It took over an hour for Charlie to calm down, and in that time, Oliver refused to leave. When we finally did, I spent the entire drive home clarifying to Oliver that everything was okay and that Uncle Jax wasn’t mean or hurting anyone. Which was true—he was just horny—but there was no way to explain that to a three-and-a-half-year-old.

“I’ve apologized to Katherine over and over again. I sent flowers like Mom suggested, and even had the florist throw in a box of chocolates and a little basket of soaps and crap. Not to mention I haven’t gone anywhere near Lisa, so how long do I have to wait this out, huh?”

“I don’t know and don’t really care. Right now, we’re here to talk about what you plan to do after graduation.”

He threw his leg over his knee, getting comfortable. “You already know that answer. I just need a job to make some money. Something easy.”

I held his gaze, considering his words. I did know what his dream was, and it had nothing to do with an office building or a suit. And as much as I wanted to hand him a check to make it happen, I knew it wasn’t the right way.

“No. If you work for me, it won’t be easy. You’ll start from the bottom and earn your place.”

“You sound like Dad,” he ground out.

I ignored his statement and the stab that accompanied it. “My architect Joe needs a new assistant. I think it will be a good start for you.” I pushed back in my chair enough to open my top drawer, grabbing his business card.

“Joe? The big burly guy?”

I nodded, extending my arm across the desk to hold out the card. “Yeah, he’s expecting your call. He’s an ass, but he gets the job done and needs someone to keep his shit together.”

“An assistant—as in fetch coffee and schedule meetings?” His brow puckered and nose turned up.

“He has a secretary for his schedule. You just need to fetch the coffee and do whatever else he needs so he can focus on the job.”

“No fucking way.” He laughed as though I was joking. When he realized I wasn’t, his grin melted away. “Screw you!” He snatched the card from my hand, ripped it in two, then stood.

I inhaled through my nose, eyes holding Jax in his place. “Excuse me?” I grated through my clenched jaw.

“You heard me! I’m not a dog.”

“I’m aware. You’re a West, which means you need to stop playing little-kid games and prove to this family that you have the drive it takes to someday run a business—no matter what type it is.”

“I wanted to work for you, but if you’re going to pawn me off on some nobody, then I’ll take my chances with Dad. And like you said, Lawrence will come around eventually, and when he does, I know he’ll find me a better job than as someone’s bitch.” He turned on his heel and stormed to the door.$

“Jackson!” I called out. He stopped in his tracks, but didn’t bother to look back. “I expect that suit dry cleaned and returned to my closet by Monday morning.”

He said nothing, his anger evident in the clenched fists at his sides as he exited the room, slamming the door behind him. I sat back in my chair, wondering when I’d become my father. My goal was to give Jax a reality check. He needed to know that he couldn’t just stroll in and expect people to respect him because of his name. He needed to work for it, just as Lawrence and I had. That work was the reason we were able to step out from our father’s shadow early in business. We worked hard to make the right connections and earn the respect of the right people. Because of that, we were able to join forces and open our own company where we oversaw multiple ventures in different areas executed.

Like Julia, Jax only needed time to realize that without a job, he’d have nothing. I only wanted to help ensure they were on track for success. It wasn’t just for them, though. I wanted Oliver to be surrounded by a strong working family—role models worth looking up to.

I took one more peek at my calendar to confirm Jax was my last meeting of the day. Since it was still early, I knew there was enough time to make one stop before picking up Oliver.

Chapter 3

Brethren

“Bourbon, neat,” I requested, sliding off my coat and grabbing a stool at Morgan’s Bar. Only a block from the office, the place was my regular haunt. When I looked up after placing my coat down beside me, I found Caleb standing there, manning the bar.

“Coming right up,” he called back, tossing a dish towel over his shoulder.

From the corner of my eye, I did a peripheral sweep down the bar and focused on the redhead perched at the end, sipping from her almost-drained cocktail and directing a smile my way. She was a new face, and a pretty one.

“Since when do you escape the office before five?” Caleb asked, pouring my drink and pushing it toward me.

“Since I scheduled my brother as my last meeting.” I lifted the glass and took a swig, savoring the charge it gave my system while not missing the redhead maneuvering on her stool, crossing her legs in my direction.

“I’m guessing we’re talking about Jax.” He snickered. “Little brothers can be a pain, but yours, he’s something else: crazy, bullheaded, but talented as hell. Cut him some slack. He’s only a kid.”

“Talent will only get him so far. If he wants to open his own place someday, then he needs to learn how to run it.”

“And when he does?”

“Then he’ll have my support,” I replied easily.

Caleb nodded, then moved down for another customer who’d slammed his empty glass down on the bar, signaling for a refill.

I used the brief reprieve to scan subtly for any other prospects hanging around. When he returned, I shot my gaze straight toward the redhead, my head not swaying an inch. She was the top pick. He caught my drift without further explanation.

“So how’s everything else going?” Caleb asked causally as he turned his back to me, mixing up a fruity concoction.

“Nothing remarkable to note.”

He popped in a little umbrella—girls always seemed to like those in their drinks—and walked it to her. Deliberately slowly, I cocked my head her way, watching as she lifted the glass up to thank me before taking a sip. I gave her the slightest hint of a smile. It was all she needed.

“So how’s the rest of the family? Any other sibling crap going on?”

Caleb was in front of me again, overly relaxed. My gaze shot to him. Since when did he ask about anyone other than Oliver?

As realization set in, I lowered my head, chuckling. “She came to you?”

“Yeah, and I was just as surprised to see her on my doorstep.”

My laugh cut off, eyes widening. Julia went to Caleb’s apartment. My jaw ticked. I was surprised my sister would go to him, since they’d rarely crossed paths after I crashed their first—and last—date a couple years earlier.

After a loud public scene and a punch thrown, I’d cut him some slack since he wasn’t aware at the time that the girl he was seducing was jailbait who’d sneaked out her bedroom window on a school night. But he was smart enough to apologize, and we became fast friends.

“Save the look.” His expression was insulted. “You know I’d never touch her. I have no interest there besides looking out for her as your little sister.”