Page 35 of Cruel Offer
“Mob ties don’t automatically disqualify them,” Becker points out. “It’s really dependent on the nature of the ties.”
“Of course,” Sebastian says. “It’s not like we haven’t had clients with checkered pasts on our roster before. But in this case…”
My phone rings just as things are about to get interesting. Intending to ignore the call, my eyes sweep over the caller’s name, and I hold up a hand.
“Excuse me, I have to take this. It’s Eliza.”
Answering the call, I go out to the hallway where I can talk to my little sister in private. We’ve always been close, but Eliza doesn’t call as often these days. Since leaving for college, she’s really spread her independent wings andtaken advantage of the literal and figurative distance she’s gained from all the responsibilities that come along with being a Windemere. I hear from her more than our parents do, of course, but that’s because I’m not judgmental and don’t lecture her about her life choices. She’s always granted me the same courtesy.
“Hey, sis.”
“Guess what? I’m coming home!”
“Finally dropped out of school, did you?” I tease.
“Ha ha. And no. I just have a few weeks off before the next semester starts. Figured I’d take a break from touring the European Union and spend my vacation back in NYC with some friends.”
I feel like there’s something more to it, but I don’t press. “Have you told Mom and Dad?”
There’s a pause, and I know what’s coming before she even says it. “Actually…I was thinking that I could stay with you? You know, just like old times.”
Stifling a groan, I pinch the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger. Eliza always had a rocky relationship with our parents, and when their constant bickering and overbearing attitudes got to be too much, she’d come stay with me at the brownstone. Sometimes for a few days, sometimes for a few weeks. Once, for three months.
My sister has always been a levelheaded overachiever. She’s an easy houseguest and I love her. It’s never been an inconvenience to have her stay with me…that is, until now.
“You sure you want to stay with your workaholic big brother?” I say. “I mean, wouldn’t you rather spend the time at a friend’s place, or I’m sure we could get you a suite at The Regent?—”
“No way! You’re not putting me up in that fancy hotel all by myself!” she protests. “I want to stay with you. Maybe I can even guilt trip you into actually taking a few days off while I’m there. It’ll be good for both of us.”
She’s not wrong. But what about Piper?
I can’t keep up my arrangement with her in front of my sister. That’s not the kind of relationship I want to model. Our parent’s relationship has been a trainwreck our entire lives. If Eliza finds out that Piper is living with me purely for my own pleasure and to increase her desirability to be auctioned off for marriage… Jesus, I can’t let my sister see that.
I need to set a better example.
Piper and I will have to act like a happy, stable, totally legitimate couple while Eliza is there. Damn.
“So?” Eliza prods. “Is that a yes?”
“Of course it’s a yes.” I force a smile. “I’d love to have you.”
She squeals happily. “Yes! We’re going to have so much fun.”
“Eliza, uh. The thing is, it’s not just me in the house anymore. I…have a girlfriend.”
Silence.
Then another squeal that stabs painfully in my ear. “You have agirlfriend?! Naaaaate!!! We are going to have so much fun!”
Swallowing my reluctance, I look at the floor and take a breath. Fun is my original arrangement with Piper—teaching her how to service my dick and wait obediently on her knees like a good girl. Fun is pushing her against a wall and thrusting my hand between her legs, kissing her breathlessand walking away before I let her come. Fun is making her earn every orgasm.
Fun is not pretending to be a doting, puppy dog-eyed boyfriend.
This was not part of the plan at all.
15
PIPER-LILY
