Angelia enters my office looking uncomfortable as she chews on a fingernail.

“What’s going on?” I gather up the papers on my desk. “You look a little flustered.”

“Someone is here to see you. He’s still downstairs.” She clasps her hands in front of her. “He told the security guard he’s your brother. He’s demanding to be let in.”

Angelia doesn’t know who Travis is because she’s been working for me for less than a year.

In silence I consider whether I should let Travis in or not. But if I don’t, I’m pretty sure he’ll make a stink. Over the phone he told me he’s changing, yet he refuses to do something as simple as respecting my wishes. I made it clear I’d be the one contacting him.

To be fair, it’s been two days since I got back and I haven’t had the courage to get in touch.

“Tell them to let him in.” I knead my shoulder to release the tension that’s building up. “And hold my calls for an hour.”

“Yes, sir.” Angelia walks out again, her back stiff. Even though she’s up here on the highest floor, there’s a mini camera at her desk that shows her everybody who enters and exits the building. She must have been shocked to see someone who looks like me.

I’m hoping Travis will behave himself. The last time he came over, a couple of years ago, he had been so drunk and so pissed off that I was not giving him money, that he offered my female employees a free fuck. I had him thrown out and warned him never to step foot into the building again. He was lucky that I covered his ass so he did not get sued.

Travis strides in a few minutes later, head held high, looking all important as though he belongs here. But I’m surprised to see him dressed in a suit, with a crisp shirt and pants. He looks as though he’s coming to work instead of a visit.

There’s no way I’d ever allow him to work for me. It would be a disaster.

Last time I saw him, he wore wrinkled shirts and jeans with holes in them. Maybe it’s true. Maybe he really is making an effort to change. But a part of me tells me it’s wishful thinking.

“What happened to you?” I ask, standing up and giving him a hug. It feels like the right thing to do. No matter what happened between us, we are still brothers. That’s a connection no one can ever break. If he really wants to change, maybe I should give him that opportunity. But it would be the last chance I would ever give him.

I kind of feel guilty about not telling Jenna about him, but I wasn’t sure how she would react to me having a brother like him.

“What’s up, brother? Long time no see.” He pulls back but keeps a hand on my shoulder. Looking into his face, it feels like I’m looking at myself. We are completely identical. How could we look so alike and be so different inside?

“Why are you dressed up today?” I chuckle. I don’t want to admit to myself that a part of me is happy to see him. The desire to have a brother has returned. I hope I will not be disappointed yet again.

“Since this is a fancy building, I figured I should clean up. Suits are the uniform around here, aren’t they?” He gives me a toothy grin. One of his teeth is chipped. Great way to tell us apart.

“Thanks for making an effort.”

I lean against the desk and fold my arms in front of my chest, suddenly dreading our conversation because I know it will end up being about money. “So, what brings you here?”

“Can’t I visit my brother without having a reason?”

“Travis, do you remember what happened the last time you were here? Some of the women you sexually assaulted are still working for me. You’re lucky they didn’t sue your ass.”

A dark shadow settles on his features and the angry, bitter brother comes out to play. “Yeah, remind me of the past. That’s what you do best.”

“Whatever the case, when we spoke I said I would call you.”

“Yep, that’s exactly what you said.” He comes to stand next to me and adopts the same body language I’m using. “But you didn’t call, did you? I only found out from the newspapers that you’re back in the city.” His face takes on a stony expression. “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t call your brother.”

“I have my reasons and you know them.” I turn to him. “I still don’t know whether to trust you after everything you have done.”

“When are you going to believe that I’m a changed man? I’m serious about starting a relationship with you.”

“Well, let’s not talk here. Let’s go to the bar downstairs.” I need to get him out of my office before one of his victims shows up.

“I know what you’re trying to do, bro. You’re trying to keep me from hitting on your hot personal assistant.”

Fuming, I yank my suit jacket from the back of my chair and shrug it on. Then without giving him a response, I practically drag him out of the office. Fortunately, we hardly bump into anyone on the way to the bar downstairs. But he ogles every woman who walks by as though they’re pieces of meat.

In the bar, he orders a whiskey. I go for water.

“You and your water. When are you ever going to drink something real?”

“I do drink alcohol, but not when I’m working.”

“But it’s your company. You can do whatever the fuck you want.”

“What kind of example will I be setting for my employees?”

He shrugs. “Tell them you’re the boss and some rules don’t apply to you.”

“That’s not how it works around here.”

“Why do I get the feeling you are angry with me about something?” He takes a swig from his drink. “I’m making an effort around here and I feel like I’m hitting a brick wall. Are you still pissed about what happened between me and the model?”

“Of course not. That was a long time ago. I’ve moved on, as you know.”

“Yeah, but you have to remember it wasn’t one-sided. She didn’t exactly fight me off.”

“You better stop talking right now. You’re starting to really piss me off.”

He runs his tongue across his upper teeth. “Fine. Let’s talk about other things then. Let me tell you about Brazil. That’s where I was the last couple of months. And Vienna, and Prague.”

“And what were you running from?”

“I wasn’t running from shit. I had business to attend there.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Exactly what kind of business are you involved in anyway?” I’m still finding it hard to believe that someone trusts him enough to get into business with him.

“If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.” He drains his glass. His eyes don’t leave mine. “If you must know, it’s an exclusive kind of business. Not everyone can be a partner. I’m not ready to talk about it right now, though. You might not approve.”

I massage my brow. “I hope it’s nothing illegal.”

“Since when have I played it safe? Life is too boring to stay in the comfort zone.”

“Travis, promise me to be careful.”

“Trust me, I am. If I weren’t careful, wouldn’t I be in prison right now?”

“Maybe you’re just lucky.”

He raises his glass. “Then let’s hope my lucky streak lasts for a long time.”

The way he’s talking makes me uncomfortable. I hope he hasn’t gotten himself involved in something that could end up hurting him.

I lean forward. “How about a clue as to what your business is about?”

“A gentlemen club, a secret society, so to speak. It’s for gentlemen like myself.”

“Gentlemen like you?” I try not to laugh but fail.

“Yeah, my kind of gentlemen.” He sucks in air through his teeth. “Not everyone is welcome into the club.”

“And where are you headquartered?” It’s my responsibility as a brother to look into this thing he’s involved in, to make sure he doesn’t end up in prison, especially since I’ll be the one bailing him out.

“Anywhere and everywhere. The partners are from all over the world.”

“Sounds like a huge operation.”

“You have no idea.” The conversation stops when he orders another whiskey. I wait for the waitress to go away.

“Does this business of yours have a name?”

“I can’t share that with you right now. Maybe one day when you choose to become an investor.”

“What makes you think I’ll be interested?” I prop my chin on my hand.

“Believe me, if you’re meant to be one of us, you will have no choice but to become an investor.” He inches forward. “But I’m hoping you can help me out a little. Like I said before, it will only be a loan.”

I set my palms down flat on the table. “How much?”

“About a hundred grand.”

“One hundred thousand?” I take a huge gulp of water. It’s not about the cash, but I’m wary of giving him money to fund a business I know nothing about.

He taps his fingers on the table. “If you don’t give the money to me, I could always get it in other, less legal, ways.”

“Are you threatening me?” My jaw grows tight. “Is that what you’re doing?”

“No.” His shoulders sink. “Sorry if it came across that way. I’m being an ass. It’s your money and I should be respectful.” A shadow crosses his features. “But I hate it when you judge me.”

“I’m not judging you. I’m actually trying to look out for you. Frankly, sometimes I don’t even know why.”

His face clears. “Because I’m lovable and I have the good looks to match. You just can’t help it.”

I want to stay furious at him, but instead I find myself chuckling. Underneath all the darkness and chaos, maybe there’s someone like me. Surely we can’t be so identical and not have anything in common whatsoever.

“Enough about the money for now. Tell me about your fiancée.”

Jenna is my favorite topic to talk about these days. I can’t help jumping into the story of how we met and fell in love. And then I shock myself by telling him maybe he should meet her. I had promised Jenna I would do it, but I was starting to have doubts. “How about dinner tomorrow so I can introduce the two of you?”

I must be out of my mind for doing this. I might even regret it, but something inside me is still drawn to him.

“How is she like? Is she pretty?”

“Why do you care?” I narrow my eyes at him.

He raises his hands in the air, palms facing me. “Calm down. I’m not planning on hitting on her.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” My eyes bore into his. “If you do anything stupid, I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”

“You must really love this chick to want to marry her.” He observes me for a moment. “Does that mean you have stopped yearning for your childhood flame?”

When we first met, I told him about my first love and how I didn’t think I could ever feel anything close to what I had felt then. I even went as far as telling him I never wanted to get married.

“Look, that’s the past. There’s no point in dwelling on it. Don’t bring her up again.”

“Loosen up, man. You take everything so seriously. Live in the flow for once. Everything you do is so planned and controlled all the time.”

“That’s because I like order. Planning is what got me to where I am.” I pause. “How about you? Are you seeing anyone?”

“Nothing serious.”

“I should hope not. We wouldn’t want you getting married and then beating up your wife again.”

“Want to know a secret?” He leans forward. “My ex-wife was not the only woman I have laid my hands on. And for your information, I only give women what they want. They ask for it. They like it even when they pretend they don’t.”

“You know what,” I retort. “You belong in prison for saying that.”

“You just hate it because I’m so honest. But it’s true. I had girlfriends who asked me to slap them. Pain turned them on.”

“Okay.” I adjust the lapels of my jacket and rise. “I think I’m done with this conversation. I’ll call you about dinner tomorrow.” Right now, I’m actually regretting inviting him. Suddenly I’m not so sure I want him to be around Jenna. But I’m the kind of person who hates breaking promises.

“What about the money?”

I think for a moment and come to a quick decision. I have money. A hundred thousand dollars is nothing to me. And if he really is turning his life around, maybe I should give him one last chance.

“I’ll have it wired to your account by the end of the day.”

I leave Travis in the bar, grinning like a fool. Before I walk through the door, I hear him ask for another whiskey.

I’m angry as I burst into my office. I lock the door to collect myself in peace. Even though he’s my brother, he has a way of saying things that rub me the wrong way.

The phone rings when I sink into my seat. My mood lifts when Jenna’s name appears on the screen. Since we got back, she has been distant and I don’t blame her. I was kind of an ass on the plane.

It’s just that it makes me uncomfortable to talk about my brother. But I shouldn’t have brushed her off like that. She was right that I should’ve told her about him. Why didn’t I simply apologize? Now it’s too late anyway. The only thing I can do right now is make it up to her. I’ll give her the best wedding she could ever have dreamed of. I’ll make everything perfect.

“Hi, sweetheart,” I say. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m putting together some applications. I’m planning on sending some off today.”

“Are you sure you want to search for a job?” I loosen my tie a little. “I mean, that’s fine with me, but why don’t you relax now and wait until the wedding is over? Then you have all the time in the world to search for something you really like.”

“That’s what I thought at first, but I like knowing that something will be waiting for me when we come back from our honeymoon.”

“I guess you have a point.” I spin a fountain pen on my desk.

“All right then. Anyway, I was about to call you. I’m having dinner with my brother tomorrow and I want you to join me. Is that all right?”

There’s a momentary silence on the other end, which she fills immediately. “Sure, I’d love to meet him.”

She might be excited about meeting Travis, but I dread bringing them together. What I would most like to do is keep them as far away from each other as possible. But I’m doing this for Jenna, not for me or Travis. It’s also a way for me to apologize for keeping her in the dark.