“Maybe we can have lunch or dinner?” the older man asked, hope in his eyes.
Ian shook his head. “Like I said, I’ve got meetings.”
Shadows crossed his father’s face, and Ian did his best not to feel guilty.
“Fine, but I’ll keep trying, you know.”
Ian straightened his shoulders. “It’s too late for that too.” He turned away and stepped toward the restaurant entrance when he heard his name being called and turned.
This time it was Alex rushing to catch up to him.
His father hadn’t left, and he greeted his other son, not bothering to excuse himself as Alex strode up to Ian.
“You’re such a selfish prick,” Alex said, getting into his face. “Would it have killed you to return her phone calls and see what she had to say?”
Ian immediately knew he was talking about Riley. “You’re the one who made it clear she should have nothing to do with me, so what’s up your ass now?”
“She left you a message, right? Said she had something important to discuss? And you couldn’t be bothered to call?” Alex asked, jaw held tight.
In that instant, Ian saw shades of his father in Alex’s younger face. It had been awhile since the blood connection between them had hit him so strongly. And damn but it hurt.
“Would one of you tell me what the hell is going on?” Robert asked, interrupting them.
Alex straightened his shoulders. “Riley called him this week. She needed a favor and asked him to call her back. He didn’t.”
“I was busy,” Ian said, suddenly feeling a combination of guilt and overriding concern. “It’s draft week, not that I owe you an explanation. Besides, you made it clear I should back off.” Ian wasn’t above sharing the blame when warranted.
Alex ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in the bulging muscles in his neck. “She’s my best friend. Has been since we were kids.”
“What did she need from me?” Ian asked, ignoring any reference to how close Riley and Alex were. Even if it was friendship, it had come between Ian and the woman he wanted. He found it difficult to contain his jealousy.
Alex paused, looking torn, before he said, “It’s not my story to tell, and besides, it’s too late anyway.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Ian asked.
“Is Riley okay?” Robert demanded. “I care about that girl like a daughter.”
“As if you don’t have enough of those,” Ian muttered.
His father’s face blanched, his skin color leaching out. “She practically lived in our house growing up. If something’s wrong, I want to know.”
“You know Riley. She’s always okay or pretends to be,” Alex said. “She’s independent and proud and you know it. You also know why. It took enough for her to call him.” Alex jerked a finger at Ian.
“But if one of us can help—” Robert said, only to be cut off by the abrupt swinging of Alex’s hand.
“Let her handle her own shit. I’ve learned it’s the only way to keep her in my life.”
Alex turned back to Ian. “I came here because I was furious, and you deserved to know you f**ked up. But it’s too late now. There’s nothing anyone can do.”
There were so many questions raised by Alex’s statement Ian didn’t know where to begin. From her always pretending to be okay, to her being proud and independent, Alex and their father were privy to why. Ian wasn’t.
But he wanted to know. Needed to understand her even if it meant digging deeper than she’d be comfortable with. He was also smart enough not to ask questions his half brother wouldn’t answer.
“Give me her number,” Ian said. “The least I can do is apologize.”
Alex scowled at him. “Go to hell. She doesn’t need your help anymore. And she sure as hell doesn’t need to be another one of your conquests.”
“Hey.” Ian grabbed his shoulder.
Alex shrugged him away. “Back off.”
“Just give me her damned number.”
“Not happening, and don’t think you can look her up in the phone book. She’s unlisted.”
With that, he stormed off, leaving Ian where he’d started, about to walk away from his father.
Before he could take leave, his father placed a hand on Ian’s shoulder, surprising him and causing an old memory to surface. Robert, getting ready to leave for a business trip, wearing a suit, and placing his hand on ten-year-old Ian’s shoulder. “Take care of your mother and siblings, son.”
At the time, Ian had been puffed up and proud his father trusted him with the job. Looking back, the request was as much of an illusion as his childhood had been. No ten-year-old could possibly take on that responsibility. It was just something a parent said to make his kid feel important. But the reality was, that had been Ian’s job for way too long.
He stood stiffly, refusing to give his father the satisfaction of shoving him away, and waited for him to finish.
“You all don’t have to pay for my sins, son. You could get to know each other. You could be brothers.”
His suit jacket suddenly too tight, Ian broke into an uncomfortable sweat. “What part of that conversation indicated either of us wants that?”
“You’re both men with huge egos. Neither of you is willing to bend first. But you’re the oldest. Maybe you won’t give me a second chance, but you should give your other siblings a first one. You’re all family.”
Though he hated giving his father a glimpse into his feelings, Ian raised a hand to his throbbing temple. “Isn’t it enough I take care of my brothers, sisters, and mother after you couldn’t be bothered? I’m there for them.”
“If you ever need me…” His father trailed off as Ian turned to go.
Suddenly, he realized his father had something Ian wanted…or if he didn’t have it, he had access. He turned back to the older man. “You can do something for me.”
“What is it?” Robert asked, hope in his voice.
“I need to get in touch with Riley. Phone number, address, something. Can you get me that?”
Disappointment flooded Robert’s face before he schooled his expression. “I’ll give you her number if you do something for me in return.”
The calculating son of a bitch, Ian thought. “What is it?” he bit out.
“Reach out to Sienna and the boys. Invite them to lunch or dinner.” Robert eyed him speculatively, clearly eager to see what he’d do.