Page 23 of Reckless Devotion

My brother Mason is one of the most successful men in this city. Strike that, on the continent. CEO of one of the world’s largest banks and a titan in the real estate industry and god knows what else on the side. I mean seriously, talk about overachiever. But in my opinion, he’s a tight-ass. The only softness in him is for his wife and kids, so you can imagine how he was before he met her. Think my work persona, but times a thousand—all the time.

I set aside the tug of something unpleasant that always surfaces when Mason crosses my mind. Tight-ass git he might be, but he’s still my brother and the rift between us has always bothered me. I can’t read him. Ever. I don’t understand why he’s always given me the cold shoulder, but I’ve accepted it over the years. I’ve leaned into it, even. The only reaction I can get from him is to piss him off and that’s better than cool indifference, somehow.

“Yeah, and he’s trying to put another baby in me already.” She scoffs, laughing.

I snort out a laugh, pressing my forefinger and thumb into my eyes. “Well, if you don’t want that then close your legs, woman!”

“I know,” she whines, dropping her feet from the chair. “But it’s just so hot when he’s all, ‘I want to give you my baby juice.’”

Good god, I hope she’s paraphrasing. Even so, that is still way too much information.

“This is starting to feel like more of a Chloe or Teddy conversation.” I groan, which makes her giggle.

“Teddy maybe, but Chloe and Zeke are already trying for another, so she would probably just cheer me on.”

It seems like every one of my friends is really doing their bit to overpopulate earth. “God, I can’t keep up with you lot. Have you ever heard of contraception, or pulling out?”

“What is pulling out?”

Mia and I both freeze, because Macey has chosen the exact wrong moment to start paying attention. Innocent, sky-blue eyes blink up at me expectantly. I glance Mia’s way for support, but she’s suddenly engrossed in her coffee, eyes wide and shoulders shaking with restrained laughter. The message is clear: “You’re on your own, buddy.”

“It’s like when someone is about to shoot you with a water pistol, but they aim it away at the last minute so you don’t get wet.”

Small brows almost touch as she chews her bottom lip. “But that’s not fun,” she finally replies.

“You’re telling me, kid.”

Mia loses her battle and hoots, the sound bouncing around the walls. I smile at the light that reappears in her eyes. Macey joins in too, even though she doesn’t understand why we find that so funny.

“When did this happen?” I point at her missing tooth and small fingers leap up to touch the gap as if she forgot. “Did the dentist take it?” I make a big show of acting scandalized, which makes her giggle.

“No, silly. The toof fairy took it.”

“Hmm, thetooth fairygave her a hundred-dollar bill,” Mia adds, shaking her head.

“I beg your finest pardon?” I blink at her, brows shooting heavenward.

“He said he didn’t have any change.” She rolls her eyes, her lips tipping up.

Mia grew up in a normal family, so she struggles sometimes to get her head around the financial extravagance that comes with being one of us now. I might not know what a loaf of bread costs, but even I think this is ridiculous.

“I’m in the wrong business.” I flick Macey’s nose softly and she beams.

“Mr. Walker, Miss Quinn is here. Shall I send her in?” Tessa’s voice crackles and dips a little, because she never keeps her finger fully on the button on her side, even though I’ve explained it to her a thousand times.

Reaching over, I press my button down twice, which she knows means yes. Anticipation licks at my senses for some reason I can’t quite fathom.

“We’ll get out of your way.” Mia leaps into action, leaving her mug on my desk as she heads for the two terrors babbling away on the floor.

“Time’s up, kid,” I say to Macey, who squirms around to face me as the sound of the door being opened reaches me.

Chapter 10

Pepper:Tell me again why I shouldn’t quit my job.

Jack:Because you’re too prim and proper to make a living as a street walker.

Pepper:Good point.