Page 4 of Twisted Temptation

I won't give anyone that kind of ammunition.

"You know, there are many benefits to being married," John Marco says.

I watch the last ribbon of gold bleed out of the sky. "Name three."

I indulge him because I’m genuinely intrigued to see how my brother will sell this to me.

"One, you get the old capos off your back. They see a ring, they see a future.” I hear the soft creak of leather as he shifts on the couch. "Two, you'll always have a plus one when an invitation demands it. No more showing up to fundraisers alone and watching every socialite in the room try to claw her way onto your arm like you're a prize to take home."

I turn from the window. “And three?”

My brother grins. "There'll always be someone eager to polish your ego—and everything attached to it."

I lift an eyebrow but don’t dignify his comment with a response.

He grins and settles deeper into the couch, crossing his legs. "I'm just saying. When's the last time you had someone polish⁠—"

"Enough."

"—your ego?"

"John Marco."

He raises his glass in surrender, but his grin doesn't falter.

He drains the last of his scotch and sets the glass down. "Right. I've depressed us both enough for one evening. Let's go to dinner. That new Italian place in the historic quarter has a lobster ravioli that’s supposed to be as good as sex. It’s a lie. Nothing is as good as sex. But I need to see what all the hoopla is about."

"I can't."

"Why?"

I remove a file from my desk. "I have something to take care of tonight."

I cross the room and drop the file on the couch beside him. He opens it, and I watch as his eyes move across the page.

"Who is Joseph Meadows?" he asks.

“An accountant who has been skimming from my casino to cover his gambling debts."

"How much has he taken?"

"Seven hundred thousand."

He closes the file and huffs. “The fool. What is your plan?”

"I'm handling it personally." I turn back to look at him. "And you're coming with me."

He lifts his brows. "I'm what?"

"You heard me."

He sits up. "You know I’m not good with that kind of thing. I'm the brains; you're the man with a gun."

"And yet."

"You know I hate the sight of blood."

I do know this about him. He’s such a pussy when it comes to blood.