Page 5 of Forbidden Fruit
By ten in the morning, we’ve identified key action items: testing new materials for flood resilience, revising timelines for construction in high-risk areas, and launching a public engagement campaign to gather input from the local community. The team leaves energized, with a clear strategy in place.
“Sir, you have a video conference with Mr. Sinclair at eleven,” Nadia says as she rushes to meet my long strides as we make our way back to my office.
“Right. Which Sinclair am I meeting with again?” I ask, pulling out my phone and scrolling through my messages. I notice a few from a group chat I’ve been doing everything not to be a part of.
“Marcus Sinclair. Rowan Sinclair retired,” Nadia explains.
I nod, recalling the one time I met Marcus Sinclair back when he was CFO of his family’s company. He came across as intensely business-driven, so it’s no surprise he stepped into the CEO role. I also know he’s close friends with my brother, who’s spoken highly of him on more than one occasion.
“Thank you, Nadia. I’ll be ready to make the call at eleven. Can you make sure a bouquet gets sent to my mother?”
“Already taken care of, sir,” she replies, scanning her iPad.
“What kind did you choose?”
“Pink carnations.”
I smile. “A mother’s undying love, nice touch. She’s going to love it. Thank you.”
“My pleasure, sir.”
I pause outside my office and glance at her. “What would I do without you?”
She smirks. “Let’s hope you never have to find out. Is there anything else you need, sir?”
I get another notification from my phone, and I know it’s that stupid group text.
“I’ll let you know,” I say as I enter my office. I scroll through my messages as I sit at my desk.
THE LEAGUE
Kingsley
Back in town, poker?
Kingsley Ashford, heir to a legacy of business empires in Canada and the USA, and great-grandson of the founder of the prestigious Ashford University, crossed my path through business. At just twenty-three, he’s poised to become the CEO of Ecotech Innovations, his family’s multi-billion-dollar company, where he currently serves as COO. Despite his youth, Kingsley exudes a maturity beyond his years, already proving himself a formidable force in the business world and earning respect and admiration from everyone he encounters.
Des
In Costa Rica for the time being, but I’ll let you know.
Desmond is my brother, my Irish twin, as our mom likes to remind us, since we’re only eleven months apart. He’s a respected chef who owns three successful restaurants across the U.S. and is currently working on opening a fourth.
Kingsley
Cal, how the fuck did you get engaged and not tell me?
Des
Don’t even ask him.
Justin
Hold up. Engaged? As in wedding ring engaged? Or one of those “spiritually aligned” influencer things?
Justin Williams is Kingsley’s oldest friend. Raised together in Quebec, the two of them might as well be brothers. His family owns one of the largest media conglomerates in the province—newspapers, television networks, and radio stations dedicated to preserving Quebec’s French heritage—but Justin never cared for that world. He recently opened his own sports agency in Boston, representing up-and-coming athletes across North America. He owns a gym, but that’s more of a passion project, a place for us to train, blow off steam, and spar when life gets too serious.
Des
