Page 42 of Triplet Tease

“Siena!”

I looked back and saw Harry following me andthe police officers headed into the Bretton building. “I know youneed to get on with your life. Let me ride with you.”

I sighed. “Why?”

“You’ve spent time with my brothers, andnow I’d like you to just listen to what I have to say. Give me achance.”

I pursed my lips. “I don’t live that farfrom here, so I warn you the ride won’t take long.”

He grinned. Oh, god, the Maxwell family grin.It was almost irresistible. “What I have to say shouldn’t takelong.”

“Good.”

“I’ll pay for the cab journey too.”

I almost told him to keep his money, but Ithought better of it. I got into the cab and gave the driver myaddress. Harry slipped in next to me.

“My brothers wouldn’t have lied to you, butthey may have omitted to tell you a few things that perhaps youshould know, especially as it seems we’re going to be family.”

“Right. Look, my mom and I aren’t close. Wecan carry on being strangers. I won’t kiss and tell. All yoursecrets are safe.”

“We’re pretty close to our father, and hedesigned the Bretton building. He’s an architect.”

“Really?” Well, that took the wind out ofmy sails. “Your father designed that building? I’m impressed.”

“Yeah, The guys didn’t tell you, becausethey don’t want to impress a girl by showing off in that way. Ourdad’s a partner; his firm works on big prestigious projects. He’salso pals with the Brettons. Some of the apartments in that buildingwere never sold, and are still owned by the Bretton corporation.That’s how come we’re staying in one at no cost to us. It was allset up by our father through his business contacts.”

“That’s a nice family perk.”

“Yes, it is. It’s not something we’reproud of. We were born lucky. We didn’t work for it, and that’swhy my brothers didn’t say anything to you about it.”

“I see. They wanted to pass themselves off asordinary working guys.”

“Exactly that. They probably didn’t tellyou that we three are the sole beneficiaries of a fortune.”

“No, they didn’t mention anything aboutthat.”

“Mom didn’t leave anything to our father inher will because he had enough money, and if she died, she wanted tomake a big difference in our lives. I can’t stress enough that shedidn’t expect to die so young. No one expected her to die. So therewere some very big insurance payouts.”

“Payouts, huh? So, you are three rich guys.”

“I wouldn’t say that. Mom left alife-changing amount of money. It’s not as if we never have to workagain. But we’re quite well off and don’t have to work for awhile. We have no wish or reason to get involved in any dodgycriminal business, and I didn’t want you to think that of us. Momlived for wildlife, and so our volunteer work abroad has been atribute to her memory.”

“Noted.” We were already nearing the home Ishared with Gill. The reality of my situation was coming in fast andclose. “So, why are you telling me this?”

“Because yesterday you liked my brothers, andthey liked you. They liked you a lot more than you realize. And thismorning, you had reason to doubt them. You had good reasons, Iunderstand that. But they aren’t the bad guys that you think theyare.”

The cab driver turned on to my street.

“Okay, so I believe you, you’re not a bunchof criminals. I still have no job. My mom suspects I’m a hooker. Ieven wondered about it myself. And while the three of you go back toyour nice jobs in New York, or live off your inheritance, I need tofigure out my life. I only came here because I was offered thatwaitressing job. I don’t want to live in this city, but I havenowhere else to go.”

“Siena, you can go anywhere.”

“Right here. Stop where you can,” I said tothe cab driver who was slowing down. He pulled the car over to theside of the street.

“Siena, the three of us don’t want to goback to our city lives either.” Harry began to sound a littledesperate as he spoke with more urgency.

“It’s easy for you to say. And to makechoices with your money, and education, and connections.”

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