Chapter 11 - The Approach
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The knowledge that Julian was barreling toward my city on a Greyhound bus did not send me into a spiral of panic. Ten years ago, the mere thought of confronting my brother would have caused my heart to race and my palms to sweat. I would have agonized over what to say, how to appease him, and how to protect myself from his inevitable emotional manipulation. But today, standing in an office I had built from the ground up, I felt nothing but a cold, clinical anticipation.
Marcus stood by my desk, outlining his proposed security protocols.
"I have already doubled the physical security detail at the lobby level," Marcus explained, pointing to a schematic of the building on the wall monitor. "Your personal transport will be upgraded to an armored SUV, and I recommend you work from the penthouse for the next three days until we can secure a restraining order based on his violent outburst in Ohio."
"No, Marcus," I said firmly, shaking my head.
"Sir, with all due respect, Julian has a history of erratic behavior and financial desperation. He is highly unpredictable."
"He is not unpredictable, Marcus. He is a textbook parasite," I replied, walking over to pour myself a glass of water. "Parasites follow a very specific pattern. They look for a host, they attempt to burrow in using guilt or aggression, and if they are denied, they throw a tantrum. If I hide in my penthouse, he will perceive it as fear. He will think I am still the younger brother he can intimidate."
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"So, what are your instructions?" Marcus asked, crossing his arms.
"I will come to the office tomorrow at my usual time," I instructed, my voice entirely steady. "When he arrives at the front desk, do not let him past the security turnstiles. Detain him in the visitor waiting area and call me. I am not going to run from a ghost, Marcus. I am going to look him in the eye and show him exactly what a closed door looks like."
