“You think so?” His brother Brandon’s voice came through loud and clear over the car’s state-of-the-art sound system. “I’ll be sure to remind you of that after you’ve said your wedding vows and promised to live happily ever after with the girl of Mom’s dreams.”

“You need to chill out,” Adam said. He shifted into Park and grabbed his briefcase before stepping out of his car.

“Hey, it’s your funeral,” Brandon groused. “Or wedding. Whatever. Just don’t be surprised when you find yourself on a honeymoon with some woman who was planted right under your nose by our diabolically clever mother.”

Adam laughed as he took a moment to straighten his tie before strolling inside. The ultramodern office building he owned with his brothers, Cameron and Brandon, was the headquarters of Duke Development International. “I think I’m safe,” Adam said. “The chances of Mom sneaking anything past me while I’m working twenty-two hours a day on this closing are pretty slim.”

His brother, Cameron, also in on the three-way conference call, spoke for the first time. “Despite Brandon’s typical overkill, you know Mom. She’s relentless. She thinks we should all be married and now she’s playing hardball. That means she’ll try every devious trick in the book to make it happen.”

“Right, that’s all I’m saying,” Brandon said, apparently relieved that at least one of his brothers was getting the message.

“Okay,” Cameron said. “Might be a good idea to stay alert for the time being.”

“Yeah, be alert for the skirt,” Brandon said, then added with a snicker, “or you could get hurt.”

The brothers shared a laugh at Brandon’s pitiful attempt at poetry.

“Look, I’ll see you guys later,” Adam said. “We can finish this conversation then.”

Still chuckling, Adam disconnected the call and waved to the DDI security guard who stood at attention next to the wide, polished marble registration desk in the lavishly appointed lobby. He stepped inside an empty elevator car and ascended alone to the penthouse floor.