hours, and I wanted to make everything perfect.

A ding and the whoosh of doors, and I crossed to my apartment door. The bright red wasn’t my favorite color choice, but it certainly made the door stand out from the stark white walls on either side. I slid my key into the lock and turned the knob, welcoming the scent of fresh ginger and thyme from the herbs I grew in the kitchen.

Luther’s coat lay draped over the bench beside the door, his keys splayed out in the ceramic bowl. I dropped mine in with his and closed the door. “Luther?” My voice came out strained, almost quivering. My pulse spiked. I checked my watch to make sure I’d not misread the time. Three p.m. Too early for either of us to be home, but I’d cut the Friday short, telling myself I deserved a treat.

Maybe Luther had the same idea. He knew I’d been on edge this week. It wouldn’t surprise me to discover he’d left work early and come home to treat me to a special meal or date.

I set the wine on the island and started toward the refrigerator with the intention of whipping up Luther and I a ravishing home cooked meal. I’d rather stay in and vibe with my boyfriend of three years. My steps faltered between the island and the refrigerator when I almost tripped over a pair of red heels. My brows furrowed. “I don’t have red heels.” And even if I did, I’d never leave them in the kitchen of all places.

Reality came in fits and starts, my brain catching up to the sight of Luther’s pants and a pair of stockings crumpled up together in my bedroom doorway. My jaw hardened, the short breaths I’d learned helped calm my anger doing nothing to settle my nerves. I followed the trail of clothing into my bedroom, and into my bathroom. Steam rolled up in waves from my luxury shower. And to beat it all to hell, Luther’s low chuckle mingled with a girlish giggle.

Hands clenched into fists, I stalked across the room and yanked open the foggy shower door. I’d known what I’d see, but the actual sight of Luther standing naked with a full hard on in front of his newest intern as he stroked her breasts sucked every single fucking molecule of air from my lungs. The noises of New York that drifted in through the walls no matter the hour turned into a ringing in my ears. I’d heard the expression ‘mad enough to see red’ but never experienced it.

Until now.

“You fucking bastard.” My voice brought both their heads around.

Luther’s eyes widened. “Miranda.”

“Keep my fucking name out of your lying mouth.” I slammed the glass door so hard it rattled in the frame and backed out of the bathroom. I had to get out of here before I threw up. Giving into that urge put the power in Luther’s hands. No way. I’d rather jump off the Manhattan Bridge naked in winter.

The door opened and Luther stepped out. “Miranda, wait.” He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist.

“Bit late for that.” The explanation and the towel. I crossed my arms and glared at him, widening my eyes to keep my emotions from showing in my face. “I’ve seen all I needed.”

“Luther?” The girl peeked around the edge of the shower door. She was beautiful, of course. Luther would settle for nothing less than perfection. I wanted to punch her right in her perfect heart-shaped face. It wasn’t her fault he’d brought her here. “I thought you said you were alone.”

I arched a brow. “Oh, so everyone at work thinks you’re single.” My voice hardened, the deep twang of anger and spite taking hold. “Good news, now it’s true.” I locked eyes with Luther.

“Come on, Miranda. It means nothing.” Luther swept dark hair from his forehead. Even now, he was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. His stomach rippled with abs he spent hours in the gym to achieve. Dark eyes smoldered when they met mine. I’d melted into a puddle the first time he turned that look on me. Now it stoked my anger higher. He waved toward the girl. “This was a mistake.”

She snapped back like she’d been struck. “Excuse me?”

So she had a little spunk in her. Good. It would take her a long way in this world.

I backed further into the bedroom. Luther followed like the rat he was. “A mistake, huh?” I held up a hand and tapped a finger to my chin. “Oh, wait. Let me guess. You accidentally brought her to my condo. Her clothes accidentally fell off. And the two of you accidentally fell into the shower together, and your dick just so happened to need a little fuck to make it all okay. Is that about right?”

“You said,” the girl started.

Luther rounded on her. “Shut up, Tracy. This has nothing to do with you.”

Good god. The fury in Tracy’s eyes matched the lava-like heat crawling through my body. I’d wanted to punch her, but we both knew the real asshole in this situation.

Tracy snatched her dress from the floor and pulled it over her still wet body. “Bastard. You said we were exclusive. Said you’d never felt this way about anyone before.” The threat of tears welled in her eyes, but she managed to push them back down. A hard slap cracked her palm across Luther’s face. “We’ve been dating for a month.” She hissed the words at Luther but her eyes were on me, making sure I realized the depth of his deception.

I almost managed a nod as I pointed at Luther. “Get out of my condo.” Another step backward. “You have until the end of the day to pack up your shit and leave. Anything of yours still here after that, you can collect it from the doorman.” I turned on my heel and marched out of the room with my head held high. No way in any fucking universe I’d let that rat bastard see how heartbroken I felt. The tears waited until I reached the foyer before they burst free. The thought of ever seeing Luther again knotted my stomach and made me cry harder. I barreled through the glass doors and out into the New York sidewalk. Car horns blared. Curses were hurled with the efficiency of a slapshot. It was the smell that knocked me to my senses and turned me left along the street until I reached my favorite coffee shop and sank into the comfort of a leather booth. I didn’t even remember unlocking my phone or dialing until Austin’s voice roared through the phone. “Hey, sis. What’s up?”

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