“Oh my God, you have no idea.” I stand up and leave the room, pulling out my phone as I do.

When I step into the hall I almost bump into the nanny, who is ushering the children out. “Button your coats, it’s cold outside,” she says cheerily before turning to me and whispering under her breath, “Can you believe this shit?”

I shake my head and make a face that makes her smile as she walks out.

I glance toward the office, where there’s a soft glow. I look down at my phone, take a deep breath, and text Lander.

Your sister-in-law may be on the verge of drinking herself to death and your brother’s all for it. If that bothers you, you might want to get over here.

I throw the phone back into my handbag. I’m not even interested in seeing his response. I’m so insanely pissed at myself right now. How could I be so . . . so empathetic? And now I’m turning to Lander for help? I shouldn’t be turning to Lander for anything! What is wrong with me?

I stride into Travis’s office and throw myself down onto the chair across from the love seat where he sits.

“What’s wrong with you?” he asks.

“Nothing, everything’s just great. Here.” I pull Lander’s phone records out of my bag and hand them over to him. “I don’t know if they’re worth anything, but now you have them.”

“So I do,” he says as he scans the documents. “Now, why don’t you tell me why Lander wanted to know if I was acquainted with someone named Talebi.”

“I did tell you, he wants—”

“To be a managing director?” Travis says with a raise of his eyebrow. “My brother isn’t stupid. If he wants to get ahead at HGVB he doesn’t need to knock me out of the way to do it. He’s good at his job and he’s a Gable. Our family is literally the G in HGVB. There is more family nepotism in this particular financial institution than any other I know of. If he continues to do his job well he’ll be promoted soon enough, as will I, and eventually we’ll reign together. He may not stay in the investment banking division but he’ll have power, money, and prestige, which is what everyone wants in this business. So let’s try this again, shall we? Why does Lander want to know about Talebi and what does he want to know about him? Or better yet, why are you lying to me?”

“I’m not—I’m not—”

Travis holds up his hand to stop me. “There are men who find stammering, weak women to be cute. I don’t. So take a moment and get yourself together and answer my question with more efficiency.”