A Brother's Honor (Grangers) - By Brenda Jackson Page 0,37
be fine. Let me get settled in for today, and we can meet in my office.” He checked his watch and then glanced back at her. “Let’s say, in around a half hour?”
“That will be perfect. And your brothers. I’d like to meet with them afterward.”
“That can be arranged, as well. I’ll let you get back to your work.” He turned to leave, and she watched the well-muscled body move toward the door. He opened it, and without looking back at her, he walked out and closed it behind him.
* * *
Jace stood at the window in his office. Although he had agreed to Shana’s request, he knew mere words couldn’t block out the attraction he felt toward her. But it would be a start, because he did agree with her that it was an attraction that would not go anywhere. They had bigger, more important things to deal with than physical attraction.
He turned when he heard the buzzer on his desk and walked over to press it. “Yes, Melissa?”
“Your brothers are here to see you.”
He smiled to himself as he spoke. “Send them in.” Before leaving that morning, he had told them to be at the office at eight. It was close to nine, but at least that was a start. Neither of his brothers was used to keeping banker’s hours. And Dalton wasn’t used to keeping any hours at all.
The door swung open and Caden walked in smiling, but Dalton had a fierce frown on his face. “How are things going?” Jace ventured to ask.
“Fine.”
“Lousy.”
Both answers came simultaneously. Jace sat down after seeing his brothers head toward separate corners of the room. Caden stood to glance out the window to enjoy the view, and Dalton dropped down in a chair. Jace resigned himself that it would be one of those days and figured it best to start with Caden since he was smiling. “So, what’s going on with you?”
Caden’s smile widened. “I got a call from my manager. Cameron will use a few of the pieces off my last album as part of the music score for the movie he’s filming now.”
Jace’s lips curved into a smile. “That’s great news. Congratulations.” He had seen James Cameron and Caden speaking briefly at his grandfather’s memorial service. Afterward, Caden had mentioned that Cameron might be interested in using some of his music for a film soundtrack. Cameron and Richard had become friends over twenty years ago when Richard had been one of the investors for Cameron’s earlier films.
He then turned to Dalton and shot him a curious look. His brother’s frown had worsened. “And what’s up with you?”
“Not a damn thing.”
Jace glanced over at Caden, who merely shrugged with that I don’t know and really don’t care look. He decided to follow Caden’s lead and take that same approach. Dalton would unload when he was good and ready.
“I’m glad the two of you made it in at a reasonable hour. There’s an important meeting I’d like you to attend in ten minutes. Shana wants to meet with everyone.”
Dalton raised a brow. “Shana?”
“Yes, Shana Bradford of Bradford Crisis Management.”
Dalton rolled his eyes. “I know who she is, Jace, I just wasn’t aware the two of you were on a first-name basis.”
Jace leaned back in his chair and gazed at his brother intently. “She’ll be working closely with us for the next month or so. Any reason I shouldn’t?”
“No, I guess not.”
Dalton’s disdainful expression was unnerving, but Jace was determined not to let his brother’s foul disposition bother him this morning. Jace was about to brief them on his meeting with Freeman yesterday when his administrative assistant buzzed. “Yes, Melissa?”
“Ms. Bradford is here for your meeting.”
Jace stood. “Send her in.”
Dalton murmured as he and Caden stood, as well, “Can’t wait to meet the wonder-woman.”
Jace shot his brother a warning glance before the door opened. Afterward, his gaze became fixated on Shana, but he heard Dalton’s low whistle before he said, “Be still my heart.”
* * *
A nervous little shiver ran down Shana’s spine, and she forced it away. It was bad enough to have to confront one incredibly handsome man, but now she had to somehow deal with two more. It was easy to see that Caden and Dalton were Jace’s brothers. With the three of them in a room together, the similarities were striking. Although she was sure there were aspects of their personalities that set them apart, all three were ruggedly handsome and powerfully built.