Read Blended (Redemption #1) for Free Online Page A

known to hole up with a bottle of whiskey from time to time. I turn away from the windows and those who occupy the sidewalk space below.
    The majority of my time is spent dealing with Brass Global, working out, or drinking Scotch. I’ve limited myself to whom I interact with in Chicago, and I have a set of rules that I abide by to keep sane.
    I was born in London, England, and moved to the United States with my mother when I was still an infant after the death of my father. She raised me as a single mother, striving to be the best she could be for me, and it’s because of her that I refuse to lose sight of my goals for something or someone inconsequential.
    An abrupt knock on my door interrupts my thoughts as well as the silence in the room. I glance at my watch and frown: it’s eight in the evening. Who the hell would still be here?
    “What?” I call out, annoyance laced in my voice.
    The oversized solid wood door opens silently and my secretary, Adriana Hugh, walks in, her heels clicking softly against the black marble flooring. She’s been with me since I launched my company, and I could not imagine replacing her. She’s beautiful, but I haven’t shown any interest in this all-American girl. She may be someone I would naturally go after, but my rules forbid me from doing so.
    “I apologize for interrupting, Mr. Brass, but I just wanted to ask if you needed anything else before I leave? I’ve arranged the meeting in Australia for three weeks from today, which will give you the time you needed to review and make your final decision on the properties you were interested in acquiring there.”
    “Thank you, Adriana. Is there anyone else left on the floor?”
    “No, sir. It is just the two of us.”
    I nod. “Very well. Have a good evening.”
    “You too, sir.” She smiles timidly before placing a few phone messages on my desk and walking out of the room, shutting the door silently behind her.
    I place my now-empty tumbler on my desk before picking up the messages she has written down for me. Two are from my mother, another is from a C-level employee, Gage Cooper, and the other is from Lawson Stafford. Adriana holds all of my personal phone calls during the day unless I ask her otherwise. She usually keeps my cell phone on her desk as well. I don’t have time to play tag via text messages when I’m busy with crucial financial decisions involving the multiple companies comprising Brass Global. Of those companies under the BG umbrella, some mean more to me than others do, but those who work underneath me to make my empire thrive will never know the difference. Our subsidiaries are varied with some being in the business sector while others are in the hospitality industry.
    Some of my biggest projects, however, revolve around a global charity called Mothers of Brass, an organization that is dear to my heart. Mothers of Brass runs safe houses in which women experiencing domestic violence find their refuge. Many of them suffer from physical as well as mental abuse, and many of them escape their abusive situations with their children in tow. This charity helps to put these women back on their feet in the time they need and require. In addition, it offers counseling and support groups at no charge.
    It’s an incredibly personal part of my business, but no one outside of Adriana and Brass Global’s C-level positions are aware of that.
    After reading each one of the messages, I decide that tonight is not the night to call them back. None of them will get anything worthwhile from me this evening.
    Now that everyone has left the office, I remove my tie, undo the first few buttons on my white shirt, grab my jacket off of the back of my chair, and then leave my office, picking up my phone from Adriana’s desk on my way out. I text Jacobs to inform him that he may take the rest of the evening off after he delivers my personal vehicle to my final destination.
    This evening will be one drowned in the light and spicy, yet