Rena Sander paced the carpeted floor in front of her desk. Nick Andrade knew exactly how to get her blood boiling. Yes, she found him attractive, but a woman would have to be dead not to. The Andrade men had all been blessed with good looks. Each had eyes as dark as coal and strong features that would have done any Roman statue proud. Well over six feet with a naturally muscular build, and consistently dressed in casual but expensive international designer clothing, Nick always looked like he’d just finished a cover shoot for GQ.
He used his good looks to get what he wanted, and today that had meant getting around her. How far would he have gone to achieve his goal? And would his ploy have worked? Rena was glad she’d never know. Whatever feelings she’d once had for him were in the past. As she’d grown up, they’d fallen by the wayside, as all teenage crushes should.
Now was not the time to start asking what-ifs.
Plus, dating Nick was probably the only way she could lose her job at Cogent, and she didn’t want to. It wasn’t a perfect job. Gio had a reputation for being demanding, impatient, and often blunt when a softer touch was warranted, but Rena wasn’t bothered by his moods. He’d even fired her a few times since she’d started there. She hadn’t taken him seriously, and he’d always called back to apologize and rehire her.
Job security was a perk of being his best friend’s little sister, but she worked hard to make sure she deserved to be there. No one worked longer hours or was more dedicated to the company than she was, and she was proud of how she could keep the office functioning seamlessly during Gio’s many business trips.
Kane teased her that she only wanted to work there because it kept her in the middle of any and all Andrade drama. Rena would have denied it, but she didn’t like to lie. Gio and his brothers needed her. When someone needs you, you help them—whether or not they ask you to.
It’s practically our family motto.
Permission to assist appreciated, but not necessary.
Over the eighteen or so years she’d known them, she’d watched the four Andrade brothers grow from sad boys into angry men. They each hid their scars in different ways, but they didn’t fool Rena. Yes, they had lived a privileged life that, on the surface, appeared ideal, but Rena knew the truth of how they’d been raised. Between their workaholic father and their viciously insecure and spiteful mother, they’d been deprived of what Rena considered any semblance of a healthy home. They craved love and understanding like half-wilted flowers crave water.
Gio: the angry family patriarch. His word was law and his temper was short. Until he met his fiancée, Julia, he’d hidden himself away in his work. The change in him had been heartwarming. More than ever before, it made Rena wish the same happiness for the others.
Nick: the unredeemable and notorious playboy. Young, rich, and gorgeous. He was photographed more than many movie stars were, and could be counted on to consistently provide front-page-worthy scandalous photos. His dating practices were legendary—heiresses to porn stars—and if half of what the papers claimed he’d done were true, he’d have a lot of explaining to do if he ever made it to the gates of Heaven.
Luke: the rich surgeon and the glue of the Andrade family. He called his brothers daily and smoothed over whatever was brewing. He reminded her of her brother, Kane.
And Max: the youngest, who had branched off to make his own fortune in the hotel and casino business. He was the most private of the four boys and the one Rena knew the least. In general, he kept himself outside of all family drama.
Rena reached for the phone and called the brother she’d been told not to. “Luke?”
“Rena,” Luke answered warmly. “I’m about to go into surgery. Can we talk later?”
“Nick is here,” Rena said in a rush.
“That’s good. I’ve talked to him about getting more involved at Cogent. I’m glad he’s doing it.”
Rena began pacing again with the headset in her hand. “I don’t believe his visit is business related. Nick said he had something he needed to say to Gio and he didn’t look happy about it.”
“Shit.” Luke sighed. “I can’t come now. Do you have any idea what it’s about?”
“I was hoping you did.”
“Nick has been spending time with our mother since she had that episode.”
“You mean her heart attack?”
“I haven’t seen her health records, so I can’t say for sure. It might have been a severe panic attack.”
“You think she lied?”
Luke sighed again. “No. She wouldn’t go that far, but she could exaggerate the situation. She hasn’t been the same since we attended Stephan’s wedding without her. I don’t know what she has against Victor and Alessandro, but she can’t handle the idea of any of us spending time with either of them. I’ve tried to talk to her about it, but she won’t discuss it.”
“So you think she said something to Nick?”
“I don’t know. She’s upset that Gio isn’t speaking to her right now. Maybe it’s about that.”
“They had an argument right after the wedding, didn’t they?”
“That’s what I hear. Gio was furious with her for trying to pay off Julia.”
“I still don’t understand why she would do that. Julia makes Gio happy. Who wouldn’t want her son to find love?”
“She would tell you she does whatever is necessary to protect us. For some reason that included keeping Julia and Gio apart.”
“I don’t think Patrice likes you and your brothers getting along the way you have since Stephan’s wedding. I wouldn’t put it past her to have faked an episode just to draw attention back to herself.”
“Hey,” Luke reprimanded.
“Sorry, I know she’s your mother. I just don’t understand her. She has four amazing sons and more money than she could spend in ten lifetimes. Why isn’t she happy?”
“I wish I knew,” Luke said sadly. “She’s heading to a dark place. I hope she doesn’t take Nick with her.”
Rena stopped and chewed her lip. “I could talk to him.”
“Listen, I know you care. I wouldn’t tell you this if I didn’t consider you one of us, but don’t get involved this time. I have a feeling this is going to get really ugly before it gets better. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Rena laughed even though she found little humor in the situation. “You’re the second Andrade to say that to me today. Nick said almost those exact words a few minutes ago. You should have seen his face when he said it. Something really upset him today. I wish I knew what it was.”
“Don’t do it, Rena.”
“What?”
“Don’t try to help Nick. He’s right. You’ll only get hurt.”
“I wish the four of you could always be as happy as you looked right after you came back from the island wedding.”
With a sigh, Luke said, “I have to go. Rena, promise me you’ll let them sort this out themselves. I have some time late this afternoon. I’ll come by to smooth over whatever blowup they have this morning. Stay out of it.”
“I will.”
“You’re not a good liar, Rena.”
Rena hung up the phone and squared her shoulders. Maybe not, but if Nick and Gio wanted me to stay out of this, they would have had their spat away from the office.
Rena placed her hand on the door to Gio’s office and took a deep breath.
I will not stand back and do nothing while they tear each other apart.
Sorry, Patrice. Whatever you’re up to is not going to work. Not this time.
Not on my watch.
Chapter Two