Ensnared (The Accidental Billionaires #1)(58)

My twin and I had the same kind of connection that I knew Eli had experienced with his brother.

“He’s gone through a lot, Brooke. I can’t tell you everything, but he went through something terrible. So maybe he is running away. I know he cared about me.”

“I know he did, too,” she agreed. “Look, maybe you should talk to him. It was pretty damn clear that he really cared about you, Jade. And I wouldn’t ever get your hopes up if I didn’t believe it.”

“I think Eli and I are actually a lot alike,” I mused. “I found out he was a science geek, too. He has a PhD in aerospace engineering, Brooke. He went to Caltech.”

“Holy crap!” she exclaimed. “Do you have any idea how selective they are?”

“I know. And his money didn’t get him in there. He’s probably smarter than I am.”

“But I don’t understand why he isn’t working in the field,” Brooke commented.

“His dad’s death was unexpected,” I explained, trying not to lie to my sister. “He took over after his father passed away.”

“Is he okay with that?”

I thought about her question before I answered. “I’m not sure. But he does have his own aerospace lab, so it isn’t like he isn’t still involved in rocketry.”

“Talk to him, Jade.”

I paused before I said, “He did offer to make me his unofficial intern so I could learn about conglomerates and investing.”

“Perfect,” she said happily.

“And I suppose it’s time for a makeover,” I added. “And a whole new wardrobe.”

“Don’t change who you are for him, Jade,” she cautioned.

“I’m not a student anymore, Brooke. I have a PhD. If I’m eventually going to get into any kind of management or professional career, I’m going to have to learn how to dress the part.”

“If you want that, then do it. You’re right. I had to dress up to work in the bank every day. I didn’t love it at first, but I kind of miss it now.”

“Maybe because you have a lot more funds to buy new clothes these days,” I teased. “Did you decide what you’re going to do in Amesport?”

I knew damn well my sister would never be happy not working.

“I can’t go back to a bank,” she shared. “The memories are too painful. But I’m starting to look at my other options.”

“You’ll be outstanding no matter what you decide to do,” I told her. “And you’re not exactly hard up for funds. You can take your time.”

Brooke had been through enough emotional trauma.

“Liam keeps me busy,” she joked. “And it’s kind of fun to do analysis on possible investments. That might be where I end up someday.”

Brooke was happy whenever she was knee-deep in numbers. “Then maybe you can manage my money, too,” I said hopefully.

“I’m entirely certain you can do that yourself,” she answered confidently. “Especially when you’ll be learning from Eli. He really has an uncanny ability to see the big picture on his investments. He’s taken over some corporations that should have been impossible to recover. But he manages to turn them into profit monsters after he changes the direction of the company.”

“Showing up at his office won’t be easy,” I mumbled.

“You’re the gutsiest person I know,” Brooke replied. “And you’re brilliant. But you’ve spent most of your adult life in school and studying. You just haven’t really had a chance to function in the business world yet. But I have no doubt you’ll do fantastic.”

“I’m still applying for a lot of positions,” I told her. “But I still have no idea where I’ll end up.”

“I know you want to do long-term research. And you’re plenty qualified.”

“I’m more than willing to start in an entry position,” I explained. “But I really want to be a permanent part of a team. There’s so much happening in genetic conservation now, and most of the groundbreaking stuff is going to take decades to build on.”

“Are you applying for anything on the East Coast?” she asked hopefully.

“I’m pretty much applying for positions without consideration to geography. I can live anywhere.”

“Fingers crossed for something closer to me,” Brooke teased.

“I’ll keep you posted,” I replied.

“First things first,” she said. “Go find a dynamite business wardrobe that has a little bit of sexy. I can’t wait to see you turn Eli inside out.”

I was fairly certain that Eli Stone was already tormented, and it had nothing to do with me, but I didn’t mention it.

We chatted for a few more minutes about the family, and then we hung up.

I was on the computer moments later trying to figure out who I could hire to make a science geek into a professional.

Turns out, it wasn’t all that hard.





CHAPTER 26

ELI



Don’t want to see you.

Don’t want you here with me.

Better off being alone.

I stared at my text messages for the hundredth time in the last hour, and wondered what in the fuck I’d been thinking.