Page 10 of The Wrong Brother

I let my voice hold a teasing edge, watching his reaction.

He laughs, but there’s something serious in his eyes. “Yeah, I have, haven’t I? You make me slightly nervous now, I have to admit.”

I give him a slow smile, holding his gaze, almost unable to contain how happy that makes me.

“Oh?” He leans in slightly, intrigued. “Well, maybe you should tell me explicitly how you want me to treat you?”

I take a sip of champagne, my heart pounding. “Like you treat the women you take to that conservatory,” I reply smoothly, a glint of challenge in my eyes.

The words make him pause, his glass hovering mid-air as he registers my meaning. He slowly sets it down on the bar, his gaze sharpening. “Alright, Jenny,” he murmurs, his voice lowering. “Let’s… discuss that. But not here.”

He takes my hand, guiding me away from the bar and leading me toward the indoor conservatory. My pulse races, my hand warm in his as he leads me through the crowd, away from the noise and distractions.

This is it. The moment I’ve dreamed of, only now it’s real, and I’m no longer the girl hoping for Brett’s attention. I’m the woman who has it.

Chapter

Eight

ZACK

Istand in the shadows of the grand hall, my eyes following the red dress that moves through the crowd, impossible to miss. Jenny. I’ve barely seen her since she arrived, and even now, I have to admit she’s transformed. She’s no longer the awkward girl who lurked around the estate, hoping for Brett’s attention. Instead, she’s blossomed, a woman with curves that draw attention, poised in that bold dress as if she was born to wear it. It’s no wonder Brett’s caught up, oblivious to everything else.

But it’s clear from one look at her that she’s still chasing something, and her stubborn foolishness is plain to see. This time, though, it’s more than just a juvenile crush on my careless brother. It’s a dangerous game she’s stepping into, one that could cost us all more than she realizes.

“Yet another party?” my mother’s voice comes from behind, pulling me from my thoughts.

I turn slightly, catching the raised eyebrow she gives as she surveys the scene.

“It’s the second this month,” she remarks, her tone laced with dry amusement.

I shake my head, a weary sigh escaping. “You all told me to indulge him. Let him be…well, here you have it.”

“Don’t be so stuck up,” she says with a smile. “He livens up the house, plus there’s a valid reason this time at least, since Jenny’s back. I hope she’s having fun.”

She takes in the scene once again, and I know she sees it just as I do. “He has to be more careful though,” she murmurs, folding her hands in front of her. “He’s engaged now to Elizabeth, and her family won’t tolerate anything that undermines it.”

This is my concern as well. Elizabeth’s family, the Crawfords, are the linchpin in a real estate empire that can catapult us to untouchable status in this world, so we were more than pleased to hear of Brett’s growing interest in her. Now that things have been set in stone, the last thing I want is for their impending marriage to implode. It’s the final step in securing a deal that’s taken years to cultivate. One reckless move from Brett, and the Crawfords could pull back, leaving us exposed, vulnerable.

I glance at my mother, who meets my gaze, her expression sharp. “He can’t afford to make mistakes now. Elizabeth’s father has watched Brett closely; he won’t approve if he sees… this,” she says, with a slight nod toward the conservatory. “And neither will Elizabeth.”

“Exactly,” I mutter, barely containing my irritation. My eyes shift back to the conservatory, where Brett and Jenny are heading, her red dress swaying as she moves, Brett practically leading her into the lion’s den. I tighten my jaw. It’s more than just a risk…this could unravel everything if they’re seen together.With Elizabeth out of town, Brett’s likely forgotten the weight of this arrangement. He thinks he’s untouchable.

I pull out my phone, scrolling through to Brett’s contact and dialing, but the call rings through unanswered. Typical. He’s too wrapped up in his own world to even pick up. I look back at my mother, whose eyes have narrowed. “Brett’s not answering,” I tell her, frustration seeping into my voice. “I’ll have to go myself.”

Her eyes flicker with worry. “Zack… handle this delicately. He’s a free agent, and he volunteered to do this. If he feels he’s being boxed in, he’ll call it off himself. Just… just make sure he understands what’s at stake.”

With a stiff nod, I turn, leaving my mother’s watchful eyes behind as I stride toward the conservatory. Each step fuels my annoyance, a quiet fury building beneath the surface. I know Brett; he’s impulsive, and right now, he’s entangled in his shallow attraction to this “new” Jenny, blind to everything else.

I reach the conservatory entrance and hesitate for a moment, glancing through the glass. Brett and Jenny are standing by the far end, framed by the sprawling indoor plants, their laughter soft but lingering in the air. Jenny’s leaning in, her eyes sparkling with the same mixture of naivety and boldness that I recognize too well. Brett’s got his gaze locked on her, an amused grin on his face, oblivious to the danger of being seen with her tonight.

I push open the door and approach, my presence going unnoticed until I clear my throat. Brett looks up, his expression shifting from surprise to irritation. Jenny’s eyes flick to me, widening slightly, but she quickly composes herself.

“Zack.” Brett’s voice carries an edge, his easygoing grin faltering. “What’s with the interruption?”

I keep my expression controlled, arms crossed as I glance between them.

“Jenny,” I call out to her. “It’s nice to see that you’re back.”

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