Page 74 of The Photograph

“Fuck,” Cal mutters.

Mike swivels on his stool to face me “Her business website’s been down for at least two months…”

Tension locks my neck.She’s still leaving.

Michael shakes his head. “Come on, Gabe. What did you think would happen? You made her sign a contract to kick her out of her home after she redid Mom’s house. I bet people already know she’s persona non grata in your fucking fishbowl universe. You think anyone will hire her?”

Fuck.“I’ll fix it.”

As I stride to the door, Mike calls out.

“Wait, I’m coming with.”

I wheel back to my brother who stands by the counter. “No, you’re not.”

Mike narrows his eyes and crosses his arms on his chest. “Gabe, Cara probably told her she saw me, and I haven’t seen her in a decade, I’ll just say hi and make sure she knows I didn’t do any of the bulldozing that wrecked her life.”

No, that’s on me, and I’ll fix it. “Fine, hurry up.” I chin-lift Cal. “You’re staying?”

Cal raises his cup of coffee. “I’ll see you when I’m back in town.”

Exactly fifty-four minutes later, Mike and I walk in the penthouse’s office.

Twenty-two minutes later, after glancing at the digital clock facing my desk, I pace to the bay window while Mike settles on the sofa in the west corner of the airy room, scrolling through his phone.

I can’t blame her for never wanting to be in the same room as me. I took everything she gave me. Her shy smiles, her throaty laughter. A part of me knew she wasn’t pretending but I slammed that down. I was so intent on revenge, I didn’t stop to appreciate the abandon with which she gave herself, her moans, her sighs. The way she wrapped herself around me before she fell asleep. I rub my eyes.Fuck.I sound like a damn romance novel.

When there’s a knock on the door, we both snap our heads up to my assistant, Erica.

“Gabe, Aelin Thorne was here. I arranged for her to come back next Thursday at 10:00, and—”

In seconds, I tower over Erica who steps back with her eyes wide. “Where is she?”

My assistant pales. “Sh-she just left and—”

No.I yank the door open just as she pushes the button of the elevator. “Aelin.”

Her hair swings over her back as she turns to me, and a slight frown crosses her shuttered expression. As I edge closer, I zero in on her pendant I gave her. She’s fucking beautiful.

“Gabe… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” After a ghost of a smile, she clears her throat. “I’ve made an appointment with your—”

“No. It’s my fault.” I bury my hands in my pockets to stop myself from reaching for her. “Please, come in.”

A little of the tension rolls off my shoulders as she follows me. After she steps in the office, I close the door behind us and …

“Mitch?”

Caught by the wide grin that lights up her face, I frown when her lips curve down, and her grip on her purse tightens. “I mean, Michael—”

Mike grunts as he gets on his feet. “No. For you and Cara, it’s Mitch. Always.”

Aelin’s smile returns, and she tilts her head to the side. “All right. Mitch.”

“Hey kiddo.”

“Hi, Mitch.” And she launches herself into my brother’s open arms.

She giggles while Mike twirls her in his arms, and I grit my back teeth.I’m jealous of my own brother.I stalk to my desk and half sit on the edge of the rounded wood. When she’s back on her feet, she cups his face to kiss both his cheeks before wrapping her arms around his waist.Like in the picture.

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