Page 13 of Reckless Love

His eyes blazed and I swear he was about to punch the wall or maybe me? I really couldn’t be sure because I didn’t know why he was so upset. “When?”

“Uh, I don’t know. Until about five years ago? Whenever it was I got my doctorate.”

He shook with anger. He actuallyshook. “That fucking bastard.”

“William...how could you not know this?” Did he honestly think I came into the office for fun? “You worked for father then. Didn’t he tell you why I was there?”

I didn’t know how to feel about my brother’s reaction. Part of me was scared of how much anger boiled inside him. Part of me was fascinated. The fascination won out. I really didn’t knowmy brother anymore. I had no idea if he was coming apart at the seams because he couldn’t control himself, or if he was shocked, or what. All I knew was that in front of me I had what I usually considered to be a six-foot-five teddy bear about to explode.

“What’s going on here?” Leo slid in beside me shooting daggers at William as he dropped a tender kiss on my cheek. “Are you all right?”he murmured against my ear.

“I’m fine.” I snuggled into his side because I liked the security of being pressed up against Leo.

“Of course she’s fine. What the hell kind of bastard do you take me for?” William shoved his large hand through his dark hair. “And who the hell are you?”

“Leo Hancock,” Leo thrust his hand out. “We met a couple of months ago. I work for Marie andI’m in love with your sister.”

William’s eyes rounded. “You’re...what?” He smiled. “You have a boyfriend?”

I might have whiplash by the end of the night from all of the emotional extremes. “How about we start over. William, I’d like you to meet Leo. We’re living together now. He’s an agent at Bancroft Sports and I love him very much. Leo, this is my big brother William.”

The two men shook hands. The long kind of shake where they tried to crush each other with their muscles and eye daggers. “So what are you two talking about?” Leo smiled while glaring.

“We were just getting some facts straight. William was unaware of the work I did for Edmund.”

Leo took his hand back but the glare stayed firmly in place.

“I’m still not clear on what thatwork was, sister dear.” William said with what appeared to be painfully clenched teeth.

Leo kissed my temple. It was a vote of confidence and an admonishment all at once. “Careful.”

William didn’t like that. “Careful? Of me? Really?”

“Yes really,” I sighed. It felt nice to be near my brother and I wanted to keep this going, spend more time with him, but not at the expenseof my objective. “I love you, William, but I don’t know you. In your position you should know just how manipulative and deceitful our father is.”

“Which is why I need to know what you did.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I’m the same as you Rosie. Just the same.”

I searched his eyes trying to determine whatjust the samereally meant. Of course we were the same. We hadthe same father. We shared the same issues. But William’s words and searching eyes implied more.

Rosie.We were in the trenches together. “William I—”

I reached for him but not before our father appeared at our sides. My hand fell away, a canyon opening up between us that felt dangerously wide until Leo squeezed me protectively against him.

I watched as William drew himselfup to his full height, realizing just how alike we were. In a split second he shed the caring brother skin and slid back into his role as heir apparent. He wore that suit the same way I wore my dress. A costume and armor all rolled into one.

“My two children in the same place at the same time. What a rare sight indeed.”

I swear the air dropped ten degrees whenever my father was around.His silver hair didn’t help the illusion, either. It was as if he were made of ice inside and out.

William tucked his tie away. “I was just asking Rosalind about her latest research.” He didn’t look at or acknowledge Leo as his eyes moved from me to our father. “Fascinating stuff.”

“I’m sure it’s delightful.” Edmund might as well have patted me on the head, the condescending prick.“It’s Mr. Hancock, correct? Bancroft Sports?” He held his hand out and Leo shook it.

“I am, indeed. Wonderful party,” he said smooth as can be.

My skin crawled as Edmund’s eyes wandered to the place where Leo’s hand rested on my hip. His eyebrow lifted. “And dating my daughter?”

“Yes,” he said simply. He didn’t offer details. I loved him for that. But I also loved how he didn’toffer his first name or any other familiarities.

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