Emily called in sick this morning, but Levi hadn’t spoken to her. No, he had to learn it secondhand from the receptionist.

He didn’t like that.

He’d fucked up. Again.

He rubbed his forehead. All he could think about was how sexy Emily was last night and how much he wanted her. He’d searched for her after she ran out, but it was dark and she’d been stealthy. Her clothes were gone from the dock, so he knew she must have left. She’d ignored the three text messages he sent her. If she hadn’t called in this morning, he would have sent out a search team.

Emily thought he believed that she was no good for him? She was wrong. He had too much baggage and was no good for her. As soon as she found someone else, she’d realize that.

Levi scowled. He hated thinking of her with someone else. Made him want to punch something.

He crossed his arms over his T-shirt and kicked up his boots on the windowsill of his office. He’d felt like shit this morning, so he’d ditched the uptight clothes that had become habit these last few weeks and worn what was comfortable.

Regardless of how wound up he was over Emily, he had to take his attention off the woman he craved but couldn’t have and put it toward this goddamn Samuel Miller situation. The man had stolen information from the club with help from at least one of Levi’s employees—their computer admin. He’d also stolen money, both of which Levi’s finance director was looking into—and bitching about the entire time. The company had grown. His financial director had needed backup for a while, which was why he hadn’t noticed the money go astray earlier. The embezzlement situation brought out the holes in their human resources and was pushing his finance director over the edge.

Levi had to find an employee with solid qualifications to assist his finance guy, and the quicker he found someone, the faster he’d be able to take information to the authorities. He didn’t trust the lawyers they’d been using, so he needed a new lawyer too.

People thought they could take advantage of him and his brothers? That the sons of Ethan Cade were no good for anything and couldn’t handle running this place? They were wrong.

Levi dialed the number he’d gotten from Lisa moments ago. “Hello, Jared? This is Levi Cade.”

“Hey—Levi… Emily okay?”

Levi pressed his fingers to his eyes. “I, uh, yes. That is, she called in sick, but I don’t think it’s anything serious.” Other than hating his guts right now. “I was calling about a business proposition. Emily says you’re one of the best finance men in town. I already have a finance director, but we’ve got a sticky situation over here and my director could use extra help. I’ve been meaning to bring in someone else for a while, and this new situation has brought the need to a head. I’ll pay you ten percent above what you’re currently earning. I want someone I can trust, and I need them now.”

“O-kay. I wasn’t expecting this, but it’s a welcome offer… I’d like to meet with you and talk about the sticky situation you mentioned. Meet the finance director. I’ll also want to talk to Lisa and make sure she’s okay with everything.”

“Of course.”

They ended the call with a plan to meet the next morning.

Emily was right about one thing. The past was gone and all that remained was the future. He planned to make sure he took care of the club and its workers, and that his brothers had the best future possible. With so much responsibility on his shoulders, Levi’s personal wants were irrelevant.

* * *

The next day, and the day after that, Emily called in sick again. Levi was about to snap. Things were moving forward on their investigation into Samuel Miller, and Jared had even accepted Levi’s offer as finance manager and started work today. But Levi felt like crap, and it wouldn’t go away.

Jared had come in at five this morning, and he and the finance director worked through lunch getting things in order. The police were notified and everything Levi needed to take to the station was coming together. He might not be a firefighter anymore, but he could still put out fires. Only right now, he couldn’t feel anything but pissed off.

Emily didn’t return his calls and she wouldn’t show for work. If she hadn’t chatted with the receptionist this morning again, he would have gone to her house to make sure something hadn’t happened to her. But the only thing that had happened to her was him.

He might be capable of resolving the situation with Miller, but it wasn’t as much fun without Emily at his side, carrying around her tablet and keeping him on task. Not that he needed it, but…he liked it. Liked having her here, and even at his home the one time he’d talked her into watching Grace.

Levi could keep Club Tahoe running, but without Emily, there was no warmth in the old place. Hell, she’d added warmth to his life.

Was it a mistake to make the club his priority? Shit, his father had done the same thing and it had nearly ruined their lives. What the hell had he been thinking? These last couple of days, he couldn’t even figure out anymore why it was such a big deal to date his ex’s sister. Maybe it would be a problem for some, but he was starting to think he didn’t give a fuck.

Ever since Emily left him in the pool house a few nights ago, he’d felt like he’d lost one of his legs. As though he were limping around in circles. Emily hadn’t been in need of rescuing like most of the women he dated. She’d been there for him. And he’d pushed her away.

Goddammit.

Levi stepped out of his office and locked it for the day. He hadn’t bothered to dress formally all week. Too much effort, and he needed all the strength he could get to put one foot in front of the other. For some reason, he was as low as he had been after the accident. Which was insane, if he thought about it. Other than his brothers, nothing had meant more to him than the firehouse.

For the first time, everything was coming together at Club Tahoe. The finances were in order, with the source of the damage identified and currently facing charges. Levi had hired a new lawyer, as well as a new computer administrator, with a background in coding to make sure the last admin hadn’t set up a back door into the system. And the children’s program was already booked solid. But Levi felt like shit, and it had nothing to do with the stress of keeping the club running.

“I’m off,” he said to the receptionist, who was a guy today. There were two receptionists who worked part-time. A young woman who attended the local college, and a busboy who wanted office experience. The kid even dressed the part in his slacks, white shirt, and tie. He looked better than Levi these days.

He’d have to start wearing the monkey suit again. No matter how shitty his personal life, he couldn’t come to work in jeans and boots much longer if he wanted his employees and guests to take him seriously.

On his way out, he swung by the pro shop.

And found Wes behind the counter scowling.

“What’s wrong with you?” If one more rotten thing happened this week, Levi might break something.

“Nothing,” Wes grumbled, marking off items on a list atop the counter.

Didn’t look like nothing. Wes’s mouth was white around the edges, and he wouldn’t look up. “Everything okay on the course?”

“Fine.”

Levi glanced around. The pro shop seemed in good shape—a few customers milling about. “Then what the hell’s the matter with you?” he said quietly enough so that only Wes could hear.

Wes finally glanced up, but not at Levi. He stared across the room at a couple looking at golf shirts with the club’s logo.

The man was about Levi’s age, and the woman seemed the same—maybe a little younger. Pretty. “You got a problem with the couple over there?”

Wes glared. “No fucking problem. Just want them to get the fuck out.”

Levi held up his hands. “Calm down. If this is how you treat our customers, we need to have a talk.”

Wes gripped his dark hair, his eyes bright with fury. “Why would she come here?”

Levi looked again. “The girl?”

“Yes, the girl,” his brother hissed.

“Who is she?”

Wes glanced away. “No one.”

Levi shook his head. “Right. Clock off. Now. That’s an order. Is there someone who can take over?”

Wes motioned to one of the employees stocking clothing on a back shelf.

His coworker walked up, and Wes handed over the keys to the store. “Close up and make sure the display is dusted before you leave.”

Levi and Wes made their way out of the pro shop.

“You’re coming to my place,” Levi said. “Nothing like manual labor to get your mind off things.”

Wes was so bent out of shape that he didn’t even argue.

They walked through the parking lot, and Levi asked, “What was that back there, anyway? Never seen you angry at a woman before.”

Wes stared straight ahead. “I dated her in school.”

“High school?”

Wes hesitated. “College.”

Levi stopped in the middle of the parking lot. “This wouldn’t be the same woman who was your girlfriend for two years and dumped you right before your pro career took a nosedive, would it?”

The look Wes shot him told Levi everything he needed to know. He left it alone. After all, he had his own woman issues. No need to burden himself with Wes’s.

“So what’s this manual labor you need?” Wes stopped at his car and looked over the hood to where Levi was parked.

“We’re building an A-frame at the fire pit.”

Wes rolled his eyes. “You ever think to ask before you give orders? I’m not your slave.”

Levi let out a breath. “You got anything better to do? I figured you needed to get out of the shop before you went caveman in there.”

Wes snarled and got in his car.

Before Levi pulled away, he made sure to check that his other brothers were meeting them at the house as well.

What Levi hadn’t told Wes, and what he wouldn’t tell any of them, was that he needed them more than they needed him right now.