Page 97 of Love Among the Ruins
“Spare me the bullshit. Hector isn’t someone you casually invite to have drinks with. You reached out to him to find out what’s going on with the deal.” His progress with Galatis had been so unbelievably slow that it was practically zero. Alexander suddenly appearing wasn’t a coincidence. He was here to make things happen. Dominic could guess at the conversation between his father and Alexander.
Alexander gave a half shrug. “It was dad’s idea.”
“I fucking knew it. You both don’t think I can pull this off.”
“But only because Hector can’t be trusted, and we need this deal. Dad’s worried about him, not you.”
“Bullshit.” Dominic shrugged off his brother’s hold. “You and dad still think I’m the useless younger son oftheRobert Steele. Well, I intend to prove you both wrong.”
Alexander placed his hands on Dominic’s shoulders. “Listen to me. That’s not true, but, now that you’ve mentioned it, how’s it going?”
Dominic bore down on his teeth. What could he say?
The man has me running around after him at all these goddamn places.
But instead he kept his mouth firmly shut, Alexander’s question was all the proof he needed. “You’re a really bad brother, but you’re an even worse liar.”
“Okay, fine. If you don’t want to tell me then don’t. You’re mad at me, so let’s leave it.”
“How long are you here for?” Dominic asked suspiciously.
“A few days. I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”
“Just back off on the Galatis deal.”
Alexander’s mouth twisted. “I will, alright. Chill.” Then, “Cute maid. You hitting that yet?”
Dominic’s fist almost jumped to his brother’s face, but by some miracle he managed to keep it by his side. He didn’t need to give his brother a reason to suspect anything. “Don’t be so fucking stupid.”
“‘Cause I sure as hell would. She’s hot, got a gorgeous—”
Both of Dominic’s hands fisted, and it took all of his focus to not have them connect with Alexander’s jawbone. “Shut the hell up.”
“Something wrong, bro?” Alexander’s eyes twinkled. “Something you want to tell me? Demi’s wedding getting you all riled up?”
“That’s the furthest thing from my mind.” Demi’s wedding was so low down on his radar, that he hadn’t given it much thought until he’d realized she was marrying Galatis’ nephew.
He felt restless. Couldn’t stand around talking to Alexander in case his brother said something else that would irritate him.
How quickly things changed. Yesterday Eleni had been here, and that had made for an interesting, and pleasant, evening. But today with his brother, all he could do was play defensive. “I want your word.”
“For what?”
“To keep your nose out of my business. No calling Galatis or arranging to see him behind my back.”
“As if I would.”
“You would. You so would.”
* * *
For the next few days, Dominic kept a watchful eye on his brother and made sure he dragged him along to the office with him.
In addition, he was curious to know how Eleni was doing, but he didn’t dare call her. Their exchange in the office had been intense and now things felt strange. Off. He didn’t trust himself and knew he needed to keep some distance between them.
Late one afternoon, his cell phone beeped. Eleni had messaged him. A quiver of excitement shot through his chest:
Eleni: I hope your brother hasn’t put you in a worse mood than usual.
