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be deceitful.” He finally turned toward Anthony. “I’m your brother. I thought you knew me better than that.”
    “You’re also the managing partner of TF.”
    Justin’s eyes widened. He crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s what this is about?” He shook his head. “My being your boss? I thought you were angry because of Max, and my marriage to Aubrey.” He lifted an eyebrow. “You’re angry because you’re not in charge.”
    “Angry isn’t the correct word.” Anthony settled into his desk chair. He turned on his computer. He’d grown cold working in his older brother’s shadow. Grown tired of being the little brother who had to ask for permission before he made any kind of business decisions. “Did we ever vote about you being in charge? I can’t remember. Or was it just like when we were kids? You were automatically the boss because you’re the oldest?”
    “In case you forgot, I started TF before you even went to college. I hired you when you finished grad school.”
    “Right,” Anthony nodded. Yes, definitely time for him to move on and start his own company. He was finished living under the command of his brother.
    “I’m here for two reasons,” Justin said. He angled toward the chair across from Anthony’s desk and clutched the seatback with both hands. “This is my first Christmas with Aubrey and Max, and it’s an important Christmas for us. Aubrey would like us to all be together for Christmas Eve at Mrs. Bello’s, but I wasn’t certain if you’d be willing—”
    “Your wife was unsure if I wanted to spend the holidays with my family? That’s rich, seeing as she’s only been a Travati for a couple of months.”
    Justin’s jaw tensed. “It wasn’t Aubrey who was unsure. I was, for this very reason. Because of your strident feelings with regards to my family, because of this anger you seem to have toward my wife and son, who is your nephew, by the way, I was unsure if you planned to spend the holidays with us.”
    As a younger brother, Anthony knew how hard Justin fought to contain his irritation. Hmmm, perhaps he should give his big brother a couple more jabs, see if he couldn’t make him lose his cool. Because the glow that hovered around Justin and his bride and the lovely little family of three that they’d created frankly turned Anthony’s stomach.
    After nearly six months, he could admit, at least to himself, that perhaps Aubrey did love Justin and wasn’t the gold digger that he thought she was. But what else could he have thought when Aubrey turned up after a fifteen-year absence, claiming Justin was the father of her fourteen-year-old son Max? But after a paternity test, a wedding, and countless events where he had seen his new sister-in-law in action, Anthony doubted any actress would be good enough to fake all those looks of love that Aubrey shot at Justin.
    “I’ll be there Christmas Eve,” Anthony said. “Before all of you leave for Switzerland.”
    Justin nodded, but didn’t take the bait. He said nothing about his choice to spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s in Switzerland with Aubrey’s family and the two other Travati brothers without inviting Anthony. And Anthony would be damned if he’d reveal how much that decision bothered him. If it were up to them, the ice between the brothers might never thaw.
    “I’ll let Aubrey know. She’ll be pleased.”
    “You mentioned two things,” Anthony prompted.
    “Aubrey invited Shelly Bello and her grandmother to dinner tonight, and she was hoping you’d join us.”
    Irritation mixed with surprise raced through Anthony. He maintained his stony countenance. Why was Aubrey meddling? What did she hope to prove?
    “I’ll need to check my calendar. I’ll have Tricia let your assistant know.”
    Justin nodded and turned toward the door. Then he paused and cocked a brow. “If you do come to dinner, stop at Carmine’s, won’t you? Pick up some cannoli for after dinner.”
    Anthony said