Page 43 of Broken Brothers

As if having finally found the perfect excuse, Layla bolted over, leaving Mr. Burnson and I behind without so much as a word. The CEO of Burnson Investments turned to me and patted me on the shoulder.

“Women, huh?” he said with a snort. “Come with me to the front. We don’t want to have to push through this whole crowd when they make the announcement. After all, don’t keep the people waiting for your speech!”

My speech. Damn right. Can’t wait to see Morgan’s face in the crowd and throw something at him when I see him. Maybe I’ll even give a subtle joke to him and to the Hunts.

We gently made our way through the crowd. I lost Layla in it all, but Craig and what looked like the board of directors at his company all stood on stage, smiling and looking out at the crowd before them. He had a glass of champagne in his hand, and around us, waiters were passing out glasses for us to toast with.I began mentally rehearsing what I wanted to say when the time came—I had a few ideas already, but the idea of a toast generated some new ones.

“Good evening,” Craig began. “Obviously, you all know why we are here tonight, but to remind you, let’s go back to the beginning. Eight years ago…”

Craig then went on and on about the business growing out of a nearly fatal slow start and how it had all come together after three years of losses and failed profits. It was a story I had heard many times over when Mr. Hunt spoke to prospective businesses, so I somewhat zoned out, although I made sure to pay enough attention that I could make some references in my own speech.

“There are many people to thank along the way for this,” Craig said, finally wrapping up the story part of his speech. “First of all, my board of directors, for making sure I never went too far astray in any of my dealings. I can never show my appreciation enough.”

Some polite applause went around. I did the same, trying to keep a pretty face and not show my zealous anticipation for the moment when I’d finally get to go on stage and speak.

“Second, I’d like to thank my brother, Dan, who, having gone through a similar process with our eventual investor, guided me through all of this.”

That was… an odd statement to make. I had never heard of a Dan Taylor before, nor had I heard of him through our business dealings at Burnson. Had I missed something like that? It seemed that it didn’t affect our standing in the deal, but still, that was an odd thing to have missed, especially for the amount of due diligence that I did.

“Third, my wonderful niece and Dan’s daughter, Layla, who will someday take over the business.”

Wait, I thought she was your daughter? The hell?

I looked for Layla. There was no way I had heard those words correctly, but then again, there was no way that Craig would have said something that far off base at a talk like this.

“Layla provided me invaluable insights and helped correct for some of my actions. She brought attention to things I never would have noticed otherwise, and for that, I am incredibly grateful and a little bit wealthier.”

Polite applause came, but I dropped my act. Where was Layla? Had I misunderstood everything?

I couldn’t find her in the crowd—wherever she was, she had vanished and blended in with everyone else. I even saw Morgan and Mr. Hunt before I saw Layla—Morgan nodded to me, but I was too busy looking to acknowledge him.

“With all that said, let us announce today…”

I quickly whirled back around. I felt my smile growing. Nothing else mattered. Layla had probably given me the wrong impression. It was nothing to be worried or confused by.

“… our newest investor, Hunt Industries.”

Loud applause broke out. Some cheers from some drunken people came. Laughter came as Mr. Hunt waved to the crowd.

And I heard and processed none of it. I felt numb. My ears were ringing. What in the actual fuck?

Was this some sort of sick, cruel prank? Was Burnson Investments just a front for Hunt Industries that I had missed somehow? I knew John and Edwin Hunt were friends, but…

Mr. Hunt took the stage, looked at me, smiled, and looked out over the crowd.

“We are honored…”

I stopped paying attention. I looked back at Morgan. At least the horror and shock on his face told me he had no idea, but it did nothing to diminish the pain and embarrassment of what I was experiencing.

This whole thing…

Layla…

Either I’d been played from the start, which I almost hoped to be the case, or Layla…

When she asked me to love her no matter what…

Her distance when she and I talked about this gala…