Page 25 of For the Win
“Why are you on sabbatical?”
I make a buzzer sound. “Bzzzt. I don’t have to give you any more details, Mystery Michael. Do you know why? Because I’ve been spilling my guts over this delectable meal, and you haven’t been returning the favor. I actually think I know more about your uncles and your mother than I do about you. You deflected my work question, and when I asked where you’re from, you said ‘to the west.’ Practically everything on this continent is to the west of us. So, I can only assume you’re either aLord of the Ringscharacter or a secret agent. I don’t even know why you’re here for this anniversary party or who invited you. You could be doing anything from dating a Finn to working on one of Tanaka’s satellites.”
He chokes on his coffee. “You think Ken has satellites?”
New information. He’s on a first name basis with Ken Tanaka.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. Bex works for him, so he’s known everything about me since high school. When I graduated from college, he tossed out a comment about certain purchases I’d madewith cash, and how it’s a wonder I didn’t go blind before finals. How would he know that without satellites? And before you answer that, I don’t believe in wizards.”
I’m teasing. Tanaka might be a wizard.
Michael covers his face with one hand, his shoulders shaking. I give him a minute, because I love seeing it, even if it’s at my expense.
“Thank you for that,” he says finally, the smile broad on his handsome face. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve laughed thismuch. My father did some business with Ken years ago, so we’re acquainted. But I had no idea you knew him.”
“You’ve got a great laugh,” I tell him with a smile. “It almost makes up for the irritating way you’re still not taking the hint and answering my questions.”
He leans forward, elbows on the counter, bringing the scent of coffee, chocolate and cedar close enough to make my mouth water. “I’m single. I’m not here on a date, I don’t work on satellites and I don’t bake for a living. I’m here because I was invited, and I’ve lived in other countries on and off as an adult, but the ranch where I spent my formative years was near a little Colorado town you’ve probably never heard of, which is definitely west of here.”
He’s not dating a Finn. It’s such a huge weight off my shoulders I almost float off the stool. I’m not about cheating, and I’ve been having some thoughts when it came to Michael that I might have felt profoundly guilty about if he’d been in a relationship with someone else.
“A single rancher who likes to cook. You’re a very interesting man, Michael.” He’s a romance hero come to life, no dragon imagery required.
“You’re right about me not working the ranch,” he says hesitantly. “I worked for my father’s financial firm instead. Investigations and research. I didn’t see him that much. We usually weren’t even in the same country, which wasn’t great because the whole reason I agreed to the job was to get to know him. He passed away six months ago and I realized there was no point in me staying, since I didn’t like anyone there, and they weren’t that fond of me. I’ve been freelancing a bit, but now I’m taking some time to consider my next steps.” He frowns. “I’m a little rusty when it comes to talking about myself. How was that?”
“Much better. It’s a good start.” I get the sense that he didn’t mean to reveal that much, even though “investigations and research” was vague enough that it could mean anything and I have a few hundred follow-up questions about his father.
“So, if you’re not dating anyone and you’re not related to the family…?” I let my question hang in the air, but he knows what I’m asking.
He runs a hand through his hair. “I suppose it isn’t that big of a secret. Hell, your friend probably knows by now, since I used Seamus as one of those references he asked for. He’s the one who invited me, because my brother is his husband. My half-brother,” he corrects quickly. “We haven’t known each other all that long.”
Holy shit. Tumblers click into place as I try to keep my jaw from dropping. World travel. Father in finance. Speaks Turkish. Private tutors. “Your last name wouldn’t happen to be Demir, would it?”
CHAPTER NINE
His eyebrows go up.“You know Bellamy too?”
“I know of him,” I correct, completely thrown by the new information. He actuallyisrelated to someone here. Not a bodyguard but a brother. “You worked for your father, but you haven’t known Bellamy long? How does that work?”
His handsome face hardens, just enough that I can tell he doesn’t like the answer he’s about to give. “I’ve known abouthimfor years, but he didn’t know about me, and I got the sense no one ever wanted us to meet. Probably because I’m a bastard, not the prodigal son. I never tried to contact him because I didn’t want to cause a rift with his family.” He hesitates again. “Bellamy found out after our father died. When the lawyers read the will.”
Several dozen dramatic made-for-fiction will-reading moments flash in my head—scenes of botoxed fifth wives, outrage and secret revelations. I honestly have no other frame of reference for that kind of situation. I’ve never even aspired to having will-reading amounts of money. After adding to my savings, donating to the summer camp’s school-supplies fund and paying the bills, I’m lucky if I have any extra money at the end of the month.
That doesn’t mean I can’t imagine how shitty that entire situation might be.
“It must have been hard for both of you. Him finding out like that.”
His brown eyes flash. “Neither one of us was thrilled. But at his husband’s suggestion, I agreed to spend some time in the city, getting to know him. So far it hasn’t gone well. Still, when Seamus and the children asked me to come here and try one last time before I left, I agreed to that too.”
Before he left.And here, but not at the lodge. “Wow, Michael. You were giving off some mysterious vibes, but I had no idea they were about will readings and secret brothers. Just wow.” My eyes widen. “The kids. That’s who you forgot to do Christmas shopping for.”
It would have been his first time shopping for the four kids Bellamy adopted as his own after marrying Seamus.
He grins ruefully. “I can’t believe you remember that.”
I tap my temple. “I’m a teacher. I collect details to use as leverage when my kids start acting out.”
“Clever. And I’m not the only mysterious one. Do you want to tell me about your spying now? Before you mentioned the band, you said that’s why you were here.”
