Chapter Four: Brothers
The door burst open without warning.
"KEIFER!"
Percy Mariano stormed in like a hurricane, all chaos and energy, his designer jacket flapping behind him. Aries followed at a more measured pace, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the room with the precision of a CEO who missed nothing.
Yuri lounged in the corner, grinning like he'd been waiting for this exact moment.
Keifer didn't flinch. He'd been expecting this. "Percy. Aries. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Don't give me that," Percy growled, slamming his hands on Keifer's desk. "My sister. Jasper. She was here. For an interview. WITH YOU."
"She was," Keifer confirmed calmly.
"And you didn't think to mention it? To call us? To warn us that our baby sister was walking into your lair?"
"Lair?" Keifer raised an eyebrow. "It's an office, Percy."
"Same thing when it comes to you," Aries said quietly, settling into a chair. His voice was calm, but his eyes held warning. "You know how we are about her. You know what she's been through. You should have told us."
Keifer met his friend's gaze steadily. "She asked me not to."
That stopped them both.
"She what?" Percy straightened.
"She doesn't want your help. Doesn't want your connections. She wants to make it on her own." Keifer leaned back. "I respect that."
Percy opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again. "Since when do you respect anything besides profit margins?"
"Since your sister fainted in my arms this morning."
Dead silence.
Yuri choked on air.
Aries went very still.
Percy's face cycled through about seventeen emotions before settling on disbelief. "She WHAT?"
"Fainted. On the sidewalk. I caught her. Bought her breakfast. Drove her here." Keifer ticked each item off on his fingers. "She didn't know who I was until she walked through that door."
"You bought her breakfast?" Aries repeated slowly.
"Croissant and coffee. She was hungry. Skipped breakfast because of interview nerves."
Percy grabbed a chair and sat down heavily. "I need a minute. My brain is breaking."
Yuri finally stopped choking. "I told you both. Gold. Pure gold."
Aries rubbed his temples. "So let me get this straight. Our sister, who hates entitled rich men, who swore she'd never date a CEO, who rolls her eyes every time we mention you—that sister let you buy her breakfast?"
"She also called me kind," Keifer added.
Percy made a strangled sound.
"And said the rumors about me being a cold, emotionless robot were wrong."
Aries stared at him. "She said that?"
"She did."
"To your face?"
"After she found out who I was. During the interview."
Percy turned to Yuri. "Pinch me. I think I'm dreaming."
Yuri obligingly reached over and pinched his arm. Hard.
"OW! Not that hard!"
"Just confirming you're awake."
Aries stood, pacing to the window. "Keif. She's our sister. Our baby sister. She's been through hell since our parents died. We've spent four years protecting her, making sure she's okay, and now—"
"Now she's standing on her own," Keifer interrupted gently. "Isn't that what you wanted? For her to be strong? Independent?"
"Yes, but—"
"But you're scared. I get it." Keifer stood, walking around to lean against his desk. "I'm not going to hurt her, Aries. I'm not going to use her or play games. She earned this job on her own. No favors. No connections. Just her."
Percy snorted. "You expect us to believe that? You? Mark Keifer Watson, who eats competitors for breakfast?"
"I don't eat people for breakfast. That's inefficient."
Yuri howled with laughter.
Aries wasn't amused. "And the fact that you drove her here? Bought her breakfast? Sat through her interview like nothing happened? That's just business?"
Keifer held his gaze. "That's me being interested. For the first time in my life. In someone who doesn't know my money or my name. Someone who looked at me like I was just a guy."
The honesty in his voice hung heavy in the room.
Percy's anger faded slightly, replaced by curiosity. "You're serious."
"Dead serious."
"You like her."
"I barely know her."
"That's not what I asked."
Keifer was quiet for a long moment. "There's something about her. I can't explain it. I don't want to explain it. I just want to see what happens."
Aries turned from the window, his expression unreadable. "If you hurt her—"
"I know. You'll kill me. Hide the body. Feed me to sharks. Very creative threats, all noted."
"I was going to say I'd tell Percy and let him handle it. He's more creative."
Percy grinned darkly. "I have ideas. So many ideas."
Before anyone could respond, a soft knock came at the door.
Jay's head peeked in, then froze at the sight of her brothers.
"Oh no," she breathed.
Percy's face lit up. "BABY SISTA!"
He was across the room in seconds, pulling her into a crushing hug. She squeaked, struggling against his grip.
"Percy! Put me down! I'm at work!"
"Work? WORK? You're at Keifer's company! Our Keifer! And you didn't tell us?"
Aries approached more calmly, but his hug was just as tight when he pulled her in. "Troublemaker. What have you gotten yourself into?"
Jay pushed away from both of them, straightening her blouse. "I got a job. That's what I got myself into. A normal, legitimate job. Which you two are currently embarrassing me in front of my new boss."
She shot a glare at Keifer, who was watching the scene with undisguised amusement.
"Your new boss," Aries repeated, glancing between them. "Right. About that."
"There's nothing about that," Jay said quickly. Too quickly. "He hired me. I start Monday. End of story."
Percy exchanged a look with Aries. Then with Yuri. Then they all turned to Keifer.
"Nothing about that," Yuri murmured. "Sure."
Jay's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Aries stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It means, troublemaker, that you can talk to my best friend. Since apparently you've already had breakfast with him."
Her mouth fell open. "Aries!"
Percy swooped in, kissing her cheek loudly. "Baby sista, I think you can handle our best friend better than us. You've got more courage than both of us combined."
"Percy, I swear—"
Yuri strolled over, bowing dramatically. "Me Mariano, take care of our best friend. He's annoying but harmless. Mostly."
Jay stared at all three of them. "Are you... are you leaving? All of you? Leaving me alone with him?"
They were already moving toward the door.
"Meeting!" Percy announced. "Important meeting. Very urgent."
"I have calls," Aries added smoothly.
"Lunch appointment," Yuri lied terribly.
"Aries! PERCY! Get back here!"
But the door was already closing, leaving her alone with Keifer.
She turned slowly to face him. He hadn't moved from his spot against the desk, arms crossed, that infuriating smile playing at his lips.
"Well," he said softly. "That was entertaining."
"My brothers are idiots."
"They love you."
"They're still idiots."
He pushed off the desk, walking toward her. She held her ground, even as her heart rate accelerated.
"So," he murmured, stopping close enough to touch. "You start Monday."
"Yes."
"Nine sharp."
"I'll be here."
"Good." His eyes searched hers. "And Jay?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you fainted."
She blinked. "You're glad I collapsed on a sidewalk?"
"I'm glad you asked me for help. I'm glad I was there." He tilted his head. "I'm glad you called me kind."
Her cheeks burned. "Don't get used to it. I might change my mind."
He laughed, low and warm. "I hope you do. Every day. Keep me guessing."
"That's not—I didn't mean—"
"I know what you meant." He stepped back, giving her space. "Monday, Jasper Jean Mariano. Don't be late."
She stared at him, completely thrown.
This man was going to be impossible.
And somehow, she couldn't wait.
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End of Chapter Four