Page 15 of Four Stepbrothers for Christmas

As the weight of our shared secret loomed over us, the stillness of the room was broken by the distinct sound of the office door clicking open. Isaac stepped in and his knack for reading a room had his brows puckered together. His sharp eyes darted between us, immediately picking up on the shift in the atmosphere.

"You three seem awfully intense for just vacation planning," he commented dryly, his eyes finally settling on me. Damn, he was good.

Luke shifted in his seat, glancing at Archer, as if silently begging him to take the lead. Archer cleared his throat, looking unusually uncomfortable. "It's... a bit of a situation," he started hesitantly, recounting his recent discovery about Becca.

He told Isaac about what he’d heard and how she’d mentioned each one of our names. There was no doubt what she’d been fantasizing about.

Isaac listened, his face betraying no emotion. His brow slightly furrowed, and when Archer finished, he took a deliberate breath. "No. Absolutely not," he stated crisply. "She's an employee. Getting involved with her could land us in a lawsuit nightmare. Not to mention what it'd do to our reputation."

His practicality was both a blessing and a curse, but I couldn't hold my tongue any longer. "Isaac, come on," I scoffed, leaning back into my seat, trying to keep my voice smooth and level, but there was an edge to it, unmistakable even to my ears. "We're not animals. It’s not like we're going to corner her. Not a single one of us would ever force her into anything."

Luke chimed in, his tone firm. "If she says no, then it’s a no. Full stop."

Isaac pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's not that simple. Perception is everything. If even a whisper of it got out, the ramifications could be damaging, especially in this climate."

"I get where you're coming from," I said, choosing my words with care. "But isn't this also about mutual respect? Becca isn't just some naive intern. She’s sharp, intuitive, and knows how to handle herself. If she ever felt uncomfortable, she’d let us know and we'd address it."

Archer, ever the peacemaker, tried to broker a middle ground. "Look, we're not jumping into anything. We're just processing what I heard. I agree with Isaac, we need to be careful. But Vinnie’s got a point too."

Isaac glared at me, as if he could transfer the weight of his responsibility onto my shoulders through sheer will. "This isn't some fling, Vinnie. This could have consequences."

I smirked, the irony not lost on me. "Isn't that the point of a vacation? To escape consequences for a while?"

He shot me a look that could freeze molten lava. "You know what I mean."

Sighing, I stood up, stretching. "Look, we all know where we stand. It's a delicate situation, but we're not rookies. We'll handle it with maturity."

I leaned back, staring at the amber liquid in my glass and let the weight of the silence rest for a moment before responding, "Isaac, from what I've seen, I don't think she'd be uncomfortable with us at all."

Archer nodded in agreement, casting a sidelong glance at our friend.

Isaac, not one to be easily swayed, ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. " She makes it awfully hard to resist." There was a flicker of something in his eyes, a hint of vulnerability. "But resist we must."

I chuckled, more out of disbelief than humor. "Really? You think we should just deny what's so palpably there? Let's give her the choice, at least."

Archer's voice rose, emphasizing his agreement, "Exactly. Who are we to decide for her?"

Isaac's jaw clenched, a physical display of his resolve. "It's about the company, Vin. Always has been. We've worked too damn hard to let anything threaten it."

With a smirk, I shot back, "Come on, Isaac. It’s not just about the company, is it? I've seen the way you look at her. The way all of us look at her. And it's not with boardroom eyes. It's deeper than that."

His eyes flashed, but his voice was controlled. "The company has provided for us all these years. We can't throw that away on a whim. She's an employee. We have responsibilities."

Archer, the balance between Isaac's caution and my brazenness, stepped in. "Isaac, the company isn't everything. We're more than just the titles on our office doors."

Isaac shook his head, the lines of worry on his forehead more pronounced than ever. "But to risk everything for what? A few days of fun?"

I stood up, my voice smooth yet filled with conviction, "It's not just a few days of fun and you know it. There's a connection. An energy. Why deny something that feels so right?"

Isaac took a deep breath, his hands resting on his hips. "It’s not as simple as that. And it's not just about me. What if things don't work out? What then?"

Archer sighed, running a hand over his face. "We're adults. We deal with it. Like we always have. Like we always will."

The air was thick with tension, unspoken emotions, and the weight of decisions to be made. It wasn't just about Becca. It was about the balance of power, trust, and priorities. Three brothers, bound by blood and business, now navigating uncharted territory with their best friend.

Luke cleared his throat, drawing our attention to him. When he stood up, the room seemed to hush in response, waiting. Over the years, I had grown accustomed to valuing his perspective, knowing that he always seemed to find the path that straddled caution and opportunity.

His voice was calm, even-handed. "I think you're all right in your own ways. Isaac, your concerns about the company are valid. It's our livelihood. It's our family legacy. It's more than just numbers on paper—it's our blood, sweat, and tears."

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