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Not anymore. I’m getting older and I want more out of life. I’m no longer wet behind the ears, wishing I could be my own man. I’ve become my own man and I want the one woman who has always owned a part of my soul.
Do I think this is going to be easy? Fuck, no. Chloe has a temper, and she has a right to it when it comes to me. I also know I have the right touch to smooth the feathers I plan to ruffle.
“Okay.” I nod toward the closed files on Clay’s desk. “Her, it’s her. Make the contract. I’m in.”
Clayton smiles at me and I swear in this moment he looks just like our father. Anger rises inside me. I can’t believe the old bastard is forcing our hands like this.
“I’ll take care of everything. It’s only an engagement. I’ll make the agreement for six months. I should be able to figure things out before time is up,” he says.
“I think we’ve both lost our minds.” I pull a hand down my face.
“You damn sure have.” Cane snorts and storms from the office.
Clay waves him off. This is typical Cane behavior. Clayton catches my gaze and holds it. My little brother sees too much sometimes. I shut down before he reaches for the secrets I’m not ready to share.
He opens the file with the information on Sidney and everyone close to her, including my Chloe. Picking up the photo of Chloe, he holds it up, facing me.
“I don’t know your story with her, but I know this is the way to get what we want,” he murmurs into his glass of brandy. He takes a sip. “At least this is how to get what I want.”
He drops the photo and picks up the one of Sidney. I knew Clayton had plans to go after Sidney James. I also knew about the money he planned to offer.
At first it was half a million, not his usual quarter of a mill. A million is the most he’s ever offered in one of his arrangements. Which tells me that my brother for once in his life, may not be thinking clearly.
“You really think tossing a million dollars at this woman is going to get you what you want?” I ask, nodding at the picture in his hand.
He drops the photo and leans back in his chair, eyeing me on the other side of his desk. I sit back in my own chair, pondering my little brother. His darker-red hair gives him more of a brooding look, but he’s still as handsome as I am.
I honestly don’t get why he’s going this route. I tilt my head to the side and change my mind. I do know why he’s choosing this course.
My brother is in love with the chase. The chase is what caused him to step out from under Dad. He worked hard to build something more than what Clooney Hennessy Sr. has.
Clayton was willing to chase down every lead, contact, connection, and resource he needed to complete his goal and he excelled at it. He lives for the chase. Being the middle child, Clayton has always sought to control his environment.
Then there’s his secret. The one thing that almost destroyed his youth. It could have ruined his life. My brother has been cautious of the company he keeps since.
It totally makes sense. I haven’t seen him date without a contract in place. Again, bringing me back to the fact that this happens to be the largest compensation I’ve ever seen him offer.
He doesn’t intend to fail. Yes, I get him. This is about more than my father for him. He’s just using his resources.
Clayton lifts a brow at me and shrugs. “I have my reasons, just as you have yours. It’s not the money that will make this work, it’s the circumstances. It will work.”
“But why her? Why do you think it will work with her?” He nods at the folder on his desk.
I saw the curiosity in his eyes when he looked at Chloe’s picture. I always date redheads, I have ever since the first time I lost Chloe. I’ve just never dated a Black redhead outside of her.
Chloe will forever be the goddess of my life. Staring at another who reflects her beauty and all the traits that draw me to her would cripple me.
I hadn’t planned to go about things this way. It was my intention to leave her alone. However, if I’m going to be forced to marry. Chloe is the one. Deal or no deal, she’s it.
A few months back when I saw Chloe in one of the images my brother had been staring at, I started to demand answers. I wasn’t that surprised by what Clayton revealed. However, my interest was piqued by the mention of the love of my life’s best friend being the source of his obsession.
“It won’t, but I owe her so much. As you said, the circumstances will bring her to me. If you’re right about Sidney’s pending problem and your involvement, this will line things up.
“In addition, Dad has our backs against the wall in the midst of all of this, but I will have to put in a lot of work to get her to stay,” I huff.
Clayton studies me. “Who is she to you?”
“We both know you already know the answer to that,” I grumble underneath my breath.
When I don’t respond further to appease his curiosity, Clayton releases a low whistle. His eyes light with recognition. “Are you sure you want to do this with her? Is this—”
“You know nothing about it, Clay. Just have the damn contract drawn. If we’re going to beat the old man at his game, let’s do that. My patience has run out. It’s time. If we’re going to do this, let’s do it,” I snap and stand to leave the room.
