Emily nodded. “He said the letters were a gift from him and his fiancée.”
Hayden shook her head slowly. “We had no idea Jaeg was making anything for us.” Her head tilted to the side. “I’m not certain how it will fit in our house, but I’m sure Adam will make room for it in the man cave.”
“Man cave?”
“Oh yes. The house I bought from my parents was too small, so Adam built a separate fun room in the backyard. His friend Lewis owns a construction company, and you’ve seen what Jaeg can do with wood. The man cave was supposed to be our spare bedroom, but with Adam in charge it turned into a huge living room with a fridge, the biggest television you’ve ever seen, and a leather couch with reclining chairs. I have to make appointments to visit him there, otherwise it’s occupied with his friends. Oh, and my dad. If my parents didn’t live in Reno, my dad would be over every day taking advantage of our dish.”
Emily laughed. “Can I visit? I wouldn’t mind a man cave.”
Hayden leaned in and lowered her voice. “Once a month, the girls take it over. Cali, Jaeg’s fiancée, left a box of tampons on the counter one time afterward, just to mess with the guys.” She cackled.
“That is brilliant. I don’t know Cali, but I already like her.”
“Adam never spoke of ‘the gift.’ Simply came inside the house and shook his head, smiling. His friends are way more territorial. I think because they don’t have a man cave of their own.”
They continued to chat while Emily helped Hayden bring in gifts for her bridesmaids. Soon Adam showed up in a dark navy suit. The man looked almost as good as Levi dressed up, but with a smaller build. Adam was definitely rocking the tall-dark-and-handsome look.
The Cade brothers could complain all they wanted about their father, but Ethan had given his sons phenomenal genes.
“Hello, beautiful.” Adam pulled Hayden into his arms and kissed her.
Emily looked away and busied herself, shifting candles that didn’t need rearranging. She’d never thought much about marriage. Only that one day she might like to have one, and maybe a child or two. The problem with that plan was finding the right man.
The men she’d dated weren’t commitment-phobes, but she’d never been able to see herself settling down with one of them. Her last boyfriend had been a jerk, which hadn’t helped. She’d never felt that strong connection. That she did for her boss was a real problem.
She checked emails on her phone to make sure the rest of the resort was running smoothly before the offices closed for the night—and that was when she felt Levi walk in.
The air had shifted, or the tension that existed between them had washed over her. Or dammit, maybe on some subliminal level a waft of his clean, manly scent had hit her—like crazy pheromones at play. In any case, she’d sensed him before she looked up.
Emily lowered her phone and caught Levi staring out at the room. His gaze slid to her.
He greeted Adam and Hayden for a moment, then walked over. “You did this?”
“It was Hayden’s vision.”
He nodded. “Good work.”
Her face warmed. No matter what stood between them, his appreciation meant a lot. “Guests will arrive soon.” She glanced at his suit and noticed his tie had been done. “Did the girls at Peak Attire do that for you?”
He looked down and touched his tie. “I did it.” A boyish smile flashed across his face—the lighter side of Levi she’d come to know. “Learned how on YouTube.”
Emily laughed, and God it felt good. Levi was smiling too. But then she remembered their interaction earlier and that not everything was okay. Far from it. Her smile faltered. “Did you talk to Samuel?”
His jaw tightened and he looked away, his expression hard. “No. I spoke to our accountant. Now that I know what to look for, it turns out Samuel also embezzled money from the company. Probably to pay for his investments in other companies. It wasn’t easy to connect the dots, but my financial director thinks one of the conference accounts we lost can be linked to Miller.”
“Holy shit.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “I mean, crap. Are you serious? Is that why the resort has been losing money?”
“Miller didn’t have time to take a lot. Maybe a hundred thousand. Not enough to put us in the red, but the revenue we lost from the clients he stole and sent to Blue—and, if my guess is right, to other hotels he’s invested in—was enough to hurt us.”
“He works here. Why not invest in Club Tahoe? Why would he have it in for you?”
This smile was cold and dangerous. “He doesn’t. It all comes down to business; it’s all about the money for him. It isn’t for us, though. Club Tahoe isn’t publicly owned. It’s split five ways—equal shares among my brothers and me.” Levi shoved his hands into the pockets of his suit pants. “Pisses me off too, because even though the business is for profit, we also give back. Ten percent goes to local and national charities, another twenty to property improvements, and a good portion of it goes into employee bonuses. Miller’s hurt the community, not just us.
“With the financial crisis we’re in, I’ve dropped the revenue earnings for my brothers and me to zero and cut our salaries until we come up with a solution. I won’t touch employee salaries or bonuses. No point if we can turn things around. My brothers and I can take the hit. Our workers shouldn’t have to.”
Emily just stared. That wasn’t the philosophy of a businessman. It was the voice of a man who’d spent his life in the service of others. Levi was still a firefighter at heart.
She swallowed and looked away. “You’re a good man, Levi.”
His gaze pinned her, desperate and pained. “I don’t feel like a good man after last night. For hurting you. If things were different…”
Her lips pressed together in what was meant to be a smile. “But they’re not.” One of the staff looked over and raised her hand in silent plea. “I’d better go. There’s more work to do. Enjoy the party.”
She moved to pass him, and he reached out, touching her arm lightly. He stared into her eyes. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Lisa chose the dress.”
“Your beauty has nothing to do with what you’re wearing, though you make the dress look good. You know this isn’t about you, right?”
“Isn’t it?” Emily walked away before she started crying. Damn him! Why did he have to stick the knife in and twist when she was already feeling vulnerable? He’d said they couldn’t be together. Then he followed it up with how beautiful she was.
No man looked at her the way Levi did. But she refused to let it slow her down. Not now, anyway. Later, maybe, when she could drown her sorrows in the privacy of her apartment and a sleeve of cookies.
Guests started pouring in, and Emily plastered on a smile and greeted them, showing people to seats and pointing out the open bar.
Both of Adam’s parents had passed, but business acquaintances and family friends congratulated him, gripping his shoulder fondly or hugging him, in the case of the women. And then there were Hayden’s family and friends mingling with the wealthier Cade connections.
Hayden’s mother had been a part of the local school district and now she was a part of Reno’s educational system. Between the two of them, Hayden and Adam had dozens of connections in the community. The mix of upper-crust Lake Tahoe with the middle-class population filled the room with a surprising amount of chatter and laughter.
Hayden was classy, but down to earth. And though Adam was the ritziest of the Cade brothers, his fiancée clearly brought out a warm side in him. It showed not only in their interactions, but in how they were able to bring friends and family from different social classes together for a lively party.
When it came down to it, Lake Tahoe was a small community, and most people either knew or knew of one another. Which could make things incestuous. Like how Emily had fallen in love with her sister’s ex-boyfriend.
Love… She pressed her fingers to her temples and rubbed. This would pass—her feel
ings for Levi and the awkwardness between them. It had to.
Dinner had been served and dessert was about to come out. Another round of drinks was being dispensed as people mingled and waited for Club Tahoe’s grand dessert tray to make an appearance. Emily made her way to one of the open doors and took in a deep breath of the cool evening air. The party was nearly coming to an end.
“Great job tonight.”
She swung around to find Hunt behind her. She glanced over his shoulder, and sure enough, Levi was looking in their direction with a scowl.
She sighed. Levi didn’t want her, but he didn’t want her with anyone else, either. Or maybe he just didn’t want her with Hunt. Levi and his youngest brother had every reason for their contentious relationship, but it didn’t make things easier at work.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
Hunt smiled—a smile that could seduce the strongest woman. And it did nothing for Emily, because Hunt wasn’t Levi. Would never be him. If anything, she felt mildly annoyed. This was the guy who’d betrayed his brother over Lisa, and Emily was pretty sure Hunt wouldn’t mind screwing over Levi again.
“I wanted to see how things are going with the children’s program. I heard you got Levi to agree to it.”
A new voice joined the conversation. “What’s this about?”
Emily looked back and saw Levi standing a few feet away.
“Didn’t she tell you?” Hunt said.
What was Hunt doing? He’d made her promise to not tell Levi that the idea had come from him. And now that she’d grown closer to Levi, she realized what a sticky situation that put her in.
“I asked Emily to pitch the children’s program to you. I knew you’d never agree to it if it came from me. Figured it would go over better coming from her, since you have a special fondness for the Wright sisters.”
“You’re an asshole,” Levi said.
“So you’re not fond of Emily?”
Levi’s gaze flickered to her, then sharply away.
“No?” Hunt said. “In that case…” Before Emily could figure out what Hunt was up to, because she was still trying to catch up to what this was really about, Hunt grabbed her and dipped her back, planting an open-mouthed kiss on her lips.
She pushed at his chest, but he didn’t let up immediately. Not until his body was physically yanked away.
Hunt straightened and wiped his mouth, smiling. “She tastes sweet. Just like—”
Whatever Hunt was about to say got cut off by a vicious right hook planted on his chin.
“Keep your filthy mouth off Emily,” Levi said, leaning over his brother, who was now on the ground. “She’s not yours.”
“Is she yours?” Hunt snarled.
“Yes!” Levi hit him again, but in some martial arts move, Hunt flipped his brother over him. As soon as Levi regained his footing, Hunt punched him in the stomach, forcing Levi back. Levi quickly caught his breath and leapt on Hunt. They wrestled, striking one another, and a crowd formed around them.
“Stop!” Emily shouted, searching for Adam or Bran, who she saw moving quickly through the crowd toward them. She wore the stupid sexy heels her sister had chosen—and that Emily had agreed to in a moment of weakness. She could barely walk in them, let alone break up a fight.
“Jesus, Levi!” Hunt said angrily. “You didn’t even hit me when I fucked Lisa.”
Levi elbowed Hunt in the head, knocking his brother over. “Don’t talk about Emily’s sister that way,” he growled. “If you ever touch Emily again…”
“You’ll what?! Disown me? Dad already did that, you asshole.” At Levi’s surprised expression, Hunt said, “Should have looked more closely at the will, big brother.” Hunt climbed to his feet and stormed away right as his brothers finally broke through the crowd.
Everyone watched to see what Levi would do next.
Without looking Emily’s way, Levi straightened his clothes and caught Adam’s eye. “I’ll be outside if you need me.”
Adam nodded, putting his arm around Hayden’s shoulders. Both of them appeared worried.
Emily walked over, her hands twisting together. “I’m sorry. So sorry.”
Hayden gave her a soft smile. “It’s not your fault.”
“They haven’t gotten along for years,” Adam said, but his mouth twisted. “I didn’t know about our father and Hunt… Didn’t know about the will. None of us were interested in what it said after he died. Once we learned we were in charge of the club, that’s all that seemed to matter at the time.” He looked off in the direction Levi had gone. “I should check on him.”
“No,” Emily said. “Let me. You two visit with your guests.” She glanced at the entrance and sighed in relief. “The dessert just arrived. Maybe people will forget there was a fight?”
Adam chuckled. “You kidding? They’ll be talking about it for weeks. That was some serious gossip fodder my brothers just dished out.”
And sure enough, the room was back to happy chatter, but with an elevated pitch.
Emily wasn’t sure more gossip about these brothers was a good thing, but there was nothing to be done about it. “Okay, well, I better check on Levi.”
Hayden nodded. “Go. We’ve got this.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Emily glanced around the pool area, but she knew where Levi would be. He stood at the end of the dock, his back to the resort.
She closed her eyes and paused on the edge of the sand before stepping onto the wooden platform. What could she say to make things better? By the time her feet were moving, she still didn’t know.
He’d called her his back there, but he hadn’t meant it because he’d made it clear he didn’t want anything serious. Claiming someone as yours was about as serious as it got, so what was he doing?
“Levi?”
His shoulders didn’t tense and he showed no outward sign of registering her presence. Probably because he’d already heard her coming. Pretty obvious with her spiked heels making clacking sounds on the wood. Come to think of it, she was sick of these darned shoes. They’d been pinching the hell out of her toes all evening.
Emily lifted her foot and pulled off one heel, then the next, setting them on a bench near the end of the dock and Levi. She sighed. “I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you. When Hunt suggested the children’s program, it was an excellent idea. He asked me not to offer up information on who’d given it. But I told him that if you asked, I would tell you. I’m sorry if it sounded like I lied.”
His shoulder hitched slightly and he peered halfway back before his gaze returned to the water. “It’s fine. This isn’t about you. Hunt knows how to get under my skin, and he does it every chance he gets.”
This was the part that had bothered her since she first met Hunt. “That’s the thing; he seems to be trying to shock you. He didn’t want to kiss me.”
Levi looked back fully this time, with a mocking smile. “You truly believe that?”
“I’m not saying Hunt regrets kissing any woman, but he wasn’t doing it for himself. He was doing it to get your attention. Think about it, Levi. He didn’t come to you with a great idea—because he knew you’d shoot him down. You’d shoot down any idea that came from him.”
“Because everything out of his mouth is repulsive and juvenile.”
“Everything?”
Levi turned back to the water, as though he didn’t want to hear it. But that was the problem. He needed to hear it.
“Hunt was sincere when he came to me with the idea for the children’s program—almost shy about it. What you saw tonight was him angry and trying to get your attention.”
“He shouldn’t have touched you. Shouldn’t use any woman to get to me.”
“You’re right. But sometimes when people are desperate, they do foolish things. It’s what my sister did when she slept with your brother. She wasn’t happy in the relationship and she ruined it. But I think Hunt genuinely cared for her. I don’t believe he slept with her to hurt you.”
“Why are we even talking about the past?” he growled. “It’s done. I can never forgive him for what he did. Not back then, and not after he touched you.”
“Why not? Everyone deserves forgiveness, particularly a brother who loves you. You’ll never be happy and move on until you do.”
He snorted. “Hunt doesn’t know what love is.”
“He knows more about love than you.”
Levi swung around, eyes flashing in the dim light. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Her chest turned to fire. “I can’t possibly be the only one feeling this.” She gestured between them forcefully. “You called me yours tonight. You’ve kissed me. Repeatedly. I felt those kisses in every cell of my body.”
He looked away, chin lifted.
“Darn it, Levi!” She let out a harsh sigh. “I get it that some people screw around for the fun of it, but that’s not you. Especially not after your history with my sister. You wouldn’t choose me for something casual. There has to be more. And for the record, I don’t believe what we have is wrong. It’s the rightest thing I’ve ever felt.”
Levi’s jaw tightened and he looked back. “That’s the problem. I didn’t choose you. This wasn’t planned. I’m not ready for a relationship.”
Emily looked up and growled. “You are a stubborn, stubborn man. Some of your best-laid plans—to become a firefighter, to marry my sister and produce the perfect family—they haven’t worked out. You even admitted it on the golf course when you were being playful and relaxed for once. Now you’re reverting, trying to control everything. As though that will make us all safe. Make you safe. Well, I have news for you. It won’t. We have something special and you’re throwing it away. Why? Because you didn’t expect it.
“What will it take to chip away at that wall you’ve built around yourself? I’ve laid myself bare to you. Told you how I feel.” She reached around her back and started unzipping her dress.
His gaze fixed on her arms. “What are you doing?”
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