Naughty Or Nice / A Sinful Little Christmas. Rachael Stewart

      ‘Speak to Nate, Eva, or drop the past.’

      His tone brooks no argument, but how can I tell him I don’t dare have it out with my brother for fear of a relapse?

      ‘My business references speak for themselves. Speak to anyone about Waring Holdings and they will put your mind at ease…if it’s truly the business you’re worried about.’

      He lifts his jacket from the back of the chair and shrugs it on, taking up his laptop and case.

      ‘My number is in the email—call me when you’re ready to talk business.’

      And with that he leaves. I haven’t even managed a goodbye. I’m still floundering under the mess that is the past and the present, my family and my business—and, if I’m truly honest, my heart.

      To think I had believed it possible to be around him again and keep it tucked away was ridiculous.

      Maybe in some way I hoped the past would protect me, keep me safe from falling again. And maybe it would have, if not for the fact that the past as I know it—as my family know it—could well be based on a lie. Or a clever manipulation of the truth. My brother was a pro at doing both when he wanted to.

      And Lucas’s words in my kitchen about his ten-year wait… They told me there was more to his rejection than I believed all those years ago.

      But where does any of that leave me now?

      If the company failure was down to Nate, why would Lucas want to go into business with another Beaumont? Why would he sleep with me?

      I don’t want to think of it as some sort of vendetta, but I can’t help it. The rejected eighteen-year-old still inside me can’t believe his sudden turnaround. Get in business with the little sister…get in bed with her.

      It makes for the greatest revenge. But…

       ‘I’ve had ten years to wait for this.’

      Surely that shows he cares about me? Not my family, not my business, but me?

      I want answers. To explain ten years ago, five years ago. I want the whole damn lot.

      And that means going after him.

      My phone starts to buzz, along with my watch, and I know it’s Nate again without even looking. I ignore it.

      I’m going to finish going through the email. I’m going to get my meetings done for the day. And then I’m going get my head around all of this.

      If only it can be as simple as it sounds.