Page 50 of Forbidden Desires

“You don’t have to come yourself.”

“Yes, I do.” I can almost see the familiar determined set to his jaw. “I can hear the strain in your voice. Besides, you don’t want to trust something like this with just anyone. I will be there in a few days; then we can talk details.”

“Thank you.” I sigh, feeling a weight lifted off my shoulders. With his assurance, I know we will get to the bottom of it.

“I have been meaning to check in with you and your sister for a while anyway. Don’t let anyone other than Emerson know I’m coming, and I will stay in the hotel, see what else I make out. See you later in the week.”

I hang up the phone, feeling relief wash over me, knowing I can rely on him. I hear her heels walking down the hall past my office. I should go after her, apologize for my outburst, but I can’t. My pride stops me. I don’t understand it myself. All I know is one minute I was watching her out the window chatting to Paisley, then next she’s talking to Mason and I’m ready to murder him. Fuck. I run a hand through myhair in frustration. I can’t screw all this up. I need to get whatever this infatuation with her is under control before we’re caught. Because today I know I went one step too far.

Chapter 24

Brody

Checking my watch, I remember the midday meeting I scheduled with Parker and Elliot at Pecan Pie Bakery to go over some details I didn’t want todiscuss with Victor or Lana around. It’s been twenty-four hours since my overreaction, and even though I’m itching to see Gisele again, I have kept my distance from her, and she hasn’t bothered to contact me. I know I should call it quits now, get out before any real damage is done, but I can’t. She has me by the balls. A day without communication from her is killing me. I couldn’t walk away from her for good. There's no fucking way. So, I have to be more careful.

When I push open the door to the bakery, the comforting aroma of freshly baked pies greets me, but I quickly scan the room, searching for the guys. Among the patrons, I spot Noah, and our eyes lock. He offers a hesitant wave, and a tight knot forms in my stomach. It’s been a while since we’ve been in the same room without tension lingering in the air.

I navigate through the tables, and when I reach Noah, I find myself at a loss for words. There’s an unspoken weight between us, a history that neither of us has fully addressed. I wouldn’t have been in my car that night if it wasn’t for him, and he knows it. “Didn’t realize you were coming to this meeting.”

He manages a smile, trying to ease the tension. “I’m part of the fix-up crew, aren’t I?” He grins, and I can see a genuine effort to reconnect. He shifts uncomfortably, uncertainty in his eyes.

I take a seat across from him.

“Look, Brody, I know things haven’t been the same with us since… Well, you know,” Noah trails off.

I silently agree, acknowledging the obvious issue. The wounds inflicted that night have left lasting scars, burdening both of us for far too long.

“We good?” he asks, sincerity etched on his face. He’s not the same kid I once knew, but I can see this is important to him. I used to consider him one of my closest friends, and now that I'm back, I could really use some friends to get me through, even if I don't know how to ask for their help. They're here in my face offering it.

“Yep,” I respond, realizing that maybe it’s time to let go of the past. He might have fucked up that night majorly, but he couldn’t have predicted what would happen, none of us could. And I would be no better than Prescott if I held a grudge because of it. Talking it all over with Gisele on the weekend has brought it to the forefront of my mind. That night changed all our lives forever, but it wasn’t his fault that I was driving the car my mama ran into, just like it wasn’t mine. Sure, we could have handled things differently, but we were kids, we weren’t thinking straight. The fault of it all goes back to my father.

There’s a glimmer of hope in Noah’s eyes, and he smiles that cheeky grin of his, turning his baseball cap backwards. “I’m glad, because I could really use your help with something. I want to buy this property on Main Street. It was originally owned by my grandma, and she’s offering it to family members as a private sale before she puts it up for auction. I’m very interested, but I’m not great with the paperwork. It looks complicated. Could you look over it for me?”

I raise a brow, surprised he wants to buy back here. Last I heard he was happy in Jacksonville. “You really thinking about coming home?”

“Yeah, it’s time. There’s nothing back in Jacksonville for me now that I’m not playing ball. If anything,staying there is a constant reminder of what I can’t do anymore. I need a change.”

“Of course I will then.”

“Raider brothers will all be back here together, getting up to no good just like old times.”

I laugh, wishing that was the case. If only my life hadn’t gotten so complicated with the responsibilities of The Alexander resting on my shoulders. “Can you do something for me?”

“Anything,” he responds, a genuine willingness to make amends.

“Come work for me,” I propose, surprising both of us with the suggestion, but I need someone I can trust, and he’s looking for a change. It might just suit us both perfectly.

“You need a quarterback?” he jokes, attempting to lighten the mood.

I cast a look over my shoulder, making sure there’s no one around to listen in. The place is empty, with just Hailey behind the counter. “I need someone on my side I can trust. There’s some dodgy stuff going down at the hotel,” I confess.

He looks concerned. “Man, how serious is it?”

“There’s a ton of money missing, and my old man was worried for his life. He took more secrets to his grave than we all know. I need to get to the bottom of it before Em and I lose it all,” I admit, the weight of the situation heavy on my conscience.

“Whatever you need. I’m at a loss since this forced me into early retirement anyway.” He motions to his ankle. “It’d be good to have some purpose again. Not sure what I can help with, though.”

I see the others arrive. They stop at the counter and order.

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