Ways in the Guardian: A Menage Romance Book Collection

by Barbara Downey

  Maria touched her shoulder sympathetically and said, “These things happen- look, you have options if you don’t want to go through with it.” Chloe shook her head quickly and said, “No- I- I think I want to keep the baby.” This was the first time she had said it, perhaps even the first time she considered it, but she felt confident in her decision. Maria nodded and said, “Well, I’m here to help you, in any way you want. Here,” she fished in her purse and pulled out a business card, “Take my number, and call me whenever you need anything. You don’t have to go through it alone, okay?” Chloe nodded and looked at her gratefully. “Thank you, Maria- I can’t tell you how much this-” but Maria shook her head and hugged her quickly as she said, “Don’t mention it. I’ve got to get back to work- will you be okay?” Chloe nodded and said, “Yeah- yeah I think I will be.”

  *****

  By the time Chloe emerged from the bathroom, having rinsed out her mouth and reapplied her lipstick, Stephen’s meeting with his sons seemed to have developed into something very serious. She shakily carried a tray of coffee cups and biscuits, and balancing it all in one hand, she knocked nervously on the door with the other. “Yes?” Stephen called out gruffly and Chloe pushed open the door, carrying the tray. “Oh- right, thanks Chloe.” She set it down and glanced up to see Dan smiling at her. She smiled back and turned around to leave, closing the door behind her, but not before she heard Stephen sigh impatiently and say, “Can you pay attention, Daniel? This is important.”

  Dan jumped a little at the sound of his father’s scolding and hastily said, “Yeah Dad, I’m listening- what’s up.” Stephen sighed again and said, “Look, I’m marrying Janine in less than a month, and since your mother passed, I gave everything I had to you boys and this company. But I’m old now, I don’t want to keep this up- ambition and drive, those are young men’s games.” Alex and Dan glanced at each other before they looked back at their father. “What are you saying, Dad?” Alex asked slowly, and Stephen shrugged as he said, “I’m saying that I want to retire.”

  Dan, who had just taken a large gulp of coffee, nearly choked as he said, “Retire?” Alex sat forward and urgently said, “Dad- you can’t be serious. I mean, Bennett Industries is your life’s work- it’s your legacy.” Stephen nodded and said, “Legacy, exactly. One that I’m leaving for you.” Dan slowly put down his coffee cup and chose his words carefully as he said, “You’re leaving us your company?” Stephen nodded and said, “Well- one of you. Can’t have two CEOs, right? That’s why I’ve been monitoring the LA and Boston divisions carefully- if I’m going to entrust my company to one of you, I need to know that you won’t run it into the ground.” Dan leaned forward and furrowed his brows. “Let me get this straight- you’ll make one of us head of all of Bennett Industries? And what about the other one?”

  Stephen waved a hand dismissively, “Well obviously the two of you will be working together- you’re both Bennetts, but one of you will be CEO, that’s all.” Dan sat back in his seat and folded his arms over his chest while Alex quietly sipped his coffee. “Dad- I don’t understand why the two of us can’t be equal partners,” Dan was on the verge of shouting, and Alex knew he had to interceded so he said, “I think Dan’s right, Dad- I mean why make us battle it out like some King Arthur crap?” Stephen held a hand up and both his sons fell quiet immediately. “One of you will lead Bennett Industries forward, and it will be the one who proves himself to me. I’ve made my decision, and it’s final.”

  Alex glanced at his brother, who was slowly turning purple in the face and he quickly said, “Well, if we’re done here, I’d like to go please.” Stephen put on his glasses and waved his hands to dismiss the boys. They both got up to leave when their father called out, “And remember, dinner with Janine tonight. You two had better be on your best behavior- remember, business stays here in the office, and at home we’re family.” Dan stormed out of the office without another word and Alex lingered behind for a bit, considering talking to his father, but then he decided against it and followed his brother out. He decided to find Dan and calm him down- there was no way he would fight his own brother for a position at the company. He stepped out of Stephen’s office, looking around for his little brother when he caught sight of him leaning over Chloe’s desk again. She was laughing at another one of his stupid jokes, and suddenly, something inside of Alex snapped.

  Why should he be fair to his brother when his brother hadn’t ever thought that for him? No- Alex would beat Dan at his own game. Since Dan loved to compete with him, Alex would give him a run for his money- Stephen had said he would leave the company to the son who proved he was more capable. To Alex, the answer was simple- it was him. He was the one who worked hard, pouring all his strength, time, and energy into his division of the company while Dan just sailed through life on his looks and charm alone. No- he had something to prove now. He walked over to the two of them and casually interrupted Dan, who was in the middle of another one of his jokes. “So- Chloe, yes to the cake tasting tomorrow?” Chloe looked up, surprised as she said, “Oh- sure. It’s at 12:30 at the Crown Hotel.” Alex smiled and said “I’ll pick you up from here at 12.” Dan stared at his brother, unable to believe that he would do that- didn’t he see that Dan had been trying to chat up the secretary all day? He narrowed his eyes- it was just like Alex to be competitive like that. And if he was acting this way over a girl, Dan could only imagine what Alex would do for the company. Well, Dan wasn’t going to stand for it- if a competition is what Alex wanted, then that’s what he was going to get.

  *****

  After leaving the office building, Dan was in no mood to back home and face either Alex or Stephen. Instead, he rounded the corner and visited what used to be his favorite bar back when he lived in the city. As he walked towards it, he realized with a small sigh of disappointment that the bar was no longer there- it had been replaced by a fancy little atelier. He shook his head and then walked back towards the office, calling his chauffeur to come pick him up. “Sorry sir, I’m with Mister Alex- I didn’t think you’d be joining us.” Dan closed his fist tightly and then said, “That’s okay, Freddy- you just get Alex home; I’ll find my way.” He kept walking till he reached a sad little diner and stepped in, ordering some pie and coffee as he sat down heavily. The truth was he was tired of the constant act he put up. He was exhausted from being the funny, charming one- it was a mask he had learned to put on in high school when everybody would compare him to Alex, and since then, it had been a little hard to take that mask off.

  His food arrived and he smiled widely at the waitress, flirting a little to get some extra whipped cream with his slice. She happily obliged, and once she left, Dan’s face fell again. He hated being home- he had been looking forward to meeting his brother after years, but Alex was just the same. Dan gloomily tucked into his pie, scooping a large forkful into his mouth. He was just tired of always competing with Alex, but somehow he got sucked into every time. Earlier that morning, Alex had seemed more interested in his papers than he had been in the secretary, but when he saw Dan making her laugh, he just had to butt in. He had noticed Alex hanging back to talk to Chloe once Dan had stepped into Stephen’s office. Dan sighed- he knew he often acted the fool, but sometimes he really thought that he was the more mature one, and that Alex was a competitive little child running around in an adult body.

  Dan was getting angrier and angrier by the minute, just thinking about all the shit Alex had pulled since he had arrived in New York. Dan had heard the tone of resentment in Alex’s voice when he heard that Dan had arrived in the private jet. He had ignored it, but he had also felt annoyed- what was stopping Alex from doing the same thing? He could have easily gotten the jet for himself, but he didn’t, and now he resented Dan for it. Similarly, Alex hadn’t woken Dan up when he knew both of them had to be at Bennett Industries in the morning, leaving Dan to make his way on his own. Dan had been ready to brush these little things aside, ready to forgive his older brother and move on- but what he had done to
day was unacceptable.

  When Stephen had announced that one of them would rise to the CEO seat, Dan had tried to change his father’s mind to make sure both brothers got an equal share- yet Alex had simply just sat back and watched the show quietly. Dan shook his head in disgust- he couldn’t believe that Alex was so selfish. He thought about Chloe then, and suddenly, his vision clouded over with rage. He paid the bill and left, feeling angrier and angrier at Alex as he walked home, his shoes covered in grime from the streets. As he made his way, he hatched a plan to take down Alex, once and for all. Once he got home, he avoided lunch with his father and brother and went straight up to his childhood bedroom. It felt too much like old times, when he would fight with Alex over petty things and then shut himself up in his room- except this time they weren’t nine years old.

  He next emerged from his room when it was time for dinner. Janine was due to arrive any minute, and Stephen was pacing anxiously around the living room. When he saw his father nervously glance at the door every few minutes, some of his anger melted away. “Hey Dad, you okay?” Dan called out softly from the stairs. Stephen jumped and said, “I’m fine, I’m fine- well, truth be told I’m a little nervous about you guys meeting her.” Dan stared at his dad- he looked just like a kid about to go on his first date and involuntarily, Dan smiled. “It’ll be okay, I’m sure we’ll all get along really well.” Just then, the doorbell rang and Stephen jumped again. Dan grinned and said, “Relax.” To his surprise, Stephen grinned back.

  When the butler opened the door, a tall graceful woman stood on the porch. She greeted the butler with a warm smile before turning to Stephen and saying, “Hi darling.” Stephen walked over and hugged her before he said, “Jan, sweetie- meet Dan.” Janine swept into the room and embraced Dan, catching him by surprise. As she moved away he smiled widely at her and said, “So you’re the one who’s making my father so ecstatic. It’s very nice to meet you.” Stephen grinned happily at Dan, and then they heard footsteps on the staircase. A second later, Alex walked in and shyly said, “Hi, I’m Alex.” Janine hugged him too and said, “I’m so glad to finally meet you two- look at the both of you; you’re so handsome just like your father.” Stephen took Janine’s coat and said, “Shall we move into the dining room?” Before they did, the doorbell rang again and when the butler answered it, he opened the door to reveal Chloe standing there nervously, “Sorry- am I late?”

  *****

  Chloe looked ravishing in a dark purple evening dress that bared her delicate shoulders and accentuated her tiny waist and shapely figure. Her hair was swept back into a loosely curling bun and chandelier earrings glinted on her ears. “Chloe?” Stephen said, sounding surprised, but Janine stepped forward and said, “Oh no, dear- you’re just in time.” She turned to Stephen and said, “I invited Chloe- I thought we could talk a little bit about the wedding now that some crucial members of the party are here.” She smiled at Alex and Dan, but the two of them were too busy staring at Chloe to have heard her. Dan recovered first and hurried forward, smiling at her as he said, “Let me take your coat.” Chloe smiled gratefully as she handed her coat to him, and then Stephen said, “Welcome, Chloe- we were just about to sit down for dinner.”

  Throughout dinner, Alex tried not to stare at Chloe, but he was unsuccessful. Sometimes though, he caught her looking at him too and it made his heart soar. There were other times though, when he saw Dan and Chloe exchange a look, and that’s when he would feel envy raise its ugly head in the pit of his stomach. He spoke to Janine happily, not showing any signs of his anger towards his little brother. Dan on the other hand, chatted away to both Chloe and Janine, his charming demeanor seemingly effortless. As they finished eating, Stephen proposed a drink or two in the garden, and they all headed outside. Alex lingered back as he waited to walk Chloe out into the garden but before he could, Dan had linked his arm through with hers and was guiding her. In a childish move, Alex called out to his brother and said, “Dan- I heard Dad calling you.” He waited for Dan to gently disentangle his arm from Chloe’s before he quickly darted up to her and gallantly said, “Don’t worry I’ll walk you out.”

  Chloe was caught off guard by the attention she was receiving from these two gorgeous men, and deeply aware of the changes her body would soon go through she decided to make the most out of it while she could. Once they were out in the garden, she looked around at the stunning display of flowers and exotic plants, woven through with fairy lights and a large fountain in the center. Alex poured her a glass of wine, but she suddenly looked very flustered as she said, “Oh no- um, I don’t think I should-” and she let go of Alex’s arm quickly. Alex tried not to look too disappointed as he said, “Oh, just a glass- it won’t do anything.” But Chloe quickly shook her head, feeling herself go redder in the face as she said, “No, thank you- I just don’t drink.”

  Dan, meanwhile, hurried to his father and said, “Dad- you were asking for me?” As soon as his father heard his voice, he jumped and Dan was mortified when he realized that he had just interrupted Stephen and Janine in the middle of a fierce make-out session behind some bushes. He backed away quickly and then balled his fists as he saw Alex and Chloe together in the distance- it dawned on him what had just happened. “Oh Alex you bastard,” he muttered to himself, “Oh man- you’re going to wish you hadn’t done that.” He grabbed a wineglass and poured its contents into his mouth, quickly reaching for another. Shaking his head to clear it, he stormed over to where his brother was, but suddenly, another idea dawned on him and he stopped halfway. He would let his brother have tonight because in the end, it would be Dan who would get everything.

  After dinner was over, Janine and Chloe left together and Stephen retired to his bedroom. Dan walked over to Alex, who was still nursing some wine as he sat on the porch overlooking the garden. “Brother,” Dan called out in a sing-song voice before he sat down heavily in one of the porch chairs. Alex rolled his eyes and said, “You’re drunk, Danny.” Dan grinned and said, “You bet I am.” Alex ignored his brother and took another sip of his wine, settling in deeper into his chair. “Say, Alex- speaking of bets,” Dan started to say, and now curious, Alex turned to his brother and raised an eyebrow as Dan said, “Care to place a little wager?” Alex smirked and said, “This should be good- go on.”

  Dan sat forward in his chair and poured himself some more wine, pouring his brother another glass too even though Alex tried to refuse. “Remember what Dad said- about only one of us inheriting the company?” Alex nodded, taking a sip despite his earlier refusal to do so, and shrugged as he said, “Yeah- so?” Dan grinned and said, “Well- instead of battling it out why don’t we let something else decide for us?” Alex downed his drink and nearly laughed out loud, “You’re insane, brother. Get some sleep- you’ll have a huge hangover in the morning.” Dan shook his head and said, “No, Alex- I’m serious. Let’s play a little game- come on, you love games.”

  Alex got up and said, “You want me to do a coin toss for the future of Bennett Industries?” Dan shook his head and said, “No Alexander, not a coin- a girl.” Alex turned to his brother, looking at him as though he had lost his mind. “A girl?” Dan licked his lips and said, “More specifically, Chloe. I see the way you look at her, you want her because I want her- I know what you did tonight to get some time alone with her, so let’s make it more worthwhile. Whoever can get into Chloe into their bed first- well, they win not only the girl, but the company too. The loser bows out of the race. What do you say, brother?” Alex pictured himself cutting a ribbon in front of his new CEO’s office, with Chloe on his arm, and he grinned, “You’re on.”

  *****

  Chloe got home and slipped out of her dress, letting it fall to the floor as she walked over to the mirror in her bedroom. She stood there, in her underwear and examined her body, turning this way and that. Looking at her smooth, toned stomach, nobody would be able to say that she was pregnant- but for how long? Her cousin Shelly had started to show at three months, but she had seen pictures
of her own mom at six months and barely a bump. Chloe placed her hands on her belly and tried to feel something other than regret. She wanted to grow this baby inside her, and to give birth to it- but what about after that? Would she give the child up for adoption or keep it? Chloe wiped up away the tears that were coming thick and fast, and she smudged eyeliner all over her face in the process.

  She really wished she could drink some alcohol to calm her nerves, but she knew she couldn’t. She reached up behind her and unclasped her bra, letting her breasts bounce out freely from their fabric and underwire prison. They felt sore and swollen, and even though her cleavage had looked great in her dress, the discomfort was worse than she had imagined. She wondered if Alex and Dan would still be interested in her if they knew the truth. Both men were incredibly gorgeous, and each had his own qualities that drew Chloe in, but she knew that with the secret she was growing in her womb, a future with either of them was impossible. Besides, those two were millionaires, who would one day inherit a multi-billion dollar company- and she was just a secretary. Still, she had a cake-tasting with Alex to look forward to tomorrow.

  When she awoke the next day, she waited until ten a.m. because she knew she would start to feel like sick around that time. At exactly ten, like clockwork, she started to feel queasy. She dragged herself off her bed and onto the bathroom floor, where she clutched the toilet and threw up. The porcelain bowl was soon becoming her best friend- she knew that no matter who else stayed in her life for the next year, at least the toilet bowl would always be there for her. After she had thrown up, she brushed her teeth and dressed extra carefully, knowing that Alex would pick her up by noon. Half an hour later, when she walked up to her desk, she saw a giant bouquet of white roses waiting for her there. Taken aback, she slowly walked up to it and examined it, admiring the velvety petals of the flowers before he found the card.