The Mistresses Collection. Оливия Гейтс

nodded a greeting to the receptionist on her way to Kate’s office, she knew precisely what she needed to do. She’d never felt more determined, anxious—right in her life. Today was the beginning of all her best tomorrows.

      “I know I said I’d get Dirkins to sign,” Zack said. “I haven’t given up yet.”

      Thomas sat on the right-hand side of the mile-long conference table, elbows on chair arms and fingers steepled as he watched his older brother pace the length of the Harrison Plaza District office suite. Zack knew he must look like a caged jungle cat because that’s precisely how he felt. Since he’d arrived back from Colorado two days ago, he hadn’t been able to settle into anything, including coming any nearer to closing that Denver deal.

      He’d thought about Trinity’s suggestion, putting forward an offer of a partnership of co-ownership to Dirkins. Although a big part of Zack wanted to help the older man out if he could, that simply wasn’t the way he did business. Equal equity meant disputes down the track. Any weakening of the Harrison foundation—even in a small way—was anathema to his motto.

      Stay calm, stay focused and succeed.

      With his father floating in and out of the office and his brothers happy with nine-to-five, someone had to man the bow.

      “Maybe we should let the deal slide,” Thomas said. “Since Mom and Dad had their split, he’s not nearly as hell-bent on soaring through this economic downturn. Not that their break is permanent,” he added.

      Really? Who said it wasn’t?

      “Our family’s not invincible, Thomas. We all just like to pretend that it is.”

      The steepled fingers lowered. “Where’s this coming from? You’ve been a royal pain in the butt since getting back from Colorado. You did nothing but frown and growl at Nicki’s school play last night. What the hell happened out there?”

      “Nothing of consequence.”

      “Every time I ask about those female guests you had holed up in your cabin, you fob me off. Now I’m telling you, I want to know.” Thomas swore. “Is someone blackmailing you?”

      Zack moved to the wall-to-wall windows. “Don’t be melodramatic.”

      “From what you told me, that actress you were seeing wanted to test those waters.”

      “And I told her where to get off. If she wants to spread rumors about cracks in the Harrison family camp, she can try her hardest. No one rattles me. Nothing gets under my skin.”

      “I’d always thought so, but clearly something or someone is screwing with your cool and composed gauge big-time.”

      Thomas crossed to where Zack was staring out over a panoramic view of Midtown that normally never failed to inspire. Colorado was relaxing but this was where he thrived. Where the real opportunities lived.

      “We’re more than brothers. We’re friends. Talk to me.” Thomas set a hand on Zack’s shoulder. “Let me help.”

      Zack tried to ignore the empty feeling funneling through his middle. He muttered, “You’d never believe it.”

      “Try me.”

      After another moment of indecision, Zack moved over to a chair and spent the next fifteen minutes divulging the top points of his most recent stay in Colorado. Thomas looked surprised when he described how he’d found the baby. He’d looked stunned when he’d said he’d offered to bring her home until the authorities could take over. He talked about Cruiser and what an intelligent, responsible, big dog he was.

      Mostly he talked about Trinity. He even admitted how close they’d grown. He recalled how Trinity had described the feeling when she’d put down Bonnie—Bel—after caring for her nonstop. Now it was like some part of him was missing.

      “I’ve never felt so edgy in my life.” Zack threw up his hands and got to his feet. “Obviously the isolation played tricks on my mind. I identified with my captor. What’s that called?” He snapped his fingers. “Stockholm Syndrome.”

      Thomas looked amused. “It was your home. I imagine your rules.”

      Zack held his brow then wiped the damp away. “I must be sick.”

      “Absolutely. Heartsick. Zack, buddy, sounds like you’re in love.”

      Zack stared hard at the younger man then coughed out a raucous laugh. His brothers were always on him about finding Miss Right. They never let up.

      “Trin and I were together two days.” He held up as many fingers to accentuate the point.

      “Sometimes that’s all it takes. I knew I wanted to marry Willa after our first date. Dylan knew Rhian only a week.”

      “I’m different. I’ve always been different.”

      Thomas sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers again, and Zack remembered his little brother had once wanted to be a psychologist. He might be a touch off course, but he sure didn’t need to suffer a bad imitation of Freud.

      Thomas asked, “What are you so afraid of?”

      Zack set his hands low on his hips. “For one, falling in love is not in my plans.”

      “Those plans being…?”

      “To take over Harrison Hotels. Dad’s practically set to retire.”

      “And the rest of us lost our brains the moment we said ‘I do’ and had kids.”

      Zack arched a brow. “Let’s be honest. You all have different priorities.”

      “Our families. Damn right. Doesn’t mean we can’t run a business.”

      “If Dad had spent more time with Mom, they wouldn’t be going through this separation now. He should have slowed down five, ten years ago when the cracks started to show.”

      “Zack, that’s not your place.”

      That pulled him up. He remembered saying the same words to Trinity when she wanted to get involved more with the baby after she’d gone. He’d tried to make her see reason but the truth was she’d been closer to the real heart of that situation than he’d been, like he felt closer to his parents’ problems than his younger brother, or any of the others, for that matter.

      Thomas was still talking. “And I’m here to tell you that a man can have both—a family of his own as well as a fulfilling professional life.”

      “Not without sacrifices.”

      “Life is all about sacrifices. Or it should be. Believe me, that’s when we really start to reap the rewards.”

      “Like endless 3:00 a.m. feedings?”

      “Sounds as if you can handle it.”

      “How about apologizing over and over for getting home late from meetings?”

      “If you’re smart, and devoted, you can organize your time. What are you trying to prove? You don’t have to sell your soul and make a billion or three to be happy.”

      No one seemed to get it! “It’s how I see myself. Calm. Focused. Eye forever on the horizon.”

      “One could conjecture they’re fine qualities for a husband and father.”

      Zack didn’t know about that. But, after this conversation, one thing was clear. He wouldn’t be able to rest—to think straight—until he saw Trinity again. If she was going through anything like the torture he’d known these past days, she’d need to lay her own cards on the table and see him, too.

      And he happened to have the perfect night in mind.

       Eleven