“And so, with the new tariffs the government is imposing on imports, there is a short-term profit opportunity for us.”

I tune out the guy at the front of the boardroom, one of the higher-level execs who isn’t a member of a ‘family team.’ He’s useful from time to time, but there’s a reason he’s found himself stuck in short-term, low-risk projects.

I’m just about to scan the room to see what Chase and Olivia are thinking when my phone buzzes. Glancing around to make sure nobody’s watching, I take it out, keeping it in my lap.

I can’t believe what we did last night. Please tell me you’re in a boring meeting right now, imagining me on the table like you said. ;)

Madison. I got her home about one in the morning before going back to my place and crashing for a few hours. Still, my lack of sleep hasn’t hurt me. If anything, I feel energized and renewed. And yeah, sitting down at the board table today, I had a few hot flashbacks.

I tap out a response quickly. You like that I’m getting hard in the middle of a meeting because of you, don’t you?

There’s a delay in response, which makes me smirk as I look up and pretend to pay attention to the presentation going on up front.

I have a feeling she wants to play coy and act like she’s the good girl and that I made her bad. But I know she loved every last fucking minute of it. I know I damn sure did. Even after getting home, I had to quickly stroke off, wishing she was there for round two to cure my aching balls.

Finally, her response comes back.

I love it. Loved last night too.

Underneath the table, my cock hardens and my balls ache for release. I hold back a groan, knowing I can’t let a sound out. I have to delay this until after the meeting when I can take care of things in my office. Maybe I can call Madison and listen to her rub her sweet pussy for me while I jack off.

A few seconds later, I get another text. I’ve never done something so bad before.

Fuck. I almost type out a reply that I can show her bad, that I want to fuck her against those windows in my office, that I want to feel her soft lips wrapped around my cock while I sit at my desk, that I want to bend her over the bar at Stella’s and claim her so no one will ever disrespect her again.

In a meeting. Can’t talk.

Aww, I get with a frowny face. Well, I’m off to the rescue.

I should tell her to have a good time and put my phone away, but I can’t help myself.

Are you wearing those shorts I saw you in on TV?

Yeah, why? Like them?

My cock hardens even more, and I know I have to end this quick.

Fuck, yes. I can’t wait to see you tonight.

I shove the phone back into my pocket, hoping she doesn’t text me back. The vibration might be enough to send me over the edge.

“So that’s the deal,” he says at the front of the room, pulling my attention back to the meeting. I catch Olivia giving me a glance, but her face reveals nothing, which I guess is the best I can hope for.

There’s a polite buzz as the speaker sits down and Dad gets to his feet. “An interesting proposal. I’d like you to develop it more and send me the full package. Now, I have an announcement to make.”

I cut my eyes over to Chase and Olivia, but they both look as clueless as I do, which worries me. At least when my father’s stabbing only one of us in the back, I can predict what the fallout is going to be. Now, we’re all just waiting for his decree.

“I’ve decided that, before the company moves forward with the final decision on the major deals that Chase, Olivia, and Scott presented last week,” he says, making me bite my tongue for being announced third again, “I’m going to invite the heads of the various companies involved.”

“How so, sir?” Julian, one of the other executive vice presidents who is basically my father’s lapdog, asks. Dad gives him a small smile, a Milk Bone to his puppy.

“Glad you asked. I’m arranging a meet-and-greet dinner party downstairs in the ballroom. It’ll facilitate our learning more about them and their learning more about us, although I’m sure they’re thrilled to even be considered by Danger Enterprises. Kids . . . you can work with reps from your pet projects and each do a presentation of your plan once again. Let’s see if anything new shakes out.”

Dad looks pleased as punch at his idea, and I sneak another look at Chase and Olivia. To most folks, they probably look agreeable, but I can see the tension in Olivia’s eyes as she holds back the eyeroll, and Chase’s lips are almost lemon-pucker pursed. Guess his big move of coordinating a meeting between Lightspeed and Dad just blew up in his face. Now, we all get that opportunity. Way to level the playing field, Dad . . . while still controlling the plays like a dictator coach.

There’s a general murmur, most of it going along with Julian’s ass kissing. I hear lots of ‘great idea, sir,’ and ‘fine plan, Robert,’ and a ‘that sounds like fun, sir.’

Meanwhile, one person down at the end of the table, Marv Reinhold, clears his throat. “Mr. Danger, while that sounds like fun . . . it might end up having the opposite effect.”

Marv’s words are like ice in the room, and Dad turns, his face going from pleasantly absorbing the adulation of his sycophants to cloudy. “Excuse me, Marv?”

“I said that it might not be the best way forward, sir,” Marv says, his face going slightly pale as he realizes what he’s just stepped into. “I’m just saying . . . if the shoe was on the other foot, and Danger Enterprises was being invited to a partnership with another company, and we found ourselves being wined and dined while our potential partner trotted out the other companies they’re considering like a dog and pony show . . . well, we’d be grossly insulted and bail on the opportunity. I’d hate for that to happen with these proposals. These companies want the influx of our cash, and perhaps the competitive nature would make them want to win in the short term, but whomever we select will likely never trust us as a business partner in the long term. I’m afraid it’s a bit too ‘game show’ for such a serious matter.”

“Game show? You think this is a game, Marv?” Dad snarls, his face showing his fury. I’ve seen that look before. I’ve been on the receiving end of it multiple times, and you need to be made of titanium to withstand it. Marv is not titanium. He’s not even stainless steel.

“Of course not, sir. That’s what I’m saying.” Marv starts backpedaling, but Dad cuts him off with an outstretched hand.

“I want to know these companies inside and out before investing millions in their little start-ups. This is happening, so get on board with the game plan,” Dad tells the table of executives, cold menace in his words as he sneers ‘game’ with a pointed look at Marv. The whole room is silent as Dad looks around, his eyes a katana ready to behead whoever wants to go against him next.

Nobody, not even me, is willing to say anything, not even to correct him that none of these companies are exactly fly-by-night operations from some guy’s basement. All three proposed companies are medium-sized empires poised to launch into something much bigger. With our funds, of course.

Dad nods. “Meeting adjourned. Kids, stay behind.”

Marv looks pale but stands with as much dignity as he can muster and leaves with the rest of the board. When it’s just the four of us, Dad looks us over. “You three will not disappoint me.”

Hell of a pep talk. But that’s him, deliver or bust.

“Of course, Father,” Olivia says. “I’m sure the guests will enjoy a more festive gathering to present their potential to you and the board.” Her tone is even, flattering. But it’s a front. It always is with her, especially in her dealings with Dad. I wonder for a split second how she feels knowing that he always dismisses her, even when she does have a great idea. Consequence of having a vagina, according to Dad. A kernel of pity gnaws at my gut for her. She is brilliant and works her ass off to chase down new directions for Danger Enterprises, but she never gets any credit. My lips are this close to tilting up, offering her a brotherly smile, when I see her lean over to whisper to a smiling Chase.

Fuck it. Let Chase smirk and Olivia scheme.

Dad demands my attention from the sibling battle taking shape in my head. “Scott, what do you think?”

“I’m not worried. I know my proposal is good.”

He raises an eyebrow, but I’m not bullshitting. I’m confident.

I can see Chase giving me an eye like he wants to needle me, but he stays silent.

Dad gives us both a look and smirks a little. He always has gotten off on Chase and me butting heads. “For appearance’s sake, I also expect you all to have dates.”

I blink, surprised as his announcement makes me realize . . . none of us have been involved in a relationship to speak of in a while. Sure, Chase plays the field, but I can’t see him settling down anytime soon. Liv, who knows? You can never tell with her.

Chase grumbles, sighing. “Really?” If either Liv or I had questioned him, we’d be flayed open. But Dad just gives Chase a sharp look.

“Yes, really. Dates,” Dad says, his raised eyebrow communicating that Chase has pushed enough. “Now back to work.”

We leave, and I’m surprised when Olivia gets on the elevator with me, because she normally takes the stairs, claiming it’s good for her calves. “Can we talk?”

“Sure, why?” I ask as the doors close.

“About the date. You mind if I borrow your friend, Robbie?”

I’m surprised and give her a look before bursting out laughing. “If I told you no, would that stop you?”

She sighs. “I’m not dating anyone, and if I ask someone from my team, it’ll lead to issues of favoritism. And we all know how well that doesn’t work. I’d rather not cause tension in my group.”

“But you will in mine? How’s it look that you’re taking one of my team members, my best friend at that?”

Her face looks pained for a moment, and I flash back to my earlier thoughts about the stranglehold my dad has on her, different from the one he tightens on Chase and me, but no less uncomfortable. I acquiesce, giving her a nod. “Fine.”

“Thanks,” Olivia says as the doors open and she walks off. Always short, at least with me. Given that Dad has always pitted us against one another, I understand.

On the next elevator stop, I get off and head into my office, where Robbie is already waiting for me. “So, how’d it go?”

“Olivia’s going to ask you to escort her to a work event,” I tell him before filling him in on Dad’s plan. “So I need you to start putting together a presentation. Start with the one I gave the board and polish it up to the point that every bit of it shines.”

“Okay . . . and for Liv?”

“It’s just business,” I reply, unconcerned. “I don’t think she’ll try to seduce you over to her team, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

He smirks, a light in his eyes. “Or maybe I’m hoping for a bit of seduction to her bedroom? See if I can melt the Ice Queen’s cave with my hot sword?”

“That’s my sister, asshole.” I doubt Liv needs me to protect her. She can protect herself damn fine on her own. But she’s my fucking sister, and I know what a perv Robbie can be. So no, just no.

His smile widens. “Speaking of girls, though. You owe me, man, after that whole honky-tonk night. Seriously, I’ve been working so hard that I’ve started to go down the porn rabbit hole.” He gestures like he’s jacking off, then wipes the imaginary sweat from his brow with a pained look.

I roll my eyes, laughing at Robbie’s faux-desperation. “You don’t need me. Do your thing.”

“Hell no, man! Let’s go out, make it rain like the old days,” Robbie says, grinning.

I think about it but shake my head. “Sorry, I’m going home tonight.”

Robbie snorts. “You lying sack of shit. You’re going back to that bar, aren’t you?”

“Fuck you. That place is a dive,” I lie.

I’m shocked when I pull in at Stella’s, my body driving there on autopilot even as my mind hadn’t decided whether to go. The parking lot is packed, and when I get inside, I see it’s just as crowded. Stella is at the register talking animatedly with a guy who legitimately has an honest-to-God mullet. Tiff is nearly being fondled by a dusty ass old man, and Carl is slumped over drunk at a table in the corner. It all seems familiar somehow.

The next instant, I see Madison, and all other thoughts flee my mind. She’s sexy as always, setting down a Moscow Mule in front of a hipster-looking couple. Desire courses through me as I find an empty foot of wood at the bar and shoulder my way in.

Madison is at the other end of the bar, her back turned, giving me a great view of her ass . . . but also giving the other guys around me the same view. They’re looking at her like a side of meat and it pisses me off.

She’s mine. And she deserves better than this . . . these assholes. This place. This job. Madison said Stella has bent over backward to help her, but there’s only so much Stella can do. And that’s a hell of a lot less than I can.

I could give her more, so much more.

Wait. What the fuck am I thinking? She’s not mine, and I’m not giving her the world on some fucking silver platter. I barely know her. Just one date, some texts, and an admittedly epic fuck.

But something inside me knows that’s not true. Something about her is different. It’s the way she challenges me, the way she asks me questions and the way she looked at me while I was standing at the head of the boardroom table. She wasn’t impressed by the potential power I will have as the head of Danger Enterprises. She was only interested in the power I had over her. She doesn’t give a rat’s ass about my last name. She just likes me. And that feels . . . strange and exciting.

I saw something in her eyes that night, something that’s inside me too.

And it’s growing.

I keep thinking she needs me to save her from her hard life. But maybe it’s the other way around. Maybe I need her to save me from a life filled with cold indifference. All my worries fade away when she smiles at me or when she’s in my arms. I could get addicted to that feeling. Addicted to her. Fuck.

Madison plops a beer mug on the bar and turns. Her face lights up when she sees me, and something tight in my chest loosens. She walks my way, and I hold her gaze, not letting it go, even as I catch the head swivels from the guys as they watch her pass in my peripheral vision.

“Hey!” she greets me as she leans against the bar in front of me.

Needing to stake my claim, I lean across the bar, planting a greeting kiss on her lips as I wrap my hand around her neck. It’s not as long as I’d like, but the taste of her settles my ire. “How’s it going, baby?”

I can see in her eyes how exhausted she is, but whether it’s from slinging drinks or from the way she’s treated by her customers, I’m not sure. Hopefully, my being a possessive fucker helps settle that matter, at least.

She licks her lips, tasting me too, and I collect her heated flush like a prize. “Better now that you’re there. How was work?”

Her country accent seems even thicker than before. But I love it.

“Not too bad. I’d say I’ve got as many wolves to deal with as you do.” I say, giving her a wink.

“Yeah, but you get to wear a suit,” Madison points out. “So, Snow Queen?”

“Nah . . . surprise me with something you think I’ll like,” I reply. I watch as she turns and picks a bottle of cognac off the top shelf. She adds a few more ingredients and then sets the drink in front of me with a flirty smile.

“Here you go. Something high-class and classic. A Remy Sidecar.”

“Never had one, but if you suggest it, I’m sure I’ll love it. Much like your other suggestions,” I say, letting my voice drop low. Every guy around us thinks I’m talking about something sexual, not realizing Madison’s suggestions equated to a sweet ice skating date, but I’m damn sure not going to explain. Fuckers shouldn’t be eavesdropping anyway.

I take a sip and hum my enjoyment. Her lips part in a knowing smile. “You off tomorrow night? I’d like to take you out . . . my choice this time.”

She bites her lip, testing my control and knowing it. “Nah, scheduled to work all evening.”

Fuck that. I break her gaze, looking over to the register and yelling out, “Hey, Stella! Madison can’t work tomorrow. I think she’s coming down with something. Gonna have to get Carl to cover the bar.”

Stella laughs and looks at Madison for her reaction. I hold my breath, waiting too. It’s a power move, a rather public one, and if she shuts me down, it’s gonna fucking hurt. Probably worse than the hangover I got from my last big move.

Madison schools her face as she looks at Stella and fake coughs. “Yeah . . . cough-cough . . . not feeling too well. Might have to take the night off tomorrow.”

Stella laughs, and I release the breath I was holding. “Sure thing, honey. Carl can cover for you. Lord knows, you cover for his lazy ass enough. You two have fun. I mean, take good care of my girl, Suit. Make sure she’s feeling better.”

Fuck. Yes.