Chapter 160
(JERICHO)
My older brother Sasha sits behind his desk in the study, looking displeased. His eyes glimmer with frustration as he leans on his elbows. He eyes me intimidatingly. If Sasha weren’t my brother, I’d be practically peeing my pants right now. As ruthless as Sasha can be, I know that he would never harm a hair in my head.
“You can’t just spend all day being a lollygag.” He says finally.
“Lollygag?” I laugh. “I don’t think that’s what I do. I just went to the art gallery opening. I just made an appearance for the family. Community relations you may say. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the desire to go anyway p>
“Liar.” Sasha barks. “I know because you told Mother that you couldn’t wait to see the new watercolors.
The fact that Mother has been spilling my secrets again makes heat rush to my cheeks. “Yes, it’s true that I enjoy Jamie Preston’s work. But really, I was planning on staying in last night. I had a headache. I just forced myself to go out to make you happy.” I sigh exaggeratedly. “But of late, nothing seems to make you happy as far as I am concerned p>
“That woe act you’re trying might work with Tyler and Mother, but not me p>
Sasha tends to be so perceptive and it annoys me. I scowl then drop the act. “So now I can’t live my life the way I want? Why p>
“You are twenty-four years old and an Adonis. That’s why. We don’t get to live our lives however we want p>
I snort. “Says the man who runs the entire city p>
“Yes. I do run the city and trust me when I tell you that it is no fun and games.” He leans back into his chair and narrows his eyes. “I don’t just do what I please. Did you forget that I had to take over from father way earlier than planned? Don’t you think that I’d have just enjoyed stall g and doing what I wanted for as long as I wanted p>
“You’re the oldest. My life isn’t the same as yours. You knew since before then that you were to take over after Father. I’m the youngest of the family and I don’t have as much expectations on me as you do p>
“You still have a part to play, Jericho. You are still an integral part of this syndicate. You may not have things to run, but you are a moving part that still needs to be seen and heard. The men must know that. They can’t see you hovering around just being a pretty face p>
“I do plenty for the organization behind the scenes.” I grit my teeth.
“Well, you need to do more.” You need to be out front to show that you are invested in the success of the syndicate. Collecting art and pretending that it is for money laundering purposes won’t cut to the chase with me. That goes for the two trips to Rome that you took this year p>
I grimace inwardly. I always wondered how long it would take him to notice those trips on the expense report. “I was scouting for overseas contacts and other opportunities abroad. That sort of thing is key for expanding the Triple Triads international reach p>
Sasha outright laughs at my comment. “But is there anything that comes out of your travels? You just lie in the sun and drink copious amounts of good wine and eat lots of good food. It always ends at that p>
“But you took Tyler to Scotland. How is that okay?” I sputter.
“Yes, I took him with me to Scotland. I had to meet Steve McLaughlin and McLaughlin Club and Resorts. Tyler and I also enjoyed the trip there, and don’t expect me to apologize for it p>
“I’m not begrudging your trip with Tyler.” I grimace. “I just don’t get why my trips are a waste of time p>
He looks at me disbelievingly. “Jericho, what you don’t seem to realize is that one meeting with McLaughlin got us involved in fantastic money laundering opportunities abroad p>
“But they’re just golf courses. How have they landed us the opportunity?” I wrinkle my brow.
Sasha looks taken aback. “Do you actually not realize that golf courses involve significant cash flow and high operational costs that could gain us so much profit? Not to mention we can exploit the international finance and tax laws to our advantage to minimize tax liabilities on the profits that are earned overseas? Trust me when I tell you that that was a working trip. I did enjoy it though because Tyler was there with me. Yah don’t expect me to feel guilty for making my husband happy while working to expand our empire p>
I feel a little guilt nudging at me because I like Tyler and would never want him to miss on a vacation with Sasha. “I said I don’t begrudge the fact that you two had a nice trip. I just feel like you expect an awful lot from me, Sasha. I’m not as experienced as you are. Brokering isn’t my deal p>
“I know.” He sighs.
“Then why are you pissed off at me taking a few trips to Rome?” I’m laying the guilt on a thick brick here, but really, I don’t want to have to do more work. I like my life as it is. I just like sleeping around with omegas and not have to worry about a lot of work and settling down. That sounds like a lot of work, honestly. Despite what the family wants from me, I don’t think I’m ready to claim an omega yet. I just want to live and travel when I want. I’m young and just sowing my oats. What’s so wrong about that p>
“I’m not disappointed in you, Jericho. All I’m saying is that it is time for you to step up and take on more duties. I need you to get more involved with the Triple Triads business. It is time for you to grow up a bit. You have a good heart and a great personality and so many people love you for that. But you just seem content languishing around the house. You just don’t push yourself to take more responsibility p>
I know that he isn’t entirely wrong and I just can’t bring myself to argue. I hold his gaze, trying to stifle the guilt that I very well know that I feel deep down. It is true that I don’t pull my weight. But I have gotten away with it for far too long, and I don’t desire for the fun to end anytime soon. Sasha gets up and comes round the desk then perches at the corner. I meet his gaze, my chin lifted stubbornly as I wait for the looming lecture that I know is coming.
“We also need to address your issue about the lack of interest in claiming an omega. “He speaks in a strained voice because he probably knows that I will surely balk at this turn that the conversation has taken. “I know that you don’t want to address this, Jericho. But it is becoming a real problem p>
“I have plenty of interest in omegas, Sasha.” I smirk.
“I mean serious interest. It is time you thought about claiming an omega p>