Alistair attempted to coerce his son, Aaron, into a strategic marriage with Lacy Knighton by withholding his requested vacation time. Aaron countered that he hadn't taken vacation since joining the company and threatened to report the matter to HR. His father eventually relented, though unwillingly. The thought of his father's further distress upon discovering Aaron's relationship with Kaleb and the subsequent loss of his "throne" only added to Aaron's sense of relief. He left the office feeling surprisingly light.

In the parking garage, he found someone leaning against his car—not who he expected.

"Gray, what brings you here? I thought you'd want nothing to do with this place."

"I don't, but you're hard to reach. I wanted to know when you're going out of town."

Aaron frowned. "How did you—never mind. I've accepted you're omniscient." His brother smiled, as if complimented, and waited for an answer.

"We're leaving in two and a half weeks, but only for four or five days. Why?"

"I wanted to see my adorable niece and nephew before you leave," Gray replied smoothly. "They have hair now, don't they?"

"Violet does. Kaleb, not so much. I don't know if it's a good idea. Keeley dislikes taking the babies out if she can help it."

(This was actually Aaron himself, but Gray didn't need to know. He already considered Aaron soft, and Aaron didn't want to appear weaker to this formidable man.)

"Then why don't I come to you?"

Aaron wanted that even less! Just because Gray wasn't currently an enemy didn't mean Aaron wanted him in his house. Refusal, however, might anger him. He desperately wanted to avoid Gray's displeasure.

Even a single visit didn't guarantee future access; the building had a doorman. He could always pretend they weren't home if Gray decided to drop by unexpectedly. Besides, Gray likely already knew where he lived; he was a hacker, albeit not on Aiden's level.

Sighing inwardly, Aaron agreed. "I'll have Keeley make marshmallow brownies. They're delicious."

"How delightful! How does next Sunday work?"

Aaron was about to mention his father-in-law's usual Sunday visits before realizing Robert's presence might be beneficial; he was excellent at diffusing tense situations, having done so more than once when Keeley disliked Aaron.

"My father-in-law will be there too. Is that alright?"

"The more the merrier," Gray said. "I'm curious about the man who raised a woman like your wife."

That seemed slightly ominous, but Aaron dismissed it. Of all the people Keeley worried about, Gray ranked lowest. Both believed he wouldn't harm them unless provoked. He, like Aaron once had been, desired a family's acceptance.

Still, Aaron worried about Keeley's reaction. It turned out to be unnecessary. She shrugged it off, accepting Gray's desire for connection due to loneliness.

"You're taking this awfully well," Aaron said suspiciously.

Keeley stirred the pasta. "He seemed familiar when I first met him. Once I knew he was your brother, I realized he reminded me of you. You do look alike, but the biggest similarity is your tendency to hide loneliness behind a façade. Yours was coldness; his, a thick layer of charm."

"I think he's dangerous, but you're the only one who never has to worry about that side of him. I feel he'd do anything for you—and by extension, the children and me."

Aaron had to admit she had a point. Gray's unexpected appearances mirrored Aaron's own desperate attempts to be a part of Keeley's life. He'd done it because she was the only person who offered him warmth. It seemed his brother sought similar acknowledgment from the only person he considered family.

Aaron still disliked Gray. Even without his past-life involvement with Lacy Knighton in plotting Aaron's downfall, Gray was too smarmy. Nothing about him seemed genuine.

Having encountered many insincere people in both lives, Aaron was adept at spotting sincerity. Who knew what darkness lurked beneath that smooth surface?

He sighed. "I think you're right. He doesn't pose a present threat. But do you really think he likes me that much?"

Keeley nodded. "Oh yeah. Even before meeting you, he spoke fondly of you. If he likes anyone, it's you. So…try to be nice to him."

"You do realize he helped kill you, right?"

"Yeah, but he hasn't done anything to me in this life. He had a change of heart. Just like another certain someone I know."

Aaron disliked the comparison. He didn't want to be grouped with Graydon Meyer/Michael Gray; he'd never been involved in a murder plot.

"you're very forgiving, you know that?"

He shook his head in disbelief before smiling. He'd personally benefited from her forgiveness. If their situations were reversed—if Keeley had done half what he'd done—he doubted he could reciprocate. He was too vengeful.