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“Doesn’t matter. What matters is we finally have enough to oust him?”
My brother’s face darkens as he reaches for a particular document. He holds it high and says, “This medical report...it’s fake, isn’t it?”
I nod grimly. “Dad had it prepared. Somehow got it sanctioned as fact.”
East runs a hand through his hair. “Jesus. This would put him in jail.”
“It would also bring the business to its knees,” I add, my voice tight. “This is the cost of bringing our father down, East. He’s a vindictive bastard.”
My brother’s eyes meet mine. Understanding dawns in his gaze. “You think he might release it himself?”
“If we try to use it against him.” I lean against his desk, arms crossed, and grimace when my shoulder pulls. “It’s a possibility we can’t ignore. Dad would rather watch everything burn than lose control.”
East falls silent, flipping through the file again. I can see the wheels turning in his head, weighing our options.
“We need to be careful,” he finally says. “One wrong move and we could lose everything we’ve worked for.”
“Or we could walk away and wait for the day he hands the business over.”
“Fuck no! He thinks since you met Amelia that you’re his perfect son and because of that, is hinting that I should get married. Telling me I need a wife.”
I laugh. “You knew it would happen when he set you up on that date.”
“I’m not interested in anyone. I won’t find my Amelia,” he says, a little sadness coats his words.
“You could always ask Sloane on a date.”
“Fuck no. She blew it eleven years ago.”
“And you have never forgotten it.” I can’t help but chuckle at East’s insistence that Sloane is not the one. “Maybe Dad’s right for once. You should find someone.”
East’s face contorts into a grimace. “Not you too. I’m not joining the wedded bliss club anytime soon.”
“You say that now, but wait until your niece or nephew is born. You’ll be singing a different tune.”
His eyes widen, jaw dropping. “Wait, what? Is Amelia pregnant?”
“No,” I reply, unable to keep the grin off my face. “But she will be soon. When I convince her to throw away the birth control.”
East leans back in his chair, shaking his head in disbelief. “Jesus, West. You’re really going all in on this, aren’t you?”
I shrug, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at the thought of Amelia and our future. “When you know, you know.”
“And what about the company? Our plans?” East asks, gesturing to the file on his desk.
“The company will still be here,” I say firmly. “But Amelia...she’s changed everything for me. I can’t risk losing her over this vendetta against Dad.”
East studies me for a moment. “I get it. I do. But where does that leave us? The plan we had?”
I take a deep breath, considering my next words carefully. “I’m not saying we abandon our plans entirely. But maybe we need to rethink our approach. Find a way that doesn’t risk everything we’ve built.”
“And if Dad decides to throw the bomb, anyway?”
“Then we deal with it,” I say, my voice hardening. “Together. But I won’t be the one to light the match.”
“A baby, eh? I never would have believed it if it hadn’t come out of your mouth.” I can’t help but laugh at East’s expression. “I like the idea of that.”
“What, you want a kid but not the wife that comes with it?”