I've been up for hours, sitting in the kitchen, waiting for Archer to wake up. I have a meeting at nine and I want to have a conversation with my brother before the chaos begins.

Archer makes his way into the kitchen, a look of surprise crossing his face when he sees me. "Ares? What are you doing up so early?" he asks, his voice groggy from sleep.

"I wanted to talk to you," I say, motioning for him to sit.

Archer takes a seat at the table, his brow furrowed in concern. "Is everything okay?"

"Not really," I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"What's wrong?" Archer asks, his tone serious.

"Do you know a man named Robert Williams?" I say, getting straight to the point.

The fleeting look of panic on Archer's face is all the confirmation I need. My heart sinks as the pieces fall into place—the missing money, the fact that Robert was willing to talk to Mr. Bradshaw, but hung up on me, it's all coming together.

"I take it you do," I say, a cold anger beginning to bubble beneath the surface.

Archer shifts, visibly uncomfortable, his guilt written all over his face. "It's not what you think," he stammers, but his words do little to quell the rising tide of betrayal I feel.

"Really? Because it seems like you had something to do with the money missing from my company," I say, my voice tight with frustration. The thought of my own brother betraying me is a blow I never saw coming.

"I can explain," Archer insists, his tone pleading.

I lean back, arms crossed. "Please, enlighten me," I challenge, gesturing for him to continue.

"It's complicated," he starts, avoiding my gaze, the shame in his eyes almost enough to make me falter. Almost.

"Complicated or not, I'd like an explanation."

"Fine," Archer sighs, running a hand through his hair. "My company's been in the red for years. I tried everything to turn it around, but nothing worked. We were hemorrhaging money. So, I... I borrowed money from you. It's not like you would miss it. You have more money than you know what to do with."

The word 'borrowed' hangs between us, a flimsy guise for what is clearly theft. My blood boils at the thought. "Borrowed? By stealing from your own brother? From your family?"

He looks at me, eyes filled with a remorse that does little to stem my growing fury. "I was desperate, Ares. I didn't know what else to do."

"And you didn't think to ask me for help? You chose to go behind my back instead?" The betrayal cuts deeper than any knife could, the pain of his deceit raw and unyielding.

"I was embarrassed," he admits.

"Embarrassed? I don't give a fuck if you're embarrassed. You think your pride is worth more than our trust, our bond?" I can't hide the scorn in my voice, nor do I want to.

My stomach churns at the thought that he didn't think he could come to me. He knows I would have helped him.

"I know, I know. It was a mistake," he says, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"A mistake? A fucking mistake?" I yell, my anger reaching a boiling point. "I trusted you, and you betrayed me! Not only did you betray me, but you stole from me! You fucking lied to my face!"

"I'm sorry," Archer pleads, his eyes filled with remorse. "I never meant for it to go this far. The company needed money, and then there was the wedding."

The sound of footsteps pauses our conversation. Julie walks into the kitchen, her eyes wide with concern.

"What's going on?" she asks, her voice shaky.

I hadn't realized how loud we were being. Does Julie even know? Has she been complicit in this?

"Tell her," I press, fixing my gaze on Archer with an intensity that feels like it could bore holes through steel. My heart pounds against my ribcage, a relentless drum echoing my demand for truth.

"It's not as simple as you think," Archer argues, his jaw clenched in frustration.

At least now I know I wasn't the only one being left in the dark. He hasn'ttold Julie either. She needs to know who she's married.

"I think it's pretty fucking simple. Tell her."

"Fine," Archer huffs, his eyes narrowing at me.

When he doesn't immediately speak, I push him once again. I don't have time for this.

"Tell her!" I bellow, my voice echoing off the walls.

Archer hesitates for a moment, his eyes shifting between me and Julie. "I've been having financial problems," he finally admits, his voice low and defeated.

"What do you mean?" Julie asks, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"My company hasn't been doing well. We've been losing money, and we couldn't pay the employees. I had no choice but to lay people off. The company was in trouble. I borrowed money from Ares's company," he explains, his eyes full of pain.

"Stole. He stole, he didn't borrow. And now he owes me hundreds of thousands of dollars. If I report this, he will be facing potential prison time."

"Prison? For what?" Julie gasps, her eyes wide with shock.

"Theft. Fraud. Embezzlement," I spit out, my voice dripping with contempt.

"Archer, is that true?" Julie asks, her eyes filling with tears.

"Yes," he says, his head dropping. "I'm so sorry, Julie. I never meant for any of this to happen."

Julie turns to me. "You wouldn't really let your brother go to prison for this, would you? You're his family. Surely you can work something out."

"This isn't something I can just sweep under the rug," I say, my tone firm. "He's stolen a lot of money from me, Julie. Money that hasn't gone unnoticed by my partners."

"Partners?" she questions, her eyes narrowing.

"Yes. The company is not mine, Julie. I have a group of investors who have a say in the operations."

"What are you saying, Ares?" Archer asks, his voice barely a whisper.

"I'm saying that you have to pay the money now for me to be able to sweep it under the rug," I grit out, anger burning in my veins. "I have a meeting in a little over an hour to talk with my partners anout what I've found out."

Julie's eyes widen, a look of horror flashing across her face.

"I don't have that kind of money," Archer chokes out, his face ashen. "Even with the money I've borrowed, my company is barely staying afloat. If I had the money, don't you think I would have paid you already?"

"It doesn't matter. You stole the money. You have to pay it back."

"And how the hell am I supposed to do that?" he spits out, his eyes burning with anger.

I get that he's angry, but he's done this to himself.

"Figure it out," I snarl, my voice cold and unyielding.

"How much is it exactly?" Julie asks.

I tell her a number close to what I remember from the ledger.

"Are you fucking serious?" Julie gasps, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"I'm afraid so," I say, my voice laced with frustration.

We are all silent for a while, processing everything that is going on.

"I'll pay it," Julie says. "If I sell the house, take the money out of all of my accounts, including the remaider of Emma's college fund and trust, I should be able to pay it. Maybe not all, but most."

I'm sorry, what the fuck did she just say? She's going to take Emma's money to pay Archer's debt? There's no fucking way I'm letting that happen.

Archer shakes his head. "I can't ask you to do that, Julie."

"You're not asking, I'm offering," Julie insists, her voice determined.

"No," I growl, my jaw clenched. "Absolutely not. That is your daughter's money. It is the money you are to use for her. Not Archer's."

"I can't let my husband go to prison, Ares," Julie says, her eyes pleading. "She's almost done with school already, and I'm sure she can ask her father for money for after graduation. And I know she has some saved up from her little freelance jobs she does."

"That's not the point," I grit out, my anger rising.

"The point is, we need to pay you back," Archer interjects, his voice firm.

"Fine," I concede, my mind reeling. "But, not her money."

"What other option do we have?" Julie asks, her tone frustrated.

"We could take out a loan," Archer suggests, his expression hopeful.

I glance at the clock realizing it's almost time for my meeting.

"I have to go, I'll let you two discuss that option." I get up and head to my room. I set my laptop up and prepare for the meeting.

Once everything is ready, I call into the meeting. I tell them that I have a very strong lead and I should be wrapping things up in the next couple of days. They ask for details, but I am not willing to share. Archer has not only brought shame on himself but on me as well. How would the partners react if they found out that it was my own brother?

"Well, keep us updated," Charles says.

"Of course," I reply, trying not to roll my eyes.

With that, the meeting ends. I'm glad it's over, but I know there is a long road ahead of me.

A knock on the door draws me out of my thoughts. I get up and open the door, expecting Julie, but it's Emma.

"Hey," I say, surprised to see her. "I didn't know you were home yet."

"Yeah, we just got back," she replies, a smile tugging at her lips. "I passed my mom and Archer on my way in. They were going somewhere."

"Does that mean we are alone?"

"It does," she replies, her tone coy. She steps into my room, shutting the door behind her.

"Perfect," I murmur, pulling her into my arms.

The scent of her shampoo fills my nose as I bury my face in her hair. Her body feels perfect pressed against mine, and I can't help but let out a groan.

"Did you miss me?" she asks, her voice muffled against my chest.

"More than you know," I admit, the ache of her absence a dull pain in my chest.

I pull back and cradle her face in my hands, looking into her eyes.

"I've missed you too," she murmurs, her cheeks flushed.

Her lips part, and I can't resist the temptation any longer. I capture her lips in a searing kiss, pouring every ounce of my desire and longing into it. She tastes so sweet, her lips are so soft.

Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me closer as her tongue tangles with mine. A growl rumbles deep in my throat, and I tighten my grip on her, my hands roaming over her body. I need her naked. I need to feel her skin against mine. I need to be inside of her.

"Emma," I pant, breaking the kiss, my cock straining against my pants. "I need you."

"I'm yours," she breathes, her eyes filled with desire.

I scoop her up and carry her over to the bed, laying her down. My hands slide up her legs, pushing her skirt up to reveal her pink panties. Fuck. I'm so hard, I could cum just from looking at her.

"So beautiful," I murmur, my fingers brushing against her already damp panties.

She moans, arching her back, her hips bucking against my hand.

"Let me see that perfect pussy," I growl, needing to see her glistening folds.

She obliges, lifting her hips so I can slide her panties down her thighs. She kicks them off and spreads her legs, her pussy on full display.

"Fuck, baby," I groan, the sight of her wetness almost enough to make me explode.

My hands move to her shirt, deftly undoing the buttons. I peel it open, revealing her perfect breasts. Her nipples are hard, begging to be sucked.

"Do you like what you see?" she purrs, her eyes filled with lust.

"Fuck yes," I growl, my cock twitching in my pants. "I can't wait to fuck that tight pussy."

I push her skirt up higher, exposing her swollen clit. My thumb circles her sensitive nub, as I bend down to take a nipple into my mouth.

"Oh, God," she cries out, her body pressing into me.

I love the way she reacts to me. I love the sounds she makes for me and the way her body moves under my touch.

My free hand reaches up to squeeze her other breast, eliciting another moan.

"Tell me how badly you want me, baby," I demand, my voice thick with arousal.

"So bad," she whimpers, her body trembling. "Please, Ares."

I chuckle, the sound low and sexy. "Begging already, huh?"

"Yes," she gasps, her body arching against me.

"Good girl," I growl, my fingers circling her clit. "I love it when you beg."

She moans, her body writhing beneath me.

"God, you're so fucking sexy," I groan, my cock throbbing. I step back, quickly undoing my pants and fisting my erection.

Her eyes widen as she takes in the sight of me, her pupils dilated with desire.

"Come here," I growl.

She obeys, crawling towards me, her eyes locked on my cock.

"Open that pretty little mouth of yours," I command, my voice thick with lust.

She parts her lips, her tongue darting out to lick the head of my cock.

"Fuck," I groan, the sensation almost too much.

She takes the tip into her mouth, swirling her tongue around the head before taking more of me into her mouth.

"God, yes," I groan, my fingers threading through her hair.

She sucks and licks, her head bobbing up and down.

"Look at me," I growl, needing to see those gorgeous eyes.

She looks up, her eyes burning with desire. The sight is almost enough to make me come undone.

"I'm gonna fuck that mouth now, babygirl," I warn, my cock twitching in her mouth.

Her eyes widen, but she doesn't protest. I thrust into her mouth, the warm wetness of her mouth feeling like heaven.

"Fuck, yeah," I growl, gripping her hair tightly.

I move faster, the head of my cock hitting the back of her throat.

"Fuck, your mouth feels so good," I groan, the sensation almost too much. I'm going to come soon. "Are you going to be a good girl and swallow?"

She moans around my cock, the vibration sending a shiver down my spine. My balls tighten, and I can feel myself about to lose control.

"That's a good girl," I growl, gripping her hair tighter.

With a few more thrusts, I explode, my cum spilling down her throat.

"Fuck," I groan, my body shuddering with pleasure.

She swallows every last bit.

"Such a good girl," I praise, the words tumbling out of me. "You love being a good girl for me, don't you, babygirl?"

"Yes," she moans, the word barely a whisper.

I release her hair, allowing her to pull away.

"Lay back," I command, my voice firm.

She lays back, her eyes full of lust.

"Spread your legs for me," I growl, kneeling between her thighs.

She obeys, opening herself up to me.

"Fuck, baby," I groan, the sight almost too much.

I lean down, dragging my tongue along her slick folds.

"Oh, God," she gasps, her back arching off the bed.

"You taste so fucking good," I growl, licking and sucking her sensitive clit.

"Please, Ares," she whimpers, her body writhing beneath me.

I continue devouring her, drinking in her sweetness.

"I'm gonna come," she cries out, her body trembling.

"Do it," I command, the words a muffled growl against her dripping pussy.

With a loud moan, she explodes, her juices flooding my mouth.

"Fuck," I groan, lapping up her release.

I pull back, kneeling between her legs.

"I need to be inside you," I growl, gripping my cock.

"Please," she begs, her eyes full of need.

I position the head of my cock at her entrance and push inside, groaning as her tight warmth envelops me.

"God, yes," I grunt, sliding deeper.

She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me closer.

"Fuck," I growl, bottoming out inside of her.

I pull back, thrusting into her, my pace slow and deliberate. I want to make this last. I need to make this last.

"God, yes," she moans, her fingers digging into my back.

"You feel so fucking good," I grunt, driving deeper. "Open your eyes and watch me fuck you."

She opens her eyes, locking her gaze with mine.

"You like watching me fuck you?" I growl, my cock throbbing inside her.

"Yes," she cries, her hips bucking against me.

"That's it," I encourage, thrusting harder.

She writhes beneath me, her body responding to every stroke.

"Look at how good you take me. Look at how greedy that pussy is," I groan, the words pouring out of me.

"Fuck," she gasps, her back arching.

"You love taking my cock, don't you, baby?"

"Yes," she moans, her nails digging into my back.

"Come on my cock, baby. Come all over me," I demand, my voice husky. "I want to feel that tight pussy squeeze my cock."

"Oh, God," she cries, her body convulsing as her orgasm rips through her.

The sensation is too much. My cock throbs, and I explode, erupting inside of her.

"Fuck," I grunt, my body shuddering with pleasure. My movements are jerky as I send rope after rope of hot cum into her. I will never get tired of fucking Emma raw, of filling her with my cum. I've never had much of a breeding kink, but there's just something about having her dripping with my cum that does it for me.

"So good," I murmur, my body collapsing on top of her.

I bury my face in her neck, breathing in her scent. She smells so sweet and sexy. I could stay like this forever.

"That was amazing," she pants, her body still trembling from her orgasm.

"You're amazing," I correct, planting a soft kiss on her neck.