The Maid: The Fabulous Dalton Brothers, #2

By Ava Catori

Cage Dalton’s reputation crashed to the floor and crumpled at his feet. The tabloids and media frenzy couldn’t get enough of the Dalton brothers. Scandals and mishaps made the billionaire brothers popular headline material. In a bid to turn things around, the triplets hired a PR Adviser to do damage control. Can they stay out of trouble long enough to make a difference? Or will their family’s legacy go down in shambles like it had in the past? When three very different women enter their lives, the triplet brothers find themselves challenged in ways they hadn’t imagined. 

Brooklyn Rivera’s world shattered. Forced to pick up the pieces of her life, she needed to crawl before she could walk again. Desperate and alone, Brooklyn must learn to stand on her own two feet. Her lavish lifestyle was no more. The cars, the mansion, and the money were all gone. With her father sitting in a federal penitentiary, and all their family assets seized, Brooklyn Rivera was in a bind.  

When Cage offered her a position as the new Dalton maid, she grudgingly pushed her inner diva aside. With her dignity on the floor, Brooklyn takes the job. Through friendship, laughter, and pain, Cage and Brooklyn travel a bumpy road in search of something more. Can they find love, or will they only end up hurting each other?
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ava Catori Books
• Release date: Apr 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533701107

Book preview

Chapter 1 - Cage

Cage Dalton threw back his broad shoulders and stretched. Things would be okay. He’d stand his ground. He was prepared. He knew it wouldn’t go well, but his brothers would adjust. It was the right thing to do. So, maybe he hadn’t thought it through as long or as clearly as he should have, but what’s done was done.

Cage met his brothers in the front foyer, which had become a central hub when they connected their three homes together. Okay, so maybe they were mansions, but growing up there, it was all he knew. The estates had grown over the years. The Dalton’s had been a piece of Texas history, three generations strong.

The shared common space offered a frequent gathering spot. Oversized, stuffed leather sofas circled a massive television, which hung on the wall. One of his brothers was waiting for him.

Archer stroked his unkempt beard. What’s so important? I’ve got things to do.

The next few weeks would be bumpy. Early April started with a bang, and after a string of issues through spring, they’d traveled a rocky road. Cage shoved his hands into his pockets. His shoulders stiffened. Barrett will be here shortly. Let’s wait for him. I’d rather just go over the details one time. Is there any news on the new PR girl? How’s that going?

We’re still emailing back and forth. I’ll finally meet her next week. Not looking forward to it, he said. She sounds stuffy and uptight, to be honest.  

Barrett made his way into the foyer and flopped onto one of the leather sofas. He wore a ragged grin. That baby is wearing me down, but I swear he’s just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. He got his daddy’s good looks, lucky kid.

Can we get on with it, already? Archer prompted his younger brother to drop whatever bomb he was holding back.

They might have been triplets, but Cage was the last to make his entrance into the world. A couple of minutes separated the men, squarely placing them in their roles of oldest, middle child, and the baby. Eager for the spotlight, Cage usually loved attention, but today, he wanted to crawl into a hole. He knew his news wouldn’t go over well. He turned to face his brothers, and drew a deep breath. Maybe he should have gotten their opinions? Nah, he was a grown man, and this would help everyone.

Archer glared at him. He pointed to his watch and grumbled, Any day, now. I’ve got things to do.

Cage knew he’d have to tell them eventually. His confidence was with the ladies, not with his brothers who often looked down on him, treating him like a child. Not his fault, really. As far as his father was concerned, Barrett was the smart one and worth the time and effort to groom as a business man. Archer did more grunt work, hard labor, always getting his hands dirty. Their father called him ‘dumb as a rock’ one too many times, and for a while, he bought into it. Thankfully, he found his footing once the old man died. Cage, well, he was a pretty boy as his dad liked to call him, and not good for much of anything. As for his mom, he’d never met her. She died during childbirth, so he was raised by a handful of people that came and went. He learned to smile and charm the girls early. It was one lesson that paid off. Women loved him.

Brooklyn Rivera, I’ve been thinking about hiring her to be our new maid. Now, before you say anything, just know that I’m helping her out as much as she’ll be helping us. After Lyndsay stormed out, complaining that she didn’t deal with babies, meaning us, not Dalton, well, it’s not like things are cleaning themselves. He cringed and waited for their reactions.

Barrett groaned. Maybe if you hadn’t slept with Lyndsay, and kept it in your pants...

Cage ignored his brother’s comment. They’d adjust. She’d be there later that day. They didn’t have to agree, they only had to be nice. She needed a job and he reached out to her. Brooklyn was flying in from California. After her father’s money was seized, she was lost. Cage remembered what it was like to be broke. I just want to offer her a hand.

You think that’s a good idea? And where are you offering to put your hand? Archer stretched, his large frame taking up even more space. She might look good, but she’s not the brightest bulb. If she had an idea of her own, it might die of loneliness.

Cage scowled, as Archer chuckled over his latest comment. Nice. Not like you’re a rocket scientist.

At least I carry my weight around here, Archer shot back.

Barrett? Cage hoped his other brother might be more welcoming to the idea.

Barrett sighed. Not a great idea if I’m going to be honest. We all know you pined for the girl years ago. Do you think bringing her back here is smart? And Brooklyn as a maid how’s that going to work out? I’m not sure that woman has ever picked up a dust rag or done laundry in her life. She might have messed up her manicure or gotten a hair out of place. She was a bit of a diva if I remember correctly. But, who am I to talk? Quite frankly, I’ve got enough trouble of my own. You’re a big boy; think about the consequences before you do anything. I don’t think it’s a good idea.

I hear what you’re saying. I’ll think on it. Just consider the idea. And it was a small crush, a long time ago. Besides, if she’s not up to the grade, we’ll let her go, Cage offered. There was no need to mention she’d be there later that very same day. With a grin he added, I should make her wear one of those sexy French maid uniforms.

Archer turned to leave. A small crush; yeah, that’s not how I remember it. Anyway, I’ve got things to do. And no to the uniform; the last thing we need is you chasing away another maid or a sexual harassment lawsuit on our hands. Let her do her job. If you’d think with your big head once in a while, life might go a little smoother. Honestly, I’d say it’s a bad idea, but we all know you’ll do whatever you damn well please.

Barrett, don’t you at least think... he started. He turned to face his brother.

Barrett’s head was tipped back onto the sofa, eyes closed. A soft snore answered him. The baby had worn him out. Thankfully, he’d found Ashley, an adorable nanny that was helping him adjust. Cage shook his head. No worries, Barrett would realize Brooklyn was there when he saw her.

When Barrett’s son, Dalton Dalton, entered their lives it turned everybody’s world upside down. Dropped on their doorstep with nothing more than a note, a bottle, and a blanket, the baby was an obstacle nobody expected. It’s not like they didn’t have enough trouble with their reputations being smeared across the tabloids, and then there was the interview...yeah, it was still too fresh in his memory. Their lives were a soupy mix from being thrown into a blender. A messy one night stand, out of character for the usually calm and well thought out Barrett, ended in a bitter woman, a baby nine months later, and now a bag of horse manure for them to make smell pretty again. It’s hard to make wine out of weeds.

Archer had his own misgivings. His image was tarred by some chick over a one night stand, and the woman wanted to spill all the details for a few bucks. Archer claimed it was all for charity, but that’s not quite how the rumors splashed across the tabloids.

Cage was forced to lower his profile after headlines posted about his latest incident. The popular gossip rag made the rounds of local grocery store counters.