Page 32 of My Ex's Billionaire Brothers

Theo’s knuckles go white on the steering wheel. “You telling her?”

I blow out a breath. I really do not want to do this. Everything’s been going so well. But there’s no point in hiding it from her. “I have to. Otherwise, she’ll be blindsided.”

He nods, gaze flicking to the rearview mirror, then back to me. The hum of the road grows louder in my ears as I turn to face Anya. She’s got her phone in her hand, but I recall that Hunter blocked any notifications from Calvin’s socials. She sees me watching and lifts a brow in curiosity.

“Everything okay?” she asks, pushing a strand of wavy brown hair behind her ear.

I clear my throat, heart sinking at the prospect of ruining her morning. “I just saw a post on our mom’s social media. Calvin’s apparently coming to Castle Beach. With his new girlfriend.”

Her face pales, the color draining as my heart sinks. “He’s—so soon?”

“I’m sorry. I know it’s the last thing you want to hear?—”

“Who?”

“What?”

“The girlfriend.”

This is going to sting. “Brenna.”

She blows out a long breath. “So, it’s official. They’re together.”

I’m not sure how to respond. There’s nothing I can say that will make this better. “Evidently.”

Her mind reels, and I can see it in her eyes. The calculations, the anger, the pain. “People in Castle Beach already talk, especially about me running off to Boston like a fool. And if Calvin shows up with someone else…” She trails off, glancing out the window. “I’m just afraid he’ll say or do something that hurts my parents or humiliates me in front of everyone.”

Guilt twists in my gut.He’s done enough to humiliate her already.“He won’t,” I say firmly. “We won’t let him. If he tries anything, he’ll have to go through us.”

She gives me a wan smile. “Thank you.”

I face forward again, anger stewing in my veins. Calvin’s actions always leave destruction in their wake. The man might be my half brother, but that doesn’t mean I won’t kick his ass if he hurts Anya again. The only reason he has for coming to Castle Beach is to upset her. I’m going to make him regret it.

A couple of hours later, we pull into a run-down gas station off the highway. The air is thick with the smell of diesel and fried snacks. Theo grabs the pump, Hunter stretches his legs, and Anya heads inside to use the restroom. I linger by the SUV, phone in hand. Frustration gnaws at me—I need to know why Calvin isn’t going to the big Carver family gathering. What excuse did he give everyone? How is he going to play this?

I dial my mother. She picks up on the third ring, her voice sliding into that polished tone only old-money socialites can muster. “Gage, darling, where on earth are you?”

“On the road,” I reply, curt. “Are you aware that Calvin’s skipping the family’s Fourth of July plans in favor of Castle Beach?”

She lets out a tinkling laugh that makes my molars grind. “Oh, yes. He has a rather important announcement to make, dear, and he wanted to make it in front of his three eldest brothers. You know how he values your opinion. But since you three are chauffeuring that girl around the country instead of spending time with your family, he had to adjust his travel arrangements.”

I grip the phone tighter. “Thegirl’sname is Anya. And maybe if Calvin hadn’t been such an ass to her, we wouldn’t be cleaning up his mess.”

“Now, Gage,” she chides, “that’s hardly a kind way to speak of your brother. And what about me? I had hoped we’d all be together for this momentous occasion.”

My patience frays. “You jet off to exotic locales every holiday. Why is this year so different?”

She sighs, like she’s disappointed I’m not catching on. “Don’t ruin the surprise by telling the others, but Calvin is announcing his Senate run, darling. He needs the family’s support. He was hoping for a charming little press piece, all the Carvers in one place.”

I bark a humorless laugh. “So that’s the real reason he dumped Anya? Some lousy government job?”

“It’s notlousy, Gage,” she says, her voice going cold and dropping her usual pretension. “We are a legacy family, and a Senate seat is quite a respectable step in the right direction. It takes an ambitious mind to pursue such a path.”

I roll my shoulders, forcing back a snarl. “Anya’s worth more than any fleeting power play. Any man would be lucky to have her on his arm.”

There’s a heartbeat of silence, then my mother’s voice dips back into that singsong tone. “You sound like you’re in love, darling. Perhaps there’s more behind this road trip than just pity for Calvin’s cast-off fiancée.”

“And you sound like you love your son’s ambition more than human beings.”