Page 99 of Twisted Knight

“Knight,” my brother says in a cursory greeting as Holden stops at the table and glances at the array of maps before looking back at him.

“Why’re you stressed, Rhett? I thought I was here to take care of everything for you,” Holden says, yet I hear a mocking undertone and wonder if Rhett does too.

“Land? Property? What’s this all about? We didn’t discuss anything about this.”

“We don’t have to discuss anything when it comes to what I’m doing. Only when it pertains to what you’re doing.” His flash of a smile is anything but warm.

There is a visual game of chicken that makes no sense to me as tension fills the room. Both are standing with their hands on the chair in front of them, both staring at each other across the table.

My brother blinks first.

“Isn’t Rowan’s time better spent doing things for TinSpirits than for you personally? I mean, if we’re looking to turn things around and all, then maybe we should focus on the business and not your personal affairs.”

“Exactly my thoughts. Just like your time is better spent here on-site and in the office than out playing eighteen holes with Chad. There can’t be much you have to talk about that can’t be discussed here.” He knocks his knuckles on the table to emphasize his point. “And I’m pretty sure your sister can speak up for herself. You’ve never done so before, so why start now?”

I worry my bottom lip between my teeth, not exactly thrilled to be talked about like I’m not in the room.

“Just being a good big brother.”

The last thing I need is these two fighting over me. “You guys—”

“You didn’t answer my question though,” Holden says. “You seem a little pale. Panicked. Not sure why a bunch of maps would do that to you. Or is it the numbers that just came in? I was a little surprised to see our margin had fallen again for last month. I think you really need to get Greatland and their pricing under control. Ironic considering they’ve been a recent topic of discussion.”

“No, I didn’t see the numbers,” my brother says quietly.

“Hmpf. Seems Chad’s holding out on you, then, and coming straight to me. Good to hear.” A muscle ticks in Holden’s jaw, his expression impassive. “But I can’t have the CEO not in the loop. That doesn’t fly with me. Guess that’s another reason why you should be here and not out on the links. Right?” he asks.

“Chad sent them to me. I just haven’t had time to go over them,” Rhett says, and he’s so full of shit. I know my brother and he’s silently freaking out.

“Right. Yes.” Holden knows he’s lying too. “Well, since you and Porter seem to be buddy-buddy, I’ll leave it up to you to address with him why costs rose and the product stayed the same. Doesn’t compute, but I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of it. And if you don’t…” He flashes a shark’s smile. “Well, that would be a problem.”

Rhett forces a swallow down his throat as he fidgets with the top of the chair. “Sure. Not a problem.”

“Great. I’ll want answers on that in a comprehensive breakdown by Friday.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Don’t sound so enthused, Rhett.” Holden chuckles. “This is the drawback to doing business with friends. It’s hard not to pull punches when you have to see the bruises they leave on your off days at the country club.”

Rhett’s glare in response doesn’t seem to faze Holden and so he continues telling my brother about what he expects in his breakdown of Greatland.

I look back and forth between the two, only to find myself staring at Holden’s hands. Or rather, his forearms and his hands. The cuffs of his dress shirt are folded up to just below his elbows and the ceiling lights glint off the silver of his watch, but it’s the corded muscles in his forearms and his large, capable hands that capture my attention.

Flashbacks hit me from the other night. Him standing between my thighs, his hand on his cock, and his forearms and biceps bulging as he stroked himself.

“Rowan?”

My name breaks through my thoughts and I find Holden looking at me with eyebrows raised and the slightest knowing smirk on his lips.

He knows exactly what I’m thinking about.

Shit.

“I’m sorry, what?” I give the slightest shake of my head and lie. “I was distracted by an email that just popped up on my computer. I apologize. Where were we?”

Holden’s gaze holds mine and there’s amusement in his eyes. “I asked if I should assume Audrey gave you the rundown of what I’m looking for?”

I nod. “Yes. I’m compiling the spreadsheets.”