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Home sweet home, she said to herself, looking around the sparsely furnished apartment. She
had a couch and a bed, along with a few bare essentials, but she needed to shop for the rest of what
she needed. She d rented the apartment a few days ago and Devi s family had helped her move the
few things she had purchased into the apartment. Now, it was time to make it a home for herself.
She propped her suitcase against the couch and studied the bare, white walls. One of the first
things she needed was paint. She was Indian, and she needed color. She d paint over the decorations
before she left someday so she didn t annoy the landlord, but the walls were depressing.
I have jobs starting the day after tomorrow. Time to get to work.
She took her bag to her bedroom, opening it to find the computer that Kade had given her on the
very top. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she felt the enormous waves of loneliness that threatened to
crush her.
Do this for him. Don t let his kindness be for nothing.
Succeed! Succeed! Succeed!
In that moment, Asha found a new mantra, and she was determined to keep it.
You did an incredible job with Holderman, Travis commented casually as he plopped into the
chair in front of Kade s desk in his office at Harrison. A hell of a lot better than I could have
managed.
Kade shrugged. He s an ass, but we want the acquisition.
I m not sure I would have pursued it. The company would have lost money because I don t have
the patience to deal with him, Travis replied, straightening his tie, obviously wanting to say
something, but looking like he was reluctant or unable to say it.
So you needed me, Kade said jokingly. More seriously, he added, It was no big deal. I ve had
to deal with a lot of assholes in my life. I ve learned not to let them get to me. Winning the game is
more important.
I m glad you re here, Kade. I just wanted you to know that, Travis grumbled, looking a little
uncomfortable. You have strengths that I don t, and we complement each other.
Kade looked at his twin in surprise. Who are you and what have you done with my brother? The
comment was so unlike Travis that Kade wasn t quite sure he d heard Travis properly. His twin
didn t admit to having any weaknesses.
I m just stating a fact. Harrison is better for having you here. Travis shifted in his chair,
straightening his already perfect tie. I just wish you d rethink your shirts and ties.
Kade barked out a laugh. That comment was more like Travis, but he was touched that Travis
wanted him here. I thought you had everything under control. I never felt like you needed me.
I don t, Travis said defensively. If you want to do something else with your life, you can feel
free to leave Harrison to me.
Kade studied Travis, trying to read him, but it was almost impossible. Luckily, they were twins,
and Kade sensed certain things about his brother. Right now, Travis was trying to set him free to do
whatever he wanted to do because his elder brother had always taken up all the responsibilities at
Harrison, allowing the rest of the siblings to pursue their dreams. Kade had never thought about the
sacrifices Travis had made for his family, but now he asked, Do you like being here? Do you like
running Harrison? You could have been a hell of a race car driver if you d stayed with that. But you
couldn t, could you? You were the only one left to run the company. Kade s gut twisted with guilt.
You were the only one who never felt free to do what you wanted. You were trapped here because
Mia was pursuing her art and I was playing football. Kade had never thought about the unfairness of
that fact until now. He d always just assumed that Travis was exactly where he wanted to be.
It was fair, Travis rumbled. I wasn t deprived. I was doing exactly what I wanted. I like
racing, but it s a hobby. I never felt the driving need to do it professionally. I wanted to be here. So
don t try to make me out to be some type of hero. I love this company and the way it challenges me.
You like the way it takes up all your time and helps you forget. Kade knew that Travis buried
himself in his work. But he was relieved that he hadn t had a burning desire to do something else. I
want to be here, Travis. I just felt like you didn t need me here because you had it all handled, had it
all together.
I do, Travis drawled arrogantly. But I could use your help.
Kade stifled a chuckle, knowing that he wasn t going to get any more than that admission from
Travis. But it was good enough for him. Admittedly, he felt needed here. Slowly, the duties that were
weaknesses for Travis had been passed to him, and he found that he truly did excel at the things that
Travis didn t. The employees were starting to look to him for guidance in those areas, and he was
starting to feel like the captain of his own football team. I m here. And I m not going anywhere.
Good, Travis answered briskly, standing and brushing imaginary wrinkles from his suit.
But I m not changing the way I dress unless it s for a necessary function that requires I be
boring, Kade warned him, trying to keep the laughter from his voice.
Agreed, Travis replied reluctantly. Stopping with his hand on the doorknob and his back to
Kade, he paused. You know, sometimes it scares the hell out of me, but I m actually starting to look
forward to seeing your fluffy bunny shirts and dancing banana ties every day.
Well, damn, Kade said under his breath. I guess he did miss me. His brother s comment was
the closest thing he d ever heard to a confession that he wanted to be closer to Kade, see him more
often.
Travis moved to leave, but turned around again. Incidentally, we ve uncovered some not-so-
legal business practices of Asha s ex-husband. He employs Indian students illegally and works them
like dogs. Pays them almost nothing, but they re desperate so they do it. Since they aren t supposed to
be working here on a student visa, they keep their mouths shut about it. Rumor has it that the women
get the worst of it, but they can t report him when he mistreats them or assaults them because they re
afraid they ll be in trouble for working illegally.
Bastard, Kade spat out with disgust.
He ll get what s coming to him, Kade. Be patient. This will help more people than just Asha,
Travis said cautiously, drilling Kade with an intense stare.
Kade shook his head, trying to push down on the anger he felt every time he imagined someone
hurting Asha. But now that he knew the asshole was hurting others, he knew he had to find a way to
control himself. After all, Asha was safe. I ll wait, he answered in a clipped voice.
Travis s phone started blasting an upbeat music ringtone, and he yanked the phone from his
pocket, glaring at it like it was his worst enemy. Goddamn it! How the hell did she get my phone this
time?
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