Page 6 of Strictly Business

“Sure you didn’t.” He leans forward, elbows on his knees, and grins. “What’s got you so distracted, Nicholas? Don’t tell me it’s work. You’re not that boring.”

“What do you want? I’m busy.”

“It shows,” he replies, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he leans back and laces his fingers behind his head. “I heard you got a date tonight?”

I finally glance up, pinning him with a look. “Apparently. I forgot about that.”

“Forgot?” He chuckles. “Who forgets about a date? She must be real special.”

“You’re one to talk,” I retort, raising my brow. “When’s the last time you went on an actual date?”

“Touché.” He chuckles. “So, you bringing her to the club?”

I shake my head, letting out a scoff. “Not going to happen.”

“Why not? You’ve been MIA lately. Don’t tell me you’ve gone soft.”

“None of your concern,” I reply dryly. “Just know I won’t be back.”

“Are you sure about that?” he asks, arching a brow. “There’s a new room and—”

“Not going to happen,” I interrupt. “Just drop it.”

He leans back again, crossing his arms this time, but the smirk doesn’t budge. “You’re really going to deprive me of the joy of seeing your broody face in my club? It’s tragic, honestly.”

“You’ll live,” I deadpan.

“Fine,” he sighs with exaggerated defeat, dragging the word out. “But when you’re bored out of your mind tonight, just remember my offer still stands. New room, Nicholas. You’ll love it.”

I give him a pointed look. “Don’t hold your breath.”

The intercom dings, and Amara’s name flashes on the screen. I press the button, clearing my throat. “Everything alright?”

Maybe she wants to leave early, though in the two years she’s been my assistant, she hasn’t taken a single unscheduled day off. It’s one of the things I respect about her. She’s dependable, punctual, and professional. I can’t stand tardiness or flakiness, and Amara has never once let me down.

“Mr. Blackwood, Alexander is on the phone. He wants to speak with you, sir.”

My jaw tightens at the mention of my brother’s name. Across from me, Ethan groans, tipping his head back dramatically.

“Put him through,” I reply.

“Seriously?” Ethan asks, his face twisting. “You’re actually answering his calls? If it were me, I’d tell your cute little assistant to block him.”

My pulse ticks at thecute assistantremark, but I push it down. “That’s different. You’re not his brother.”

“Thank fuck for that,” Ethan mutters with a low whistle.

A second later, my phone rings. I answer, barely opening my mouth before Alexander’s voice cuts through.

“Forwarding my calls to your assistant, Nicholas? Do you even realize how that looks? Delegating me to—”

“To my very competent assistant?” I cut him off, letting a trace of boredom seep into my tone. “If you’d prefer to wait on hold, orbetter yet, schedule an appointment, I’m sure Amara would be happy to add you to the list.”

Ethan leans back in his chair with a smirk as I juggle Alexander’s rant on the phone. He crosses his arms, clearly enjoying the show. “This is better than Netflix,” he mutters, just loud enough for me to hear.

I ignore him, my focus on Alexander’s grating tone.

“Don’t play games with me, Nicholas,” Alexander snaps, his irritation crackling through the line. “We both know why I’m calling.”

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