Page 35 of The Dis-Graced

“You think I don’t know you’ve been tinkering with him? What are you doing?” Elliot challenges.

I hadn’t told Elliot that Grace is interacting with ALAN because Elliot is aggressive and controlling, and he won’t see the need for this testing. Furthermore, the risk that word of ALAN could get out would make him furious.

“First, ALAN is the property of Dallanger Tech, which I am the CEO of, and my mother is the chair. What I choose to do with ALAN is up to me. Second, I was merely seeing how his responses would change after taking out streams of code.”

Elliot’s nostrils flared outward, but he keeps his temper bottled. “Understood.”

“On to other subjects, IllumiTech is reporting record losses. If they go much lower, I might approach the board about potentially acquiring them. That Icor asshole’s been doing a lot of that lately. Maybe it’s time for us to as well.”

Elliot casts me a wolfish grin. “Let’s cut the work chatter. Whaddaya say we hit up amateur night?”

“Amateur night? On a Saturday? Isn’t that more of a middle of the week thing?”

“The new club Blazers is still establishing itself. Every night is amateur night.”

Two years ago, there would be no question. Elliot, myself, and Luke would hit up the city without a second thought.

But things changed. So much has changed.

My responsibilities grew at work, and I found myself not only in competition with others in the industry, but with my sibling, each of us contending for our mother’s approval.

Then Luke decided to get serious with Amanda. At first, I was against the match. Amanda is an heiress with a strong personality, and before her, Luke had never really been too interested in having an actual relationship. He had a drive to succeed, and his mind was wholly honed on his career. I thought he was a bit young to make any rash decisions, jumping into an engagement after merely months of dating. But I found out, I was wrong. Amanda compliments Luke fantastically. It may sound crazy because I come from an empire, and Luke basically had to pull himself out of the gutter, but I’m jealous. I want what he has, but I don’t see that ever being in my cards. Amanda loves Luke for being Luke, and every woman I’ve ever dated has had my inheritance in mind.

“I’m going to have to pass,” I finally say.

“Pass? Ah, come on. How long has it been?”

I smirk. “It has been a while, but you know amateur night. They never dance that well, and there’s always the chick that makes it awkward by picking a Disney song.”

“Come on—live a little. You’ve been spending way too much time in the office. Loosen up.”

It’s not so much that I can’t spare the evening. After all, I’m literally looking for reasons to avoid going home. I just don’t want to.

Or rather, your want for others has been waning.

My mind takes me to a place it’s been spending far too much time lingering, the lines of Grace’s jaw. Her Cupid’s bow lips. The curve of her hip. Those perfect breasts.

My cock grows tight against the constraints of my pants, which is only made more awkward by Elliot smiling across from me. Thankfully, my desk does a good job of hiding the situation.

“I’m sorry, El, but I have a lot of stuff to do today. I’m sure you understand.”

“I get it. Must be hard pleasing that bulldog mother of yours.”

I snicker, though not from anger. Most people would take offense to Elliot’s words, but I find it hard to agree with his sentiments.

“And that sister of Luke’s—what’s her name? Grace, is it?” He winks at me.

I glare my eyes into his. “I have no interest in pleasing Grace,” I say pointedly.

“That’s right, she’s Brigger’s old whore.”

“Hey, watch your mouth. That’s Luke’s sister.”

“Yeah, but, I mean, it’s not like it came as a shock. They’re not made from the same stock as we are. And don’t think I mean that as an insult! They’ve had to work hard to get where they are. Luke, sucking up as your best friend, and Grace on her knees.”

I exhale slowly, fully aware that if I overreact, he’s going to see right through me.

“Ya know, I bet she’d rock the house on amateur night, but who am I kidding, she’s a pro.”