Page 102 of Matchmaking the CEO

"Are you playing?" I asked Maddox.

"No. I'm just making sure no one crashes and burns."

We all watched Natalie play. The silence was awkward. I usually didn't care, but I was here, and I was determined to make an effort.

Natalie looked at me, winking. She smiled, glancing between us.

"I looked up your company," I told Maddox. "All three of yours, actually. You're doing great."

The three of them seemed surprised.

"That’s great praise coming from you," Nick said.

"It's the truth. You've done very well for yourselves."

"Not like you. You started everything from the ground up," Maddox said.

"Most of these companies were in shambles after Dad left," I said in a hard voice. "So, in many ways, I think most of you were at least trying to turn a company around, if not starting it from the ground up."

"That is true," Nick said. "Although, I didn't quite understand. By the time I took over, he'd left the company for years. How had no one taken over in the meantime who could do a great job?"

I shrugged. "I've seen it before in my line of work. When a conglomerate is centered around one person, it's very hard to replace them because they typically had a very chaotic way of doing things."

"And it seems like Dad was like that," Leo said. His voice was strained. I couldn't quite believe we were talking about our father, yet here we were. It wasn't bad. Not at all. I was starting to realize my younger brothers were right. Our half brothers were part of the family and the company.

"I have so much beginner’s luck," Natalie exclaimed, coming back to us.

"Nah, I think you're just good at it," Nick replied. "Maddox, I know you said you'd stay out of it tonight, but why don't we go and play a round? Everyone is enjoying themselves too much for us to just watch."

"Okay. Let's go," Maddox said.

"How is it going?" Natalie asked, smiling from ear to ear. "I saw the four of you talking."

"I'm glad I came up tonight."

She did a small pirouette, and her smile was different, knowing.

"Natalie, what are you up to?"

"Nothing," she said.

I was suspicious.

"Fine. I'll tell you one day, but not tonight."

"Are you ready to leave?" I asked.

"Yes. I believe someone promised me he’d take care of me tonight, and I can't wait for him to make good on that promise."

"I definitely will."

I enjoyed myself this evening, but now I was ready to be alone with Natalie and direct all my attention to her.

We headed to the hotel. I liked her house, but the hotel had perks too. Namely room service and air conditioning.

“You’re quiet,” I said on the drive. “Are you tired?”

“Honestly, yes.” Her voice sounded strained.

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