"What are you going to do?" Aiden asked. "Are you going to tell him you know?"

Why would Aaron do that? It would only encourage Gray's belief in a brotherly relationship, something impossible after what Gray had done.

"No. I'll pretend I know nothing. I'll leave him alone, and hopefully he'll leave me alone."

The hacker was skeptical. Leaning against Aaron's desk, he said, "Do you really think that will work? He seems obsessed with you, almost as much as Lacy Knighton."

Aaron sighed. Why did he attract crazy people? His half-brother was dangerous. Angering him could end badly, but he couldn't simply accept Gray either; that was asking for trouble.

Gray already knew about Aaron's plan and hadn't told anyone—not even about Keeley's pregnancy and their marriage. He was good at keeping secrets, but how long would that last if Aaron angered him? Perhaps it would have been better if he'd remained ignorant of the truth. A decades-old mystery was solved, but at what cost? Now Aaron had even more to worry about. If Keeley found out, her blood pressure would skyrocket.

He couldn't keep it from her permanently. Secret-keeping had caused most of their problems in their first marriage. Maybe he could wait until after the babies were born?

That was one solution, but he still didn't know how to get the last two percent he needed. Unless…he killed two birds with one stone?

It was risky. He didn't want Gray near his family, but letting Gray help might appease him temporarily. After what happened with Emilio, Aaron believed he could get those shares.

"I may have to tell him I know. I think he can solve a problem for me," he confessed.

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "You're planning on using one of the most powerful men in New York? Isn't that a little much, even for you?"

"I don't have many options, Aiden. I need this resolved before my children are born, and I think he can do it."

"Your call, dude. I'll always have your back. Just be sure you know what you're getting into."

Aaron nodded as his friend left. He had a phone call to make—one he dreaded. This could go badly.

He steeled himself before dialing the number he never thought he'd call. It connected almost immediately.

"Aaron! What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?" Gray's smooth voice asked.

Aaron began reluctantly, "Do you have a way of getting two percent of the shares away from shareholders outside my control within the next month?"

"Well, yes, but it's far more entertaining to watch you do it yourself. Otherwise, I would have offered more help from the beginning."

Now he had to play the sympathetic brother. It was the only way to get Gray to cooperate. Aaron hoped he could pull it off.

"I'm under a time crunch. My wife is having twins, and they might arrive early. I need this done before then. You're the only one who can help me…brother."

He added the last word hoping for a positive reaction, which he got. Gray sounded delighted.

"So you figured it out! I hoped you would. I've known I had a little brother since I was five, but I imagine it was a shock to you."

"It was, knowing the kind of man our father is," Aaron admitted. He paused. "I'm sorry about what happened to your mother. You have as much reason to hate him as I do."

"I appreciate your concern. I never understood why you hated him so much. What did he do to you?"

"He hurt the only person I care about a long time ago. He needs to be stopped before he can do it again." This was the simplest explanation without revealing his father's role in his firstborn's death and his wife's ruin.

"Ah, so it was about Keeley. I wondered. She must be quite a woman."

"She is."

Gray's voice held an obvious smile. "In that case, allow your big brother to do you a favor. But in exchange, could you do something for me?"

"What?"

This couldn't be good. The conversation was going too well; something had to go wrong.

"It's nothing much…I simply want to spend some time with you and your family. Dinner. My treat."

That was bearable. He could have asked to come to Aaron's house. This was a small price to pay to permanently dethrone his father. Gray wasn't a threat to his wife anymore; he, like Aaron, just wanted a family. One dinner couldn't hurt.

"Deal. But only if this is done before my children are born."

"I take it at least one is a son? A little birdie told me about the contract offering ten percent of Father's shares once your wife gives birth to a boy," Gray said casually.

"We're having one of each."

"Well, congratulations! I look forward to meeting my niece and nephew. I better get started on those shares. Have Keeley pick a restaurant; I'm interested in her taste. Let's plan on next week. Talk to you later, baby brother."

He hung up before Aaron could protest the "baby brother" comment. He was much older! Aaron rubbed his temples, hoping he hadn't made the worst mistake of his life.