Fifth Avenue Devil

Chapter 22

Twenty-Two

Nate

T he sun casts long shadows across Central Park. I’m dressed in loose, gray sweatpants and a black t-shirt. As I lean against a bench, I stretch my quads, mindful of the run I will go on soon.

If my damn private investigator ever shows up.

I search the park patrons for his face. A nanny pushing a stroller. Two young guys at a hot dog stand, and an older vendor. Several older women with austere expressions speed-walking past.

I walk impatiently to the nearby Alice in Wonderland statue and check my watch. The cool breeze of early autumn brushes against my face, but it does little to soothe the burning that I feel.

Annalise Gellar has been on my mind for far too long. I have questions about her that only Rahim can answer.

"Mr. Fordham." A gruff voice pulls me from my thoughts. I turn to find Rahim Abbas standing behind me. He’s dressed in a ratty gray sportscoat and worn jeans.

There is nothing noteworthy about Rahim whatsoever. He blends in perfectly on a New York City street.

“Let’s keep moving,” he suggests, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. Without waiting, he starts walking. Rahim’s natural walking pace is quick and I have to jog a few steps to keep up.

"Have you found anything?" I demand. “You’ve been following Ms. Gellar for a few weeks but you haven’t reported anything.”

"Nothing out of the ordinary," Rahim answers, shrugging slightly. "Ms. Gellar is just going about her business. Other than her frequent overnight visits to your penthouse, she doesn’t go anywhere other than work and home."

That’s not terribly surprising. I didn’t expect Rahim to find any skeletons hidden in Annalise’s closet. She’s too young to have much to hide.

“I’d like you to switch your focus. I want you to dig up dirt on the board members of Gellar Industries. I want to know anything that I can use as leverage against them."

He raises an eyebrow, clearly not expecting this change of direction. But he is the very definition of discretion. "You got it, Mr. Fordham." He doesn't ask questions about what I need the information for. He is the consummate professional private investigator.

I slip my hand into my pocket and pull out an envelope stuffed with cash. He looks at me coolly as I hand it over. He gives me a nod as he slips the envelope into his jacket.

"Anything else?" Rahim asks.

I shake my head. “No. Contact me as soon as you have something.”

“Will do.” He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans, then begins to jog quickly in the other direction.

My fingers tap restlessly against my thigh as I watch him dash away. My mind runs over the information that Rahim just gave me.

Annalise is living a quiet life. No surprise there. But it does warm me to know that she’s not some party animal in the hours that I don’t see her.

What am I doing? Annalise Gellar has wormed her way into my thoughts in a way no other woman has before. I can’t seem to help it. And it infuriates me.

But her determination, stubbornness, and intelligence make me infatuated with her. The fact that it’s all wrapped up in that petite, blonde package drives me wild.

It’s causing me to lose focus on what matters. When was the last time I went to my office to do some work alone? It’s been weeks.

"Get a grip, Nate," I mutter. “Annalise Gellar is just a girl.”

I wind my way over to the Central Park Boathouse, where my brothers Cash and James wait. Their laughter rings out like a familiar song, forcing me from my angsty thoughts. They approach me with wide grins.

"Look who finally decided to show his ugly mug." Cash jabs an elbow into my side.

I can't help but smirk at his playful banter. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," I retort, matching his tone. “You two always know how to treat me well.”

“You bet we do,” James chimes in. “Come on, slowpoke. We’ll get you in shape one of these days.”

“I am in shape!” I protest.

James looks at Cash. At once, they exclaim, “Nahhhh.”

I roll my eyes. Just because I don’t run in the park often doesn’t mean that I’ve ever skipped a day at my gym with my trainer.

We set off slowly, allowing ourselves to settle into a comfortable rhythm.

"Hey, did you hear about Cash's latest conquests?" James chuckles. He glances at me with a conspiratorial grin.

"Conquests?" I raise an eyebrow. “As in multiple? No, do tell.”

Cash smirks, reveling in the attention. He’s such a fucking ham. "I'm simultaneously juggling a supermodel, a lawyer, and a diner waitress. My life's hectic right now, just how I like it."

"Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen," I say. A hint of admiration lurks beneath my words. Cash has always been the Casanova of our brothers. He unapologetically embraces his hedonistic tendencies.

"Don't be such a nag, Nate." Cash dismisses my concerns with a wave of his hand. "That’s what we have James for.”

“Why am I catching stray bullets?” James gripes. “I’m always looking out for you guys, and this is the thanks I get.”

I flash James a grin. “Don’t forget that I’m technically the oldest son by twenty-seven minutes.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m pretty certain that your tombstone will read, Nate Fordham: a decent poker player, a lousy skeet shooter. Oldest brother by twenty-seven minutes .”

His words make me laugh hard enough that I fall behind my brothers for a few paces. By the time I catch back up, Cash is saying, “I've got everything under control. The three girls don’t know anything about each other, and I plan to keep it that way. What's life without a little risk?"

"Speaking of risks," James grumbles. His tone is as prickly as his personality. "I've got enough on my plate without worrying about Cash's escapades. Have I told you about Charlie?"

"Charlie?" I ask, getting winded.

"My best friend Derek’s eighteen-year-old whirlwind," he explains, shaking his head in exasperation. "Derek has been sick, as you know. He’s got stomach cancer. Well, Charlie has been staying at my place because Derek has been in and out of the hospital a lot lately. And she’s been ruining my life. She has temper tantrums like a fucking child."

"She sounds like a handful," Cash smirks. He seems amused by the idea of our grumpy brother dealing with a rebellious teenager.

"More than a handful," James confirms, his frustration evident.

"She's driving me crazy. I’ve caught her sneaking out to clubs and coming home at ungodly hours. This week, she’s suspended from her high school…"

I give James a sympathetic look. “And how is Addison taking it?”

At the mention of his long-term girlfriend, James pales. “Not well. I keep telling her that it’s just temporary. When Derek is back on his feet, I will gleefully kick Charlie out.”

"Good for you," Cash chuckles. "It’s good to have a plan so your girlfriend doesn’t murder you in your sleep."

I scoff, rolling my eyes. "I’m sure James will be fine."

“Yes, well.” A mischievous glint appears in Cash’s eye. "Nate, it’s your turn in the hot seat. Isn’t it time that you came clean about your latest obsession?"

"Obsession?" I feign ignorance. My heart rate spikes despite my best efforts to play it cool.

"Annalise Gellar," Cash grins, practically salivating at the opportunity to tease me. "I heard you two have been spending a lot of time together lately. Tell me the truth. Have you got a thing for her?"

"That’s just a stupid rumor." I dismiss his words with a snort, even as images of Annalise flood my mind.

Her blonde curls, her fiery defiance, the way she challenges me at every turn. The way she looked wearing nothing but my button-up last week…

I grit my teeth. "You know I don't mix business with pleasure."

"Sure, sure," James chimes in, clearly not buying my denial. "Stone cold Nate Fordham. A man never distracted by anything but the bottom line."

"Exactly," I retort. My jaw clenches as I push myself harder. My muscles scream in protest.

But no amount of physical stress can hide the truth. I have definitely mixed business and pleasure. And in Annalise, I’ve found a wealth of desire, a deep well of confusion, and a hint of vulnerability that I refuse to acknowledge.

"Whatever you say, brother," Cash smirks. “She’s just a girl that you know. Right?”

I don’t answer, pushing myself ahead. “I’ll race you to those benches!”

Sweat trickles down my temple just as we reach a row of benches beneath the dappled shade of a cluster of oak trees. We sprawl out, chests heaving and limbs aching from our punishing run through Central Park. Once we start to cool down, Cash resumes needling me.

"All right, Nate," Cash says. "Unless you plan to marry Archer Gellar’s daughter, you need to man up. I’m ready to put the pieces in place to tank Gellar Industries' stock. Tell me that I can go ahead with it."

I pause. Cash doesn’t know I’ve already signed the merger paperwork with Annalise. It wouldn’t hurt my company to tank the stock and let Gellar Industries twist in the wind. But it will complicate things with Annalise.

I know Cash is only trying to provoke a reaction. But the mere suggestion of betraying Annalise sends a shiver down my spine. I push myself up on my elbows and glare at Cash.

“Things with Gellar Industries are in a fragile place right now. I don’t want to do anything hasty.” My intention is to sound detached, but a tremor in my words robs them of confidence.

"What the hell is going on right now?" James asks. "You've never been one to waver with business, Nate. What's different this time?"

I'm acutely aware of their scrutiny. Still, I can't admit that I might have a heart. Not even to my brothers, let alone everyone else. My brothers would lose all respect for me.

I swallow the lump in my throat and force a smirk onto my face. "Nothing's different," I lie, my tone dripping with disdain. "I've got everything under control."

“Give me the word, then. I’ll start lining everything up for Gellar Industries to take a swan dive.”

I swat his words away. "Fine! If it will make you leave me the fuck alone, you can put the pieces in place. But I’m telling you, Cash. Don’t do anything more than that. I'll pull the trigger when I'm ready."

Cash's eyes gleam with excitement. He leaps up from the bench, clapping me on the shoulder. "I knew you'd come around. You won't regret this. We are going to be rich ."

“We’re already rich,” James says. “Try again.”

“Okay, so we’ll be filthy stinking rich. Is that better?”

I grimace and check my watch. “Let’s get going. I have meetings this afternoon that I have to get to.”

Cash claps me on the back. “There’s the cold, money-machine I know and love.”

As we head back towards the park entrance, I force myself to keep pace with my brother's long strides. But my brain slows down, thoughts of Annalise making me struggle to keep up.

Her captivating smile, fierce determination, and how she challenges me like no one else. I picture her face when she realizes I’ve just sold her out for a few million.

It makes my chest feel tight.

My brothers' laughter and teasing resumes as we continue our jog. It’s as if nothing has changed. But I can't help but feel the weight of the decision I've just made.

Can I follow through with it even if it means losing the one woman who's managed to break down my carefully constructed walls?