Fifth Avenue Devil

Chapter 16

Sixteen

Nate

W ill Annalise be at the gala I’m heading to? A part of me hopes so.

The sleek black car slides to a halt at the curb, its polished surface reflecting the bright city lights of Manhattan. I step out, the cool night air starkly contrasting with the warmth of the car that I just left behind. My gaze lifts to the grand hotel that dominates the skyline. Its facade is a testament to elegance, power, and most of all, money.

The revolving doors sweep me into another world. A world of glittering chandeliers casting prisms across the sea of high society. The hum of conversation fills the ballroom and blends with the subtle strains of a string quartet nestled in the corner.

I scan the crowd, noting the elegantly dressed attendees as they mingle, holding crystal flutes of champagne and nibbling delicate hors d'oeuvres.

There's a certain electricity in the air.

"Fordham!"

Heads turn when my name slices through the air. With a confident smirk, I stride forward.

“Nate.” I pivot toward the familiar voice. Cash stands there, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Alongside him is Drew, ViaLife's VP, who looms with that stern frown that seems etched into his features.

They're an odd pair. One dripping cocky charisma, the other as personable as a stone slab.

"Thought you’d never make it." Cash's voice is pissed, and it draws me away from the crowd. We move to the corner, our backs to a towering sculpture of abstract metalwork.

“I can’t remember a time when you two have ever willingly hung out together.” I cross my arms and look suspiciously from Cash to Drew. "What have you two been cooking up?”

"Archer Gellar," Drew says. His voice is low enough to be lost in the hum of the string quartet and clinking glasses. “The CEO of Gellar Industries? Well, he was the CEO until recently.”

I make a face. “Yeah, I certainly know all of that already.”

"Well, we have a plan to wring the last dollar from that old goat." Cash looks pleased with himself. Which in turn makes me doubly suspicious.

Cash always comes up with outrageous plans to short the stock market that only work out part of the time. It’s made him rich, but the amount of money he’s lost in the process is nauseating.

I raise an eyebrow and push out a breath. "Go on, then."

"His affairs are more than just rumors," Cash says. A crooked grin unfurls across his face.

Surprisingly, Drew nods along, complicit. "The affairs aren’t hard to uncover," he adds. "And we can prove it."

"So what?” I ask.

“So we leak them all to the press. We could get a bunch of the women together and pay them to sue him. You know the press will fall all over that kind of information. They’re always looking for a reason to shred a well-known man to ribbons.”

“So you would ‘Me Too’ Archer," I muse, rolling the concept around like a fine wine on my tongue. "Archer would be publicly shamed. Share prices would plummet. Then Gellar Industries becomes ripe for the picking."

Annalise already signed the merger docs, but I’m not ready to share that with Cash just yet.

"Exactly," they chorus, their eagerness palpable.

"Low-hanging fruit," I say. I keep my voice noncommittal, but I’m considering the prospect. "How deliciously underhanded."

Cash and Drew think I'm enticed by the thought of taking down my rival. Little do they know, my ties to Gellar's empire are deeper, more... personal. But that's a card I'll play close to my chest.

"Interesting proposition," I say. "But before we proceed with such a Machiavellian maneuver, tell me how you found out about this. Surely Archer has wall-papered the whole Upper East Side with non-disclosure agreements."

Cash chuckles, a sound as slick as his carefully styled hair. "A former Gellar nanny has come forward with her story. She gives a colorful account of working for the family for over five years."

I allow myself an inward sigh of relief. Nothing in Cash’s cavalier tone suggests he knows about Annalise and me. Drew doesn't give away anything, either.

My secret is safe for now.

"Drew, what are your thoughts?" I probe further, feigning interest in the details of their plan. I need to keep them talking while also not giving myself away.

The VP's eyes are sharp as flint. "We've been compiling evidence quietly. It's solid. Once exposed, it'll spread like wildfire through the media. Archer's reputation will be ash. Gellar Industries' stock will be practically worthless."

"Scandalous," I murmur. "Give me some time to think it over."

"Of course, take all the time you need," Drew says. He gives me a conspiratorial look, which means he thinks I’m on board.

Cash cuts in. “And by that, he means a couple of weeks at the outside. We must move on this soon before someone else gets wind of it.”

"Of course." I give them a little bow. "Gentlemen, enjoy the rest of the gala. I must circulate."

Cash and Drew both make their way to the bar. I turn in the other direction, wondering how their plan will affect my relationship with Annalise. After all, she is Archer’s daughter. If the company suffers a reversal of fortunes, she’ll likely feel it too.

As though I’d summoned her just by thinking her name, the glint of Annalise’s golden curls catches my eye, a Siren’s song in a sea of monochrome suits and dresses. I watch Annalise navigate the room with an elegance that belies her inexperience at the helm of a corporate empire.

She's a vision in crimson, the dress clinging tightly to her petite curves, provoking more than a few appreciative glances.

"Annalise," I call out. My voice cuts through the din of the gala as I intercept her.

Her head turns. Her nostrils flare and her eyes widen as she takes me in. "Mr. Fordham." Her tone is cautious, yet she is unable to mask the excitement in her eyes.

An electric current sparks between us. But before I can say anything more, Cash materializes beside Annalise, his trademark charm dialed to eleven.

He looks between us, and I can see him slowly putting the puzzle pieces in place.

If I’m not careful, he will know every wicked thing I’ve done to Annalise before I can interject. I want to go on the offensive. But I steel myself. It’s not exactly good business to growl and snap at my own brother over a girl.

Even if the girl is Annalise Gellar .

Cash extends his hand to Annalise. "Miss Gellar, isn't it? I'm Cash, Nate's brother. And you are far too beautiful to be standing here alone."

Cash’s smile is slick. His intent is clear as daylight. She’s a pretty girl. And Cash? Cash is a ladies’ man.

It makes me wish I had never invited Cash to woo Annalise when I’m finished with her.

"Mr. Fordham," she replies, her voice steady even as her body language screams discomfort. "You say that as if I mind being alone. But I don’t."

"Ah, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make your night a little better by joining you," he purrs, leaning closer.

I watch, torn between intervening and compromising what little distance remains between Annalise and me.

"I don’t think your presence would make anything better," she says tartly.

Cash raises a brow. He’s obviously not used to getting this much pushback from women.

"Hard to get, I like that," Cash says. He appears unfazed, but I've reached my breaking point.

I’ve watched Cash charm women for most of my life. I’m not about to stand here like a cuckold and let him seduce Annalise.

"Enough, Cash." My voice slices through their exchange like a blade. "She said she’s not interested. Take the hint."

"Touchy, aren't we?" Cash smirks. There’s a question in his eyes now as he gazes at me, a puzzle with pieces still missing.

"I’m not interested in standing here and watching you bully your way into Ms. Gellar’s bed," I growl. Possessiveness suddenly rears its head and demands to be heard. “Or maybe she’ll surprise you by punching you and breaking your nose. Archer Gellar is known to have a mean sucker punch.”

Cash rolls his eyes. But he does take a step away from Annalise. He smiles at her. "I could introduce you to the right people, you know."

She stiffens like a cornered doe. “I just spotted a friend that I haven’t seen in a while. If you will both excuse me–”

Cash grabs her arm. “Wait a second.”

Annalise rears back. Dark intent sparks in her eyes. Immediately I step between them, physically separating her from my brother to keep her from attacking him.

“Go,” I order her. “Cash and I are going to take a walk outside.”

Annalise stares at me for a second. I swear I can see her deciding whether or not to attack Cash anyway. Then she gives a tiny shake of her head. She turns and walks away.

“Jesus, Cash,” I say, once the crowd has swallowed her. “I thought you were supposed to be a smooth operator. What in the fuck was that?”

"Easy, big brother," Cash replies, his eyes wide with mock innocence. "Just having a bit of fun. Sometimes you meet girls that say they aren’t interested, but it’s just them playing coy."

"Annalise didn’t look very coy from where I'm standing." The words are out before I can stop them.

Cash's eyebrows arch. "And since when do you care about Archer Gellar's daughter?"

"I should tell you that Gellar Industries is already merging with ViaLife," I concede through clenched teeth. I hate the need to justify my protectiveness over Annalise. Like it’s a tactical diversion, nothing more.

“A merger?” A laugh bubbles up from Cash's throat, rich and knowing. "Is that all it is?"

"Back off," I hiss, my jaw setting like concrete. "Annalise is young, Cash. She’s certainly not old enough for you to be messing with her head."

“I see.” Cash smirks, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Now about the merger. Did she sign anything?”

“Yes.” I pause. “I haven’t filed the papers with the courts, though.”

“So you’re hesitating. That’s good for me. What's it to you if I kill the merger and make it easy for you to buy Gellar Industries for pennies on the dollar? Are you Annalise’s boyfriend now, Nate?"

His question hangs heavy between us. I clench my jaw and my blood boils beneath my skin.

"Watch your mouth," I growl, and with a swift motion, I grab him by the arm. No one lays claim to Annalise—least of all my brother. “Now let’s go.”

I frog march Cash toward the ballroom door, seething.