Page 155 of Twisted Knight

Either Rhett’s telling the truth, or he’s pissed off about something.

And neither is a good thing.

The question is, what’s he so upset about?

I hate that the questions still linger long after the last text. So much so that when there’s a soft knock on my door, I groan inwardly when I see it’s Rhett.

The look I give him says I’m anything but thrilled he’s standing there.

“Hey,” he says softly and moves to take a seat opposite me. “C’mon, Row. Don’t ignore me.”

With an exaggerated sigh, I drop my pen and lean back in my chair to meet his eyes. “I have every right to kick you out of my office after the way you’ve treated me. And I’m not just talking about earlier. I’m talking about the whole fucking situation going on here.”

“You’re right. You do.”

I do a double take. Those were not the words I expected. I stare at my brother and see a glimmer of the boy I used to know and look up to.

“Go on,” I say, refusing to give him an inch.

“I apologize—”

“Holy shit.” I make a show of looking out my window. “Is hell freezing over?”

“C’mon. Don’t be an ass.”

I snort. “I’m pretty sure that’s your forte.”

His sigh is one of frustration. “Look. I apologize. I’ve been under a lot of stress lately. A lot of things are happening all at once. Coming to fruition all at the same time and—”

“Like what?”

He grimaces. “I can’t, Row. There’s an NDA and the repercussions if I break it, if any of the board members breach it, are … they’re fucking terrifying.” He runs a hand through his hair. “If you thought we had a good legal department, it’s got nothing on Holden’s.”

I nod. Still not completely comfortable with this conversation and what he’s implying. That there are a million more secrets out there that I don’t know about.

Games upon games upon games.

“Truth be told, the only person I can count on right now is Chad. It’s been … fuck, it’s been brutal.”

“Uh-huh,” I say. “Don’t expect me to feel sorry for you.”

“I don’t, it’s just, I think we all need to stick together.” He sounds defeated and the emotion confuses me. He’s getting what he wants. A cash buyout. Responsibility off his back while he gets to retain his cushy title.

“Why do you say that?” I ask.

“No reason in particular. I think Holden’s a great businessman but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to have each other’s backs.”

“Maybe you should have thought of that before you blindsided me, fired my whole team.”

“Blood is thicker than water, Rowan.”

“I’m not falling for that bullshit, Rhett. It’s admirable but I’m not falling for it.” I shrug. “It’s perfectly fine to get cold feet and back out of the deal. You’d have more than just my support on that if you did.”

“Like whose?” He narrows his eyes.

“It’s not my place to say, but just know you would,” I bluff.

He stands abruptly, his eyes never leaving mine. “You don’t have to accept my apology, but just know I mean it. Truly, I do.”