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“Sorry. It’s hard for me to feel anything because I’m so anti-relationship right now. I’m scared I might be this way forever. Stunted by heartbreak.”
“You’ll fall again.”
“Actually, I’m good,” I tell him. “Thanks though.”
“Fine. How’s work?” He abruptly changes the subject to another one I’d prefer to avoid.
Usually, when my brothers ask me this question, I play it off as if everything were great. Weston has seen through the facade I built around Bellamore for months. I can’t hide it anymore. I’m in over my head—that much I can admit.
Weston watches me as he takes a sip of water.
I suck in a deep breath. “Bellamore’s sales have dropped by half. I’m trying to stay calm.”
“Do you have a cash flow issue?” he questions. Weston’s a genius with numbers.
My heart races. “It’s Josh. He’s still ripping off our designs and changing his launch dates to cross with ours.”
“How is he getting this information?” Weston lowers his voice.
“Not sure. Our designs are created in-house by some of the best illustrators in the world, who have signed exclusivity contracts with us. I hired a private IT firm to audit our computers to ensure we weren’t hacked. We weren’t. I’m at a loss. I don’t know how this keeps happening.”
“When did it start?”
“I think it was happening when we were together, but I only noticed it after I left him,” I state, shaking my head. “I’ve heard he still talks about me at parties. He tells everyone he’s still in love with me. I’m sick over this.”
“Fuck him,” Weston hisses. “This is psychological warfare.”
I nod. “I know. I don’t need you to do anything, Weston. Please do not get involved. I just need your advice because you’re obligated to give it to me as my super-intelligent big brother. What would you do?”
“You forgot to mention handsome,” he says, interlocking his fingers in front of him. “Hmm, what would I do if I were in your position?”
I brace myself for the bomb he’ll drop.
He waits a single beat. “I’d hire Banks.”
I glare at him. “Not an option.”
Weston shrugs. “Did you know Josh offered Asher a three-billion-dollar contract? Josh knows what Asher is capable of. Do you?”
“I’m not afraid of him,” I say between clenched teeth.
“And that will be your downfall, little sis.” Weston tilts his head. “You should be very afraid of Asher. He’s the Boogeyman of Business. If Josh’s goal is to buy Bellamore?—”
“For the last fucking time, it’s not for sale.”
My brother gives me a devilish smirk. “I’m aware. But some assholes in this world believe everything has a price tag. Josh is one of them. So is Asher. So am I. Together, they will ensure you sell before they bankrupt you. When you’re desperate, they’ll swoop in and buy you out ninety percent below market value, then becomethe saviors who rescued your failing company, even if they were the ones who had forced you to drown. You’re not cutthroat enough for this, Billie. Asher is, especially when he believes in something. Your hatred for each other is more than enough to fuel him. He’d get satisfaction from your downfall, and that alone makes me scared for you and Bellamore.”
Our spaghetti and meatballs slide before us, and suddenly, I don’t feel hungry. Gretchen sets a stack of napkins on the table’s edge and leaves us to our conversation.
I return my attention to Weston. “I don’t know why you’re friends with someone like Banks.”
Weston twirls spaghetti around his fork. “He’s a great friend. Trustworthy. Generous. Doesn’t have a greedy bone in his body. Asher cares about other people and the environment. He always puts himself last and would give anyone the shirt off his back if they asked. Well, everyone except you. I think he’d let you rot. Plus, he’s really fucking fun at parties and to travel with.”
“Ugh.” I pick up my fork. “I’m sure he is.”
The noodles and sauce are steaming hot. I mix them around so they’ll cool faster.
“He won’t help me unless I beg.” I take a small bite. “I refuse to humiliate myself for his entertainment.”