Page 13 of The Broker

Mostly, they talked about Mr. Devos’s childhood, how he spent most of it competing in science competitions and attending the latest science camp. His parents were scholars and insisted on only the best education for their boy.

Occasionally, their conversations would drift to the present. He’d talk openly and freely about the stresses of his job and the very tight deadlines of the current project he was working on.

Once Matteo got wind of the man’s discoveries, he quickly purchased shares in the company's stock, hoping to make a killing once the new technology was announced.

In the meantime, he had Teo keep his ears open and Devos’s lips spread apart, taking in every last detail and update of the project and its status. There was power in knowledge, and Matteo knew how to capitalize on any opportunity.

Hearing of Teo’s failures, Matteo’s jaw tightened with annoyance. He wasn’t a man who enjoyed delays or missed opportunities.

“Is Mr. Devos staying with us another night?” Matteo asked, eyes fixed on the food on his plate.

“Umm, yeah. One more night.”

Matteo let out a sigh.

“Okay, here’s what you’re going to do.” Matteo laid out another plan for Teo—one involving a long bath, some soft music, strawberries, and lots of lube.

Once that issue was dealt with, Anders provided his update while Matteo made notes in his black leather notebook. Later in the day, Matteo would go down to his private office and update his electronic files with all of the new information his team had gathered.

These files were part of the reason that Chase had come toLa Maisonin the first place.

As they finished up their breakfast, Jared noticed Levi, who was quietly pushing the food around on his plate.

“Everything okay, Lee?”

Levi looked up, startled. He took a breath and placed his fork down on his place.

“Yeah, I’m just missin’ Chase.”

“He off on assignment?” Jared asked, already knowing the answer to his question.

“Yeah, he’s off in Spain, hunting down another one of the monsters from Edwin’s journal.”

Last month, Chase had shown up atLaMaison, pretending to be a regular guest, when secretly, he was hired by a man to hunt down and terminate evil men who did very bad things. A list of these men and all their horrific crimes had been documented in a handwritten journal—one used to blackmail and extort rich and powerful men.

“He’ll be back in no time,” Jared reassured, thinking back to the nightmare they had all lived through trying to rescue Levi from Mr. Peabody and hisdollhouse of horrors. They had all almost died there that night.

“Don’t worry, buddy. Chase will be back in a few days, and then you’ll spend the next week walking bow-legged around the château!” Isaac added, giving Levi a wink.

The guys all laughed.

Levi presented Isaac with the gift of his middle finger and a blessing of “fuck you” through mouthed lips.

Sitting back in his chair, Jared glanced at the guys sitting around the table. While they might not share the same DNA or come from the same set of balls… deep down, they were brothers. All connected by the bonds they had formed and thepromises they shared. Promises to always protect one another and always be there for each other.

This was his family. And he loved every fucking last one of them. Even the annoying little brat with the huge holes in his ears and spiky blue hair.

Fuck, he was annoying.

4

ISAAC

“Fuck!” Isaac shouted, tripping off his board and almost cracking his skull on the concrete below. He straightened himself, tossing his shoulders back before pulling up his jeans that were riding lower than was safe for skateboarding.

He glanced around to see if there were any witnesses to his near-death mishap.

Empty. The coast was clear, and his dignity was still intact.

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