17. Colton

Colton"s fingersdanced across the keyboard with the grace of a seasoned pianist, his focus laser-sharp. Around him, the controlled chaos of Sterling Enterprises hummed along efficiently. Emma shuffled through a stack of papers, her eyes scanning each document before adding it to the growing pile on her boss' desk.

"The Singapore deal projections, sir," she said. Colton gave her a cursory nod, already engrossed in the numbers on the page.

The hum of productivity continued to fill the room until the ping of a text message cleaved through the air, sharp and intrusive. Emma glanced up, concern knitting her brows as Colton"s focus fractured. His hand froze mid-motion, his gaze locked on the screen of his phone. A frown etched itself onto his features as he read, and she felt a twinge of alarm.

"Emma, that"ll be all," his voice cut through the silence, abrupt and final.

Emma opened her mouth, but one look at Colton"s stony expression quelled any further objection. She nodded and exited the office.

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Colton ensnared in solitude. He sat motionless for a moment before springing from his chair like a coil released from its tension. He began to pace—every footfall resonated against the plush carpeting of his spacious office, a rhythm marking the seconds he didn"t have to spare.

Outside, gray clouds amassed above the cityscape like an omen. The impending storm mirrored the tumult in Colton"s chest—a whirlwind of anger and panic clashing with an undercurrent of dread.

With each pass by the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the skyline, Colton"s reflection trailed him—a ghostly reminder of vulnerability he rarely acknowledged.

He loosened his tie with jerky motions, suddenly feeling choked. His thoughts were a jumble, only one truth ringing clear—he couldn"t lose Delcy.

He ran an agitated hand through his hair and sank onto the leather couch, leaning forward with elbows braced on knees. He stared at the phone still clutched in his hand. Delcy"s text taunted him, underscoring his helplessness. For once, he was unsure how to proceed. His characteristic confidence had deserted him, leaving him exposed and vulnerable.

A soft rap at the door had Colton glancing up. Emma stood hesitantly in the doorway, concern furrowing her brow.

"Is everything all right, sir?"

Colton looked away, jaw tightening.

"I"m fine," he bit out dismissively. Emma withdrew without another word, pulling the door closed behind her.

Colton resumed pacing, his Italian loafers soundless on the plush carpeting. He needed to act but the path forward was unclear. Groomed from childhood to conquer and command, this uncertainty left him adrift.

In an adjacent office separated by a shared wall of success and ambition, Jaxon mirrored his brother's restless movements, his agitation evident, his expression thunderous. Delcy"s text had rattled them both.

The staff in the corridor exchanged glances; something unspoken had unsettled both bosses—a rare occurrence that didn"t bode well.

A bolt of lightning splintered the sky outside, followed by a low rumble that resonated within the glass and steel confines of Sterling Enterprises. It was as if nature itself conspired to echo the brothers" inner turmoil—a symphony composed for an audience of two.

Colton turned away from the window as another flash illuminated his features—stern jaw set, eyes ablaze with resolve mixed with fear. Delcy had become his paradox. She was both his shield and his undoing. And as he faced this truth head-on like a ship bracing against stormy seas, Colton knew one thing for certain—he wasn"t ready to let go without a fight.

The door burst open, and Jaxon stalked in, face dark with concern.

"Colt! What the fuck are we going to do about Delcy?"

* * *

Colton scannedaround the modest café, the ambiance hovered somewhere between lackluster and comforting—a strange hybrid that seemed to fit Delcy"s current mood perfectly. The place was far from their usual haunts, but it was Delcy"s choice, and they were more than willing to oblige. He and Jaxon knew she needed to feel in control, to set the tone for their meeting on her own terms.

The brothers had become fixtures by the frosted window, the worn leather of the chairs hugging their forms as they waited. It was a stark contrast to the anticipation that used to hum in the air when they would stand by their sleek car, waiting outside her apartment, ready to whisk her away to places where the silverware gleamed as much as their expectations.

Now, on this nondescript Saturday, they sat with cups of lukewarm coffee untouched. The clientele was sparse, just scattered souls seeking solace in solitude or lackluster pastries.

Colton watched the door with an intensity that could have burned through steel. And then she walked in. The bell above the door tinkled, a soft herald of her arrival, and she appeared like a vision in simple jeans and a sweater that hugged her frame modestly. Her hair was braided down her back, a few wisps escaping around her face as if they too couldn"t resist but be closer to her. She was stunning in an effortless way that punched the breath right out of Colton"s lungs—a fresh girl next door that held his heart in her unassuming grasp.

As Delcy approached, Colton caught the flicker of nerves dancing across her features like shadows at dusk. She pulled out the chair across from them and settled down with a grace that made even this act seem significant.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Sterlings," she greeted, her voice wrapping around their titles with a formality that erected walls where none used to stand.

The words stung more than Colton anticipated. They were a reminder of the chasm that had opened up between them—a chasm he was determined to bridge.

Jaxon gave him a sidelong glance, a silent communication they had perfected over years of brotherhood. It said everything: Let it be for now.

"Delcy," Jaxon began, allowing her name to roll tenderly off his tongue as if it could convey all the words he held back. "It"s just us here—no need for formalities."

She remained silent for a moment, and seemingly overcome by anxiety, grasped for the menu. Her fingertips skimmed its border while her eyes flitted up to meet Colton"s, then Jaxon"s, only to dart away. The vulnerability in that small gesture twisted something deep within Colton.

She finally opened her mouth, perhaps ready to divulge the secrets pressing against her lips, but the moment shattered with the waiter"s approach.

"Can I get you anything?" he asked, pen poised over the notepad.

Her voice wavered just a touch. "Cappuccino, please."

Colton"s eyes followed the movement of her throat as she spoke, admiring the graceful line. He imagined what it would feel like to press his lips against the tender skin there, to feel the flutter of her pulse.

The waiter nodded and retreated, leaving a wake of tension that settled back over the table. Delcy reached up a hand, tucking a stray wisp of hair behind her ear, a nervous tick that didn"t escape Colton"s notice. The innocent gesture made something clench deep in Colton"s chest. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and soothe away the apprehension that clung to her like early morning mist.

Delcy"s gaze swept across the café, delaying the unavoidable conversation that brought them together, her fingers worrying the hem of her sweater. Colton could see the uncertainty in her eyes, though she was clearly trying to hide it. The warm lighting softened her features, casting a delicate glow across her skin.

The waiter returned and placed a cup on the table in front of Delcy.

"Thanks," she said, a small smile on her lips.

"Enjoy," he said.

Delcy cleared her throat delicately and finally broached the inevitable subject.

"The text message..." she began, halting over the words. "As I"ve stated in the message, the fact I"m a, uh, a treasure at that club, I didn"t know about it until very recently. I was... tricked into it, so to speak."

Colton remained silent, though everything in him strained to interrupt, to reassure her. He tamped down the urge. She needed to say this at her own pace.

"I didn"t know I had signed an exclusive contract with you both." She risked a glance up at them, her eyes clouded with uncertainty.

Colton met her gaze steadily, hoping she could read the care in his eyes, the desire to protect her.

Delcy took a bracing breath before continuing. "I would like to terminate that contract." Her voice was soft but firm with conviction.

"And the five million?" Colton asked gently.

Delcy swallowed hard, her slender fingers tightening on the table edge, her face draining of color as if she were confronting ghosts rather than flesh and blood. "I"ll return the five million. I have two million with me."

Colton leaned forward slightly. "And the other three are commissions that go to Miss Hamill and the Alpha Gold Club. Do you think they"ll just hand over their shares of one point five million each out of generosity?"

"I know that they won"t," she said.

Even in her distress, she stated it plainly, without accusation or bitterness. Something swelled in Colton"s chest, a surge of tenderness and pride in her quiet strength.

"So you"ll sue them?" he asked. "You do realize Miss Hamill comes from a powerful family and Alpha Gold Club is no stranger to high society"s elites?" His words were like ice shards cloaked in velvet.

Delcy shivered visibly. Colton could almost see her heart fracturing under the strain.

Jaxon stood abruptly, the movement drawing Delcy"s startled gaze. He knelt gracefully before her, the picture of supplication. Gently, he took her hand in his.

"Delcy, we understand your situation," he said softly but firmly. "However, the fact remains you owe us the remaining three million after paying the two million. That"s not taking into account interest."

A single tear betrayed Delcy"s composure, sliding down her cheek uninvited. Colton clenched his jaw against the urge to comfort her. He despised seeing her so distressed, but he knew Jaxon"s intentions. They just needed her to listen.

"We have a proposition," Jaxon continued gently.

"What is it?" Her voice, barely more than a whisper, carried a desperate hope.

"Spend just two weeks with us," he said, his thumb tracing delicate circles on her wrist as he spoke. "And all that debt will disappear."

Her eyes widened. "Two weeks… with you and Colton?"

Hearing his name on her lips again sent a spike of heat through Colton. He kept his tone even.

"Yes, just two weeks with us as our girl on vacation," he said.

Delcy bit her lip. "What"s… What"s the catch?" Of course, she would see through them. Perceptive as always.

Jaxon raised his hand, the motion deliberate yet filled with a tenderness that belied the strength in his fingers. He traced the soft curve of her cheek, his thumb grazing over her lips with a gentle pressure that bordered on persuasive, almost seductive. In her eyes, a spark of understanding flashed, a wordless exchange that conveyed volumes in the brief connection of their eyes.

"Surely you know how much we want you, Delcy," Colton said, allowing a hint of huskiness to touch his words.

Delcy drew in a shaky breath, clearly weighing their words against an unseen scale in her mind as she leaned unconsciously into Jaxon"s touch.

"Take your time and think it over," Colton added gently. No pressure, only care.

Jaxon added encouragement with a twinkle in his eye.

"And to aid your decision—let"s play a game during those two weeks. For every game you win"—he paused for effect—"we'll pay you one hundred grand."

Delcy"s eyes widened at the exorbitant sum, her lips parting softly. Colton could see the indecision swirling within her. He hoped she could also see the depths of their affection.

They would give her time to consider their offer. For now, it was enough to simply be near her, to breathe the same air and watch the play of emotions across her beautiful face. Colton released a slow breath, letting the tension ease from his shoulders. They would be patient.

"I"ll think about it." Her voice was stronger now; perhaps their offer had sparked something within her—a challenge or maybe hope for freedom from this financial bind she found herself entangled within.

As she mulled over their proposition silently, Colton watched the gears turn behind her thoughtful gaze while Jaxon kept hold of her hand as if anchoring her to this moment of decision—a lifeline amidst turbulent seas.

"Let us know soon," Jaxon"s voice broke through the heavy air, light but laced with an unspoken urgency.

Delcy nodded, her hand trembling slightly as she brought the cappuccino to her lips.

Colton watched the cup touch her mouth, his heart twisting with a longing that surged unbidden. He yearned to trace the curve of her lip with his own, to reignite the memory of their second date when everything seemed drenched in promise.

He found himself transfixed by the delicate movement, the way the cup cradled her fingers. He imagined, just for a moment, leaning across the table to capture her lips with his own, still warm from the heated drink.

But he resisted the urge, tamping it down. Now was not the time.

Her phone shattered the moment, its ringtone slicing through the tension. Delcy glanced at the screen, and for a fleeting second, Colton caught sight of the caller ID—Sunrise Care. A jolt of unease spiked through him when he noted a crease of concern formed between Delcy"s brows.

Her expression folded into worry as she answered with a hushed, "Hello?" Her eyes flicked up to meet theirs—a silent apology—and then she was all urgency. "I"ll be right there," she assured the caller before ending the call.

She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the tile floor.

"I have to go," she said, her voice steady despite the clear distress in her eyes.

Colton and Jaxon rose in tandem, concern etching their features as they watched Delcy gather her things. She offered them a tight smile that didn"t quite reach her eyes and hurried from the café.

Once she disappeared from view, Jaxon turned to Colton. "It must be something to do with her grandfather."

Colton nodded, his thoughts churning like storm clouds on the horizon. Delcy was in a bind, one not of her making—a place where circumstance had pushed her into corners darkened by shadows of obligation and necessity.

He felt for her deeply—it was an ache that settled in his bones, a whisper of helplessness that clawed at him from within. Colton wanted nothing more than to extend a hand and pull her from the mire of her troubles. But he knew all too well how fiercely she clung to her pride and independence; any attempt at aid might only serve to drive a wedge between them.

Jaxon watched his brother"s face—a map of conflicting emotions—and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "She"ll figure it out," he said with quiet confidence.

Colton managed a nod but said nothing. He trusted Delcy"s resilience and resourcefulness, but this was more than just a simple problem—it was a test of their bond and their future together.

They settled back into their seats as the waiter returned. "Everything okay?"

Jaxon waved him off with a casual hand. "Just fine."

* * *

Colton sat in his office,the walls lined with books that reflected a lifetime of diverse interests, from the esoteric to the mundane. The large mahogany desk was immaculate, save for the phone at its center, vibrating with the arrival of a new message. The screen lit up, casting a pale glow across the room that was otherwise steeped in shadows. He reached for it, the cool surface of the device familiar under his fingertips as he read the text, a single word that held the weight of a thousand promises. Yes.

Relief coursed through him like a wave breaking on the shore, yet it dragged with it grains of fear and doubt. Colton knew that this arrangement, albeit unorthodox, would pull Delcy back from the precipice of financial ruin. She had agreed to their proposal and would be theirs for two weeks—time enough for Jaxon and himself to revel in her presence and fulfill desires left too long unchecked. Yet as much as the prospect thrilled him, there was a bitter tang to the sweetness. They were going about this in a roundabout way that danced dangerously close to deceit.

The air in his office felt heavier than before as Colton contemplated their situation. What would happen after those two weeks? Would the bond between them fray even further? Would she sever ties completely, leaving a chasm where once there had been tentative bridges?

His heart twisted at the thought. Delcy had indeed begun to fall for them—that much was evident in her stolen glances and lingering touches. But she wore her independence like armor and her pride like a crown; trust was not easily earned in her eyes, especially now when it hovered near rock bottom.

His reverie was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Jaxon sauntered in with that trademark grin of his, eyes twinkling like stars in an otherwise empty sky. His stride was confident, his demeanor untroubled by the complexities that gnawed at Colton"s conscience.

Jaxon"s mood shift was palpable—just two days ago he had been a cloud of worry despite his cheerful exterior.

"Leave everything to me, brother," he said with a confidence that was contagious. "I"ll find us the perfect vacation spot."

Colton managed a half smile at Jaxon"s enthusiasm. "Make sure it"s somewhere Delcy will feel at ease," he reminded gently.

Jaxon nodded and leaned against the desk, his mind already churning with plans and possibilities.

"And I"ve been thinking about what she"ll wear," he mused aloud. "Delcy"s going to need dresses—stunning ones—and accessories to match."

The notion seemed frivolous on its surface but held a deeper significance; they were not just providing Delcy with financial respite but also crafting an experience—a world where she could shed her burdens and perhaps see them in a new light.

"Get Lou to help you with that," Colton suggested. "She would delight in choosing outfits for Delcy."

Jaxon"s face lit up even more at the mention of their sister"s name. "You"re right. Lou will be thrilled to help—she has impeccable taste."

Jaxon rattled off ideas for games they could play—nothing too challenging but enticing enough to pique Delcy"s competitive spirit.

"She"ll win most of them."

Colton knew there had to be stakes; otherwise, there would be no thrill in victory or bite in defeat.

"And if she loses?" he asked, though he already knew what sort of penalties Jaxon had in mind.

The twinkle in his twin"s eye became mischievous as he grinned wider.

"Well then," he drawled, "Delcy will have to pay a penalty."

Colton felt an unexpected surge of excitement at the thought—excitement tinged with something darker and more primal—the crude, untamed core of his alpha nature. He quickly tamped it down. Now was not the time for such feelings to take hold.

Jaxon clapped his hands together with finality.

"It"ll be fun," he said with certainty.

Colton nodded slowly, allowing himself a moment to indulge in the anticipation Jaxon radiated so effortlessly. Yet beneath it all lingered his trepidation—this delicate dance they orchestrated might just as easily send Delcy spinning out of their reach forever.

He stood and joined Jaxon by the window overlooking the city below—a tapestry of lives intertwining and unraveling just beyond the glass. They were brothers united by more than blood; they shared a connection with Delcy that defied easy explanation—a connection that both fortified and complicated their lives.

"We have to tread carefully," Colton said. "If this backfires..."

Jaxon turned to face him, an eyebrow cocked in amusement.

"Since when are you so cautious?" He clapped a hand on Colton"s shoulder with brotherly affection. "Trust me."

The simple statement held more weight than Jaxon likely realized. Trust—the very foundation upon which they hoped to rebuild their relationship with Delcy—was what they needed now between themselves.

"I do trust you," Colton said. "But this isn"t just about having fun or winning games—it"s about showing her we"re worth another shot."

Jaxon"s expression softened at the edges, his eyes reflecting understanding as they met Colton"s gaze.

"We will," Jaxon said with conviction that bordered on vow. "She"ll see us for who we are—the good and bad—and decide for herself."

Colton allowed himself a small smile at Jaxon"s words—a flicker of hope amid uncertainty.

"All right, then," he conceded with renewed determination as he glanced back out over the cityscape—a world full of possibilities yet constrained by reality.

Jaxon slapped him on the back before making his way to the door, already pulling out his phone to undoubtedly begin arrangements for their upcoming retreat.

As he watched Jaxon leave, full of plans and schemes designed to delight and entice Delcy into their fold once more, Colton felt a curious blend of anxiety and anticipation stir within him.

This game they were about to play had higher stakes than any before; not just money or pride hung in the balance but hearts—Delcy"s and their own—poised on the edge of revelation or ruin.