Page 1 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

CHAPTER 1

CASH

Summer was killing me.

Not the season. Summer the person. The scandal had me in its grip and wouldn’t let go. Even now, I was sitting in the back of a town car, on the phone doing damage control with another investor looking to distance his company from the Bancroft empire.

“Henderson, we’ve had a partnership for eight years.” My voice was controlled but I didn’t feel in control. “Eight profitable years. Walk me through what’s changed.”

“I appreciate everything Bancroft Holdings has done, Cash, but we’re moving in a different direction.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, eyes closed against the glare of late afternoon sun bouncing off Manhattan’s steel and glass towers. Even through the heavily tinted windows of the car, it was blinding.

Six months ago, I had hired a woman, Summer, to protect my brother. A simple solution to a complicated problem. At least, it was supposed to be simple.

It turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life. Summer had gotten upset that my brother didn’t want to fake a relationship with her and had chosen someone else, even though the woman he chose was the love of his life.

Summer broke her NDA and told the world I paid her to date my brother. It ruined my credibility and tainted the family name. And I was dealing with the fallout.

Greg, my longtime driver cursed under his breath. We were stuck in traffic heading out to the Hamptons, where my brother wanted to meet. I was pissed, too, but it was just one of those situations that required a stiff drink to get over.

But that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.

“A different direction,” I repeated.

“It’s not personal,” he said, which was corporate speak for it’s absolutely personal. “The board feels it’s time for fresh perspectives.”

Fresh perspectives. Did he honestly think I didn’t know corporate bullshit?

“The quarterly reports show a consistent upward trajectory,” I said, keeping my voice level even though I wanted to put my fist through something. “We exceeded projected returns by fourteen percent last quarter alone.”

“I know the numbers, Cash.”

“Then help me understand what I’m missing here. We’re making you money.”

Another pause. Longer this time. “I told you, it’s the Summer situation. It raised questions about judgment. About the Bancroft name and what it represents. My board. They have concerns.”

What a clusterfuck. I had thought I was doing the right thing by hiring a woman to play my brother’s fake girlfriend. Instead, I nearly blew up our entire family’s reputation when she turned blackmailer.

Austin and Melody salvaged it in the end. Mostly Melody, if I was being honest. She had the spine to take Summer down when I couldn’t see past my own arrogance. But the damage was done. The whispers started. And apparently, they hadn’t stopped.

“Your board has concerns,” I said. “What about you?”

“For what it’s worth, I pushed back hard. But I’m not the majority vote.”

“I understand. Thank you for the call, Henderson.”

“Cash—”

I ended the call before he could finish. There was nothing left to be said. The silence in the car felt oppressive but at least the traffic was thinning out. I reached out and adjusted the vent to direct the AC directly on my face.

Greg cleared his throat. “We’re about ten minutes out from the wine shop, Mr. Bancroft.”

Right. Wine. I’d almost forgotten.

I checked my watch, a vintage Patek Philippe that I preferred over the flashy Rolexes my brothers loved. I cursed under my breath. I was already twenty minutes behind schedule, not accounting for the stop I needed to make. Austin had explicitly said to not be late.

But showing up empty-handed to someone’s home was inexcusable, even if that someone was my idiot brother. Especially because it was not just his home. It was Melody’s too. She deserved better than my empty hands and foul mood.