Page 38 of Keeping Kasey
Damon has proven to be a surprisingly tolerable human. Based on his last name alone, I had low expectations, but the oldest Consoli isn’t so bad.
He’s a few inches taller than the twins, with an unrelenting spark in his eyes that adds an endearing edge to his wide smiles. The broad build alone could be considered intimidating if it weren’t for the fact that he carries himself like a man without a single care in the world—so opposite of his brothers. If the physical resemblance weren’t so prominent, I might wonder if Damon’s a Consoli at all.
I’m finishing up work for the day when Damon answers an incoming call, and I tune out his mumbling while packing up the last of my things.
“Kasey, Logan wants you in his office.”
“No thanks,” I toss over my shoulder.
“That’s not how this works, Goldie.”
I clench my teeth to stop myself from snapping at him. I made the mistake of giving him a reaction the first time he used the stupid nickname, and now he does it all the time.
“You can tell Logan I’m not coming,” I say before zipping my bag up and throwing it over my shoulder.
Damon leans back on the sofa and regards me with a bored look. “I’m not telling him that.”
“Then I’m sure he’ll get the memo when I don’t show up.” I look to Kade. “Where’s Elise?”
Kade seems to be close to Donovan, who has been glued to Elise’s side every time I’ve seen her over the last few days.
He checks his watch, sending a wary glance at Damon before saying, “She and Don were meeting with James about the wedding guest list. They might be done now.”
I flash Damon a sweet smile. “Let’s go.”
I don’t wait for his answer—or rather, his argument—and start toward James’s office.
“You’re being difficult on purpose,” Damon snaps when he catches up with me—not a difficult feat since his legs are practically twice the size of mine.
“Do you ever get tired of doing whatever he tells you to?”
“Do you ever get tired of arguing withevery single thingsomeone says to you?” he shoots back, and nothing in his reaction hints that I hit a nerve.
I figured Damon might harbor resentment toward Logan, who stepped into the role that was his birthright, but I haven’t found any evidence of that yet. Damon’s face—more angular than his siblings—is set in an easy yet daunting smile, like he knows what I’m doing.
“It’s a better alternative to being the mindless servant of an egotistical tyrant,” I bait.
“Not if you trustthe tyrant.”
I stop walking and turn to Damon, who nearly runs into me at the sudden stop. “And you trust Logan?”
“With my life.”
Either Damon has an inhuman level of humility that makes him genuinely believe his younger brother is better qualified tobe family boss—which seems highly unlikely—or there’s more to the story that no amount of research could uncover.
I’m ready to ask more questions, but a lyrical voice cuts in before I can.
“Hi, Kasey!” Elise greets with a smile so wide I wonder if it hurts.
Damon’s grin comes naturally as he greets his sister and nods to Donovan, who is once again at Elise’s side.
A strange feeling twists my stomach—not for the first time when watching Elise interact with her brothers.
This time, I recognize it for what it is: jealousy.
I never felt like being an only child deprived me of any meaningful experiences, but watching how the Consoli brothers so openly adore their sister has made me wonder what it would be like to have siblings—or any family—show that level of admiration and devotion to me.
“What are you up to?” she asks.
