Chapter 4We Grew Up Side By Side

I didn't go to London because of his romantic pitch. I went because he asked, "Are you planning to take over your family's firm after graduation? I have negotiations in London. Want to sit in and watch?"

Declan's reputation in the business world was legendary. Like anyone with half a brain, I idolized his work ethic.

It was basic ambition. I wanted to see a master at work.

So, even knowing he had essentially offered himself up as my new fiancé, I boarded his private jet.

For two weeks in London, he kept me by his side. There was absolutely nothing inappropriate between us. He treated me like a protege, guiding me through the brutal realities of corporate takeovers. I watched him dismantle CEOs with a calm, terrifying grace.

If we took emotions out of the equation, choosing Declan was a thousand times better than choosing Michael.

The ROI was astronomical.

"But, Declan, Michael is your nephew."

It was my last night in London. We were sitting in a dimly lit, velvet-lined speakeasy tucked inside our hotel. Soft jazz drifted through the air, the yellow ambient light wrapping around us in a warm, intimate haze.

Declan didn't even blink. Those deep, unreadable eyes held mine over the rim of his scotch glass.

"Yes. He played a foolish game. Marry me, become his aunt, and you can boss him around at family dinners for the rest of his life."

"..."

Become Michael's aunt?

I had to admit, the level of petty revenge in that statement was deeply appealing. But I had my own life to map out. Michael broke my heart, but I refused to let him dictate my future.

"I have one more question."

"You can ask as many as you want," Declan replied. "And you don't have to keep a formal distance. Just use my name."

Since I was a toddler, I had lumped him in with the adults. Michael called him uncle, so I did too.

But now, as the energy between us shifted into something dark and charged, using his first name felt dangerously taboo.

"What exactly..." I hesitated, searching for the words. "How do you view me?"

"Are you asking if this is a business acquisition for me, or something else?" he countered.

Before I could stutter out a response, he leaned forward. "Sharon, five years is nothing. Besides Michael, you and I grew up together too, didn't we?"

I froze.

"When you started kindergarten, you were always running over to our estate. The adults were busy. You and Michael followed me around like ducklings. Do you remember?" His voice was a low rumble.

The memories flashed in my mind. Kids always want to play with the older kids. We used to shadow him everywhere.

But as he grew up, he was swallowed by boarding schools, university, and eventually the boardroom. The gap widened until he was a god and we were just kids.

"When you two graduated high school, my brother and sister-in-law were thrilled. They wanted to lock down the engagement. You two were practically joined at the hip," Declan said, his tone sharpening. "But Sharon, he walked away. Even if I am technically his elder, pursuing a brilliant, single woman is hardly a crime."

Declan brought me back to the States. For the entire half-month in London, he never crossed a line.

That Christmas, Michael and his parents were too embarrassed to attend our family's holiday gala because of the girlfriend drama. The Prescott family sent Declan in their place.

The house was packed with guests. No one noticed when Declan slipped into my bedroom, closed the door behind him, and asked, "Sharon, have you made your decision?"