Page 88 of Forbidden Kisses

"What are you talking about? I'm not the one who flew to Napa. Did you email me a report and I didn't look at it?" I asked. I'd been busy with Riley the whole day yesterday, and then Jeremy. I didn't even check my mail.

Finn blew out a breath. "No, man. It's not about Napa. Everything's fine there. We've spoken already to the realtor andput everything in motion. He's going to keep in touch and let us know as soon as he puts in an offer."

"Okay, so the vineyard is still available. That's good." I was building something with my brothers again. It was exhilarating. I hadn't realized it before now, but I’d missed this: the thrill of a new joint project.

"So, why exactly are we meeting, then, if things are already in motion?" I asked.

Knox laced his fingers and put them on top of his head. Finn grinned. Wyatt laughed. Griffin shook his head. Chase’s smile was even smugger.

"Well, the meetingwason the calendar," Finn said lazily.

"And we thought it would be an excellent opportunity to give you shit," Chase continued.

"About what?" I asked, bewildered.

"We've heard through the grapevine from our lawyers that you asked them to help with Riley's sister," Griffin said.

"Yeah."

"Ha!" Chase exclaimed.

"What exactly do you think I asked them for?" I was starting to realize what his smug smile was about. He thought I was going to do something stupid like he'd done with Hannah.

"I don't know. You tell us."

"Yeah, we’re very excited to know," Wyatt added.

"Dude, I tried to get them off your case," Griffin said, "but they wouldn't stop."

"Thanks for having my back. Riley's sister’s boss kept giving her headaches. I simply asked them to formally scare the shit out of him by sending him a cease and desist."

Chase was on the edge of his chair. "And?"

"And that's it," I said.

"Aw, man. Damn it."

I couldn't help myself; I burst out laughing. "I can't believe it. You thought I was going to pull some shit like you did?"

Chase sighed. "I'm not proud to admit, but yeah. That was exactly what I was waiting for."

Wyatt shook his head. "I told you that Duncan's got a good head on his shoulders."

"Hey!” Chase snapped. “I do as well. I just lost it when it came to Hannah."

It was my turn to smile smugly. "Well, I didn't. Case closed. Now, let's get back to Napa Valley."

"Yes, let's," Finn said. "But I will just say one last thing on this topic. You haven't lost your headyet. There’s still plenty of time for that, and I'll be here to cheer when that happens."

I chuckled. "Good to know I can always count on you."

“Since Napa is a done deal and we skipped Monday’s meeting, how about doing our usual brainstorming now?” Chase suggested.

"Great,” Knox replied. “I love our brainstorming sessions. It puts my brain into a creative mode, and then it stays like that for the rest of the week."

Wyatt turned to him. "We’re supposed to think about the ideasbeforeand just pitch them here."

Knox grinned. "No one said that, brother. We agreed to share ideas in this room on Monday mornings. I like to fly by the seat of my pants."