Page 18 of In the Heir (Westerly Billionaire 1)
“You can call her whatever you want. She considers you her grandchild.”
“Tell her she doesn’t have to. Not having her in my life will be a relief.”
He doesn’t mean that. “Your anger is justifiable. No one should hear something like that the way you did.”
Spencer laid his hands flat on his desk. “Why are you here, Brett? Seriously? What the fuck do you want from me?”
“I don’t want anything. I’m here because you’re my brother.”
“Half brother.”
“Same thing.”
“Are you kidding me? I thought I knew who I was. I just found out my father isn’t really my father. The man who raised me was, but apparently Mom didn’t think I needed to know that. No wonder Dad kept you and Eric with him but let me go. I always wondered why I was shipped off with the girls. I’m no longer confused about any of it. I get why he can’t be bothered to call me and why he doesn’t give a shit about my company. I’m not even his.”
“There are things you don’t know about Dad. Things maybe you should.”
“Dad? Spare me. I don’t want to know more about Dereck Westerly. All he ever gave me was his name.”
Brett pinched the top of his nose and told himself Spencer would need some time to process this shock. “I’m here if you need me. I called Eric and told him to come home for a few days. He said he could be here by the weekend. You don’t have to deal with this alone.”
Spencer stood. “There’s nothing to deal with. I appreciate you coming here, but I’m done. My real father is dead. My mother is a liar. No need to get married. Got it. I’m moving on.”
Although he hated to admit it, the last part was a relief to hear. Brett rose to his feet. “You’re calling off the wedding? Does Alisha know?”
“I’m sure she does.” He glared at Brett. “She was only marrying me to fulfill Gran—Delinda’s conditions for inheritance, but I’d already decided I couldn’t go through with that, anyway.” He laughed with self-deprecation. “I went there because I thought about what you said about it not being fair to Alisha to put her through this. I thought if I was honest with Delinda and told her the truth, she might waive the marriage condition. I’m such a fool. No one gives a shit about honesty.”
“Your inheritance is still yours. You can still have that conversation.”
“I don’t want her money.”
Brett cleared his throat. “I’ve never seen Grandmother cry, but she did today. She does love you.”
Spencer studied his brother’s face. “Did she send you? What do you get out of this?”
“Nothing. I’m here because I care.”
With a wave of his hand, Spencer said, “Don’t bother. I’m done with everyone.”
“Even Alisha? She was upset, also.” Brett needed to know where his brother stood with her.
“Alisha is the last thing on my mind. If she’s upset, she’ll get over it.”
“Are you sure? She takes things harder than you think.”
Spencer gave Brett a long look. “What is your fascination with her?”
And this is where I step up to the plate. “Honesty is something our family hasn’t had enough of. You need to know that I have feelings for Alisha. I don’t want to add to what you’re dealing with, but I’m going from here to her unless you tell me that you have feelings for her, too.”
Spencer’s hands fisted at his sides. “You want my fiancée?”
“Fake fiancée. Unless you tell me differently.”
Spencer ran a hand through his hair. “This is so fucked up. You know what, you can have her. I don’t care about her, you, or any of this shit. Do me a favor, though, and stay the hell away from me.”
Brett felt his brother’s pain and didn’t let his words deter him from saying what he’d come to say. “You’re angry. Be angry. I would be. None of this changes the fact that you’re my brother, and I love you. I will always be there when you need me. Always.”
Spencer’s face tightened, and he slammed a fist down on his desk. “Go. Just go.”
Brett started out the door.
Spencer called to him. “Brett.”
Brett turned.
Spencer took a step toward him, then stopped. “Alisha is the nicest person I know. Don’t hurt her.”
At least you recognize that. Brett nodded at his brother as he left. His life had become complicated, and he’d always kept things simple. When it came to his personal life, he’d never been willing to invest much of himself.
My grandfather chose to end his life rather than admit he’d failed.
Dad chose the company over his family, even if he may never see it that way.
Why didn’t Mom tell Spencer that Mark was his father? Because she would have had to admit to cheating on Dad? She’s more of a Westerly than she knows. Westerlys never lose; they admit to no weakness, no matter the cost.
Just as he was exiting the building, Brett saw Rachelle walking toward the entrance. He stepped in front of her on the sidewalk. They’d recently started talking on the phone. He was disappointed she hadn’t called him when this storm hit their family, but what could he expect? He hadn’t been a presence in their lives. With Eric out of the country most of the time and Brett’s investment in work, Rachelle probably felt like she was the eldest child. “Rachelle.”
She looked up, and for a split second the wall that had always been between them held strong, but then her features softened and she smiled at him sadly. “It’s true.”
He didn’t need to ask what she was referring to. “I know.”
“How is he?”
“Understandably angry.”
“I had no idea. Did you?”
“No, but Grandmother thought we knew. She wouldn’t have said anything if she’d known he didn’t.”
Rachelle rolled her eyes. “I’m not so sure about that, but it doesn’t matter now. The damage is done.”
“She loves him. Dad does, too.”
“They suck at showing it.”
“Mom was just as wrong.”
Rachelle tensed and looked about to defend her, then hugged her purse to her stomach. “I don’t understand any of it. When I tried to talk to her, she started crying. She said she’d tried to make the best choice for everyone. But how could she lie to all of us for so long? How was that for the best?”
“I don’t know. I called Eric and told him what’s going on.”
“You did?” She looked sad yet hopeful. “I almost did, but I didn’t want to interrupt his shoot. Is he coming back?”
“He said he would. Some things are more important than work.”
She looked up at him in shock. “Wait. Who are you? You do not sound like my brother Brett.”
He shrugged. “People change.”
She looked him over and nodded knowingly. “You met someone, didn’t you?”
He neither acknowledged nor denied her claim. There would be time to tell her after he figured out what he and Alisha would be to each other.
“You did; I can see it in your eyes.”
Instead of admitting anything, he nodded toward the office building behind him. “Do you want me to go back in with you?”
She took the hint and changed the subject. “Not if you’ve already talked it out. I’m glad you did, though. He needs to know that this doesn’t change anything.”
“That’s not how he sees it, and he may not for a while.”
Rachelle squared her shoulders. “I hope I say the right thing. It doesn’t feel real. What did you say?”
A month ago Brett would have never left work to talk to his siblings. He certainly wouldn’t have had this conversation or known what to say to Spencer. His first responsibility to the family had always been to take care of the company. Everything else came second. Did they need more from him? They don’t know how I’ve always watched over them. Did keeping my influence behind the scenes hurt them as much as it helped? “I told him I love him, and I’ll always be there when he needs m
e.”
Her eyes bright with tears, Rachelle hugged him. “Whoever you’re seeing, don’t you dare break up with her. I like this new you.”
He hugged her back. “Me, too. Call me later.”
“I will.”
Brett cleared his throat. “Have you talked to Alisha?”
“Briefly. She’s the one who told me what happened.”
“How was she?”
Rachelle shrugged. “Apologetic.”
“She did nothing wrong.”
Nodding, Rachelle hugged her purse again. “I know. I did. I suggested she marry Spencer. If I hadn’t done that, she would have never even met Grandmother and none of this would have happened.”
Brett understood guilt. He’d mentally flogged himself many times for staying with his father instead of going with his siblings. Not one good thing had sprung from his regret. He was beginning to see that, as in business, intention didn’t matter as much as action. “Was she upset?”
Cocking her head to one side, Rachelle studied her brother’s face before answering. “Why the sudden interest in my friend?”
Unblinking, Brett held her gaze. He didn’t have to tell her.
“Alisha? But she’s . . .” Her mouth rounded. “Not anymore. Of course she’s not marrying Spencer anymore.” She frowned. “You didn’t tell Spencer, did you?”
“It’s the only thing Spencer was fine with.”
