All of a sudden, the pity I felt for Chloe evaporated like smoke in the wind. What the hell was I even thinking? She didn't deserve my sympathy.Nor anyone else's. She never did.

I yanked my wrist out of her grip, startling her. Her nails scratched lightly against my skin as I pulled away, and I leaned in close enough for her to feel my breath. And the weight of my words.

"Good," I whispered, low and sharp. "Now you know not to mess with me. And don't you ever try to dig your claws into me again, Chloe."

HIer eyes widened, lips parting like she couldn't believe I'd spoken to her that way. For once, she didn't have a clever comeback. And I didn't wait around for one either. I straightened, turned on my heel,and walked away,leaving her frozen in place like a mannequin no one wanted to dress.

Roman didn't even notice the scene I'd just caused. He was sitting there, furiously tapping away on his phone, his brows drawn tight,his shoulders tense but not in a way that had anything to do with me. He was unbothered, detached, like the whole world could crumble and he'd still be locked in that screen.

Something sharp and cold pierced my chest. An ugly thought reared its head, clawing at the fragile corners of my mind. Was he seeing someone? Could it be possible that he had someone and I was merely the convenient girl warming his sheets till we get back to Philly?

No. I shook my head, trying to silence the storm. No,Roman wouldn't do that to me. He was my best friend, My anchor. Besides, he didn't date.He didn't believe in it. He had flings, sure-casual, transactional little flames that never lasted long enough to cast a shadow. That was different.

That wasn't... this.

And yet the thought wouldn't go away. It burrowed deeper, leaving a sting in my chest.

I forced a cool tone, grabbed a cherry from the table, and asked lightly."Who are you texting?"

His head snapped up immediately. Not in shock-he wasn't the type to be caught off guard-but in a way that made my stomach twist. His face was drawn together, sharp angles carved in stone, his mouth pressed into a hard line.

Anger. I could tell he was angry.

Not at me, I realized, but simmering beneath the surface. His fingers hovered over the phone for a beat, then he glanced down at the device.back at me, and did something I never expected.

He turned the screen toward me.

His hand stretched across the table until the phone was right in front of me, the glow casting light across his knuckles.

"My brother," he said flatly, then pulled the phone back. His gaze flicked past my head, like something-or someone-stood there.

A strange warmth bloomed in my chest at that little act of raw honesty. Roman never explained himself. Not like that. For him to show me, to prove it without hesitation, felt like somne sort of private victory. My heart tripped over itself, a foolish little dance that betrayed how much I was supposed to care.

I had to swallow the grin clawing its way up my throat. I didn't want

to look overeager. like a girl too easily appeased. "Is everything okay?With him?" I asked instead, reaching for a bottle of water to distract my shaking fingers.

"Yeah." His voice was casual, but his jaw ticked, betraying tension."Everything's okay. Except for the fact that he's actually standing right behind you."

My body froze like he had just said a ghost was behind me.

Then I shrieked so loudly, heads turned, my grip slipping on the water bottle. It tumbled from my hands, spinning, and a cold splash cascaded over my thigh and dress.

"Shit!" I gasped.

"Savannah, careful!" Romnan was out of his chair in a blink, cursing under his breath as he snatched a stack of napkins. He pressed them firmly to my thigh, dabbing and blotting with quick precision. His touch was steady, careful, but the closeness sent my nerves spinning.

"I've gotten all sorts of reactions from women on a first meeting,but instant wetness with no contact?" A deep voice drawled from behind me."Gotta say, that tops the list."

Roman paused. His eyes snapped up, lethal, narrowing like he wanted to tear the air apart.

I stiffened. That voice. That presence. Slowly, hesitantly, I turned in my seat.

And my God.

The man standing there looked like perfection dressed in a tailored

suit.

He was tall, just shy of Roman's height, but close enough that the resemblance was undeniable. His hair was blonde with very darker roots.tied into a careful man bun that somehow managed to look expensive.His eyes were green like Roman's but softer, almost hazel. And it sparkled with mischief. An unsettling grin tugged at his mouth as if he always made jokes. Even at funerals.

And my jaw might as well have hit the floor.

"Wait, that's your brother?" I hissed in Roman's direction, but of course, my attempt at whispering failed miserably.

The stranger's grin widened. He strolled closer, all effortless swagger.and slid into the seat beside me like he belonged there.

Roman muttered something that sounded like a curse in another language. His glare could've burned through steel.

"Hi." The stranger lifted his hand in a playful wave, though we were close enough to feel each other's breath. "You must be the fiancée and the best friend." His voice dripped with amusement.

Before I could gather my wits, Roman snapped. "Leave her alone.What are you doing here,Reese?"

Reese.

The name suited him pretty well. Slick, sharp, almost too pretty for its own good. He leaned back casually, crossing one leg over the other with elegance that made his tailored three-piece suit look like it had been born on him.

"Excuse his manners, sweet pea," Reese sald, eyes twinkling as they landed on me. "We weren't all raised in a cave. Just him. I'm Reese, the younger brother." His gaze lingered on my face with an intensity that was equal parts flattering and unsettling. "And do you have a name,honey?"

I blinked, darting a glance at Roman like he might grant or deny permission to speak. He didn't. His mood was soured, his eyes dark and furious, like he was one second away from launching across the table and committing fratricide.

"Savannah," I managed, my voice softer than usual.

Reese's smile deepened, and for the briefest second, it chilled me. He looked so much like Roman. Same bone structure, same piercing gaze,but with a certain extent of playfulness Roman would never allow himself. He was the mirror image with edges sanded down, dangerous in a whole other different way.

"Reese, I ask again," Roman hissed, his voice laced with venom, "why are you here?"

"Can't I miss my big brother?" Reese tilted his head. "What's it been now,six years? Seven? Ten?"

"Bullshit," Roman spat.

"You know me too well,bro."

Reese smirked, unbothered, and pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket like he'd been waiting for this exact moment. He laid it gently on the table between us.

It gleamed.

Roman eyed the card like it was poisonous. Meanwhile I almost drooled at the sight of it. It looked like raw gold and reeked of rich taste and elegance.

The card was black velvet, heavy, with roses of gold, crimson, and emerald etched into it in intricate spirals. It didn't just look expensive-it radiated power, wealth, and authority.

"Daddy dearest is turning seventy next month," Reese said smoothly."You're needed. Ryan's been trying to reach you, but apparently you're too stubborn to answer."

At the mention of that name, Roman's entire body went rigid. He stared at the card like it was toxic.

"You dare mention Ryan in my presence?" His voice wvas low,dangerous.

Reese only shrugged, turning his attention back to me. "He's our eldest brother. I can't exactly erase him from the family. Blood's blood,right?"

Roman let out a humorless laugh. "You see that girl by the couple?"He gestured sharply across the room. "She's here thanks to Ryan."

Reese followed his gaze, then grinned. "She's hot. Nice ass."

I nearly choked on my water.

"Not that one, idiot. That's Lizzie." Roman ground out. "The little girl.In the white dress. Her name's Emily."

Reese squinted, then sat up straighter. "WVait-don't tell me that's Ryan's..."

"Exactly." Roman's voice cracked like a whip. "That's your niece.He knocked up a girl, then disappeared for five years."

For a moment. Reese was stunned. Then, to my horror, he burst out laughing.

He laughed so hard heads turned, people saring at our table with curious eyes. Roman's lips twitched too, though his laughter was bitter.sharp.

"My thoughts exactly." Roman added.

"Ryan," Reese wheezed, clutching his side. "Who would've thought?"He caught his breath, then smirked. "Guess the great marketer found something to do with his...assets."

I flushed crimson.

"So Ryan does get a boner for other things asides marketing figures?This is rather delightful information I'll be more than happy to relay to the family." Reese said, winking at me when he noticed my shocked reaction to their strange family dynamic.

Roman wasn't amused. His eyes flicked to mine, then back to Reese with a promise of violence.

Reese smoothed a hand through his hair and stood, straightening his jacket. "Anyway, my job's done here. Delivering the message."

"Take it back," Roman snapped. "I'm not going."

I twisted toward him, shocked. "Roman..."

He raised a hand sharply. "Savannah. Don't."

Reese chuckled, eyes glinting. "Listen to your best friend,brother.Besides, she's invited too. Father wants to meet her." Then, softer,more dangerous. "And Cassandra is dying to meet her as well."

The name hit Roman like a blade. His whole body coiled, rage rippling through him in a way that made my breath catch.

Cassandra-whoever that was, Roman looked like he wanted to strangle the very air at the mention of her name.

"Don't," he growled, stepping forward until they were toe-to-toe. "Don't ever say that name in front of me again."

Reese tilted his head, unbothered. "Still clinging to that old wound?You never could let things go."

Roman's teeth clenched, his height casting a shadow over his brother."Get.Out."

Whispers rippled through the room. People were watching,

whispering about the two brothers ready to tear each other apart in public.

Reese shoved his hands in his pockets,leaning forward just slightly."Father doesn't have much time, Roman. That's why he wants all of us together."

Roman's breath hitched. "What are you talking about?"

Reese's smirk faltered, just for a second. His tone softened. "He's sick.Terminal. A few months left, mnaybe less."

The world tilted.

Roman's face didn't move, but I saw the flicker in his eyes. The storm

building, dangerous and slow. My own chest tightened,heart hammering as the weight of Reese's words settled over us like a curse.