Page 1 of Paper Horses

Chapter 1

Liv

The noise from the city bustle assaulted my ears. Horns blared, and people complained as they talked on their phones, ignoring the world as they rushed by. I stepped from the car, disregarding the driver as he told me to have a nice day, and walked the straight path to the building. My heels clicked on the marble floor when I passed through the door. Gold with silver accents because my father had enjoyed flaunting his money…in a tasteful, elegant way of course.

I nodded to Bruce, the morning guard, when he greeted me, making my way to the elevator and using my key card to access the executive offices. I stared at my nails, holding my hand out and debating if I should have chosen another color. Manic mauve. A color I’d picked on a whim but now seemed too dark. The elevator pinged, letting me know I was on the top floor.

As I adjusted my purse and walked through the opening doors, our secretary, Paula, greeted me with her typical chipper manner, which, without my morning coffee, caused me to bristle even more than usual. Gabe had bribed me to come in early with the offer to pick up my caffeinated necessity, which was the only reason I was in the office before ten. I dropped my bag on my desk, noticing Tori’s office was empty and assuming I would find her in Gabe’s office, preferably fully clothed. I’d made the mistake of walking in on their playtime once, and that had been enough to scar me for life.

Stretching my arms, I stifled my yawn and headed to Gabe’s office. The skirt on my black dress fell just above my knees, and the material made a crisp swishing sound with my steps. A sound that made me regret the purchase.

My knuckles rapped on the door. Three loud knocks that ensured they heard me. It was too early to handle seeing anything that might traumatize me.

Barging in, I said, “If you two are going at it, I’m going to gouge my eyes out.”

Both heads lifted, and Gabe glared at me but didn’t remove his hand from Tori’s thigh, which was conveniently at his disposal since she was sitting on his desk.

“Can’t you two do that in the morning before you get here?” I complained, smoothing my skirt under me as I sat.

“We do,” Gabe grumbled, giving Tori’s leg a squeeze. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want more.”

My eye roll was prominent enough to hurt. “Gross.”

“Good morning to you, too, Liv,” said Tori, hopping from the desk. She adjusted her skirt and gave my brother a kiss on the cheek. “I have a call I need to prep for, so I’ll let you two talk.”

“Lunch?” Gabe said before she could make it to the door.

“Geez, Gabe, you see her every day. You live with her.”

“And I eat lunch with her, grouch.”

“Lunch at one,” she said, looking between us and chuckling. “I seriously don’t know how you two have worked together for so long.”

“Because she never works, and she’s barely here.”

My glare turned lethal but didn’t deter his goofy grin.

“You have my permission to hit him, Liv.”

“I don’t need your permission,” I snapped, but the door had closed, leaving me alone with my brother.

I sat back, crossing my arms.

“I thought we were having a meeting. And where is my coffee?”

The door opened again, and Tori came running in with two coffees from the shop around the corner.

“I forgot I left these on my desk.”

“Nice save,” I said, taking mine.

She scooted back out, surprisingly well for how spiked her heels were today.

“Damn, I love those heels,” Gabe said, sipping his coffee as his eyes lingered on the door.

“Don’t make me throw my coffee at you. I need the caffeine, and that shirt looks tailored.”

“It is.” He threw me a steely look, setting the coffee down and adjusting his cuffs. “And we do have a meeting. You and I.”