ryanne
“I can’t believeyou went home with him,” my overprotective roommate hisses loud enough to hurt my eardrums. I wince, holding the phone away from my ear.
“I’ll tell you all about it later.” I’m tired of trying to explain myself to her.
“Why don’t you bring him by for me to meet him?” Before hanging up, I promise Lynette I’ll try to bring him by the apartment this evening.
My busy workload keeps my mind occupied most of the morning. A little before lunchtime, Derek sticks his head in my door. “I’m so sorry to do this, but I have to run over to the main WesCo location. We have issues.”
“Do you need my help?” I automatically ask.
“I’d really appreciate you coming with me.” He smiles. “We had a new customer fall in the lobby and make a huge scene.” Derek shakes his head. “Ethan needs my help figuring out how we’re going to handle the situation. Come on, I’ll fill you in on what I know on the way.”
I grab my purse and follow him out the door. During the twenty-minute ride, he explains what’s going on. A man and woman who joined the gym two days ago came in today for their introductory session. After the personal trainer showed them how to use the machines, the woman walked across the lobby and tripped over the edge of a rubber mat. She screamed out in pain until the front desk clerk called for an ambulance. Once the paramedics left with the patient, Ethan watched the security video and clearly saw the woman fake her fall. It’s a mess, and the two brothers are trying to figure out how to handle the delicate situation. If they accuse the customer of faking her fall, it could backfire and cause a public relations nightmare.
“It might be cheaper and less headache to pay her medical bills and a small payout,” I tell him. “It’s nuts but, unfortunately, scammers can make your life hell if they find a receptive audience.” My college professor harped on the fine line between losing a tiny battle and sinking your entire navy. Sometimes it’s better to take a small loss than to win the argument at the expense of your business reputation.
We head straight upstairs to the management offices when we arrive at WesCo. Ethan rushes down the hall to meet us.
“Hey.” He slaps Derek on the back. “Let’s go into my office and talk.” We enter a large room that has windows overlooking most of the fitness center on three sides. “Hi.” He holds out his hand. “I’m Ethan Wescott.”
I take his hand and hear Derek grumble under his breath, “I’m going to break your hand.”
“Calm down, caveman.” Ethan glances over my shoulder and smirks at his twin. “I’m just introducing myself, not throwing her down on the ground and attacking her.”
“You don’t need to touch her. And make sure to keep your dirty thoughts to yourself,” Derek roars.
“Come on, man. You know my wife is the only woman I think about.” Ethan shakes his head.
“I can’t help it. The thought of another man touching her makes me want to put my fist through a wall.”
“Fucking hell,” Ethan mumbles under his breath. “I hope you get this territorial bullshit out of your system soon.”
“Not happening.” Derek pulls me back against his hard body, and I feel his muscles relax as I melt against him. He takes a deep breath and lets it out. “This is Ryanne Collier, your soon-to-be sister-in-law.”
“About fucking time.” Ethan points at the chairs across from his chrome and glass desk. “Have a seat.”
My head is spinning at how quickly Ethan accepted his brother’s declaration.
“You’ll get used to us.” Ethan winks, causing his twin to growl again. “I can’t wait for you to meet my wife, Emma. She’s been dying to see this big lug settled.”
There’s a knock on the door before a middle-aged man walks into the office. “Sorry, it took me a while to get here.” Ethan stands to shake his hand while the newcomer explains, “I stopped by the hospital to check and see what’s going on with the patient.” Then he turns to me and Ethan. “Hello, I’m Douglas Rickman, the WesCo attorney.” He holds out his hand to me, and I take it before Derek’s growl fills the room.
Ignoring the caveman, I introduce myself. “Ryanne Collier.” Then I lean back to elbow my neanderthal in the ribs.
“What happened at the hospital?” Like someone flipped a switch, Ethan and Derek turn serious and all business.
Mr. Rickman explains that his investigator has already started digging up dirt on the would-be scammers. “I suggest you stay quiet and don’t talk to them until we have a chance to do a thorough investigation,” he recommends. “Try to keep a lid on what happened and make sure your employees know not to answer any questions from anyone without my permission.”
I take notes while they discuss the situation. When the meeting comes to an end, Ethan walks out with Douglas. Once we’re alone, Derek pulls me into his arms. “I’ve been missing your luscious body.”
“I’ve been sitting right next to you,” I remind him.
“Yeah, but I want you sitting on my face.” Desire blasts through my body as I imagine doing just that.
“I think we can make that happen,” my inner hussy blurts out.
“What are we waiting for?” He grabs my hand and drags me straight to the door.
“Fucking hell.” Ethan meets us in the hall. “Can’t you keep that thing under control for five minutes?” He raises an eyebrow at his brother.
“I’ll talk to you later,” Derek calls to his twin.