Page 13 of The Acquisition

"There's that attitude again, brat. If you really want to be spanked, you just have to ask. No need to throw a tantrum," I taunted her.

Beck rolled his eyes and ignored the exchange between us. He was getting used to our bickering. "Bring formal attire. I'm marrying Evie tonight."

I slapped him on the back. "About time. I thought I was going to have to get a shotgun and make this happen the old-fashioned way." Thank God I wouldn't have to use the term 'baby daddy' again either.

"I think the old-fashioned way would have been to knock her up after the wedding," Jana quipped.

Beck pointed at Jana and told me, "Muzzle her and get straight to the airport."

"Sounds fun," I teased her. Beckett had already run off.

I expected Jana to fight me more about the suggestion I handle her in any way, but she'd deflated.

"What's wrong?" I asked. I could go from wanting to throttle her to wanting to hug her in seconds. She made me feel unstable, and I was growing addicted to her.

"All my clothes are in my apartment. How am I supposed to pack?"

"Trust me?" I asked her.

She looked up at me warily, her blue eyes wide with fear. That’s what was holding her back; she didn't trust me. I knew it didn't exactly have anything to do with me, but my reputation didn't help. That was an obstacle to navigate later, but for now I needed to solve this problem for her.

"With this. Can you trust me to help you with this?" I clarified.

Her eyes dropped from mine, and she tipped her head. I reached into my back pocket for my phone, but I pulled out hers instead. "Here," I said and handed it to her. "You forgot this at my apartment."

She took it and clutched it to her chest. It was the one item she still possessed, and I knew when I got the chance I was going to bring the world down on her father's head. He'd never get Jana back. I wouldn't allow it.

I located my phone in my jacket pocket and pulled up a number for the shopper Beckett and I both used. "Hey, Patrice, have you set aside anything for Sabrina lately?"

"Yes, sir. I've got some business suits, and I know she really only likes me to deliver work apparel, I've found some casual items I think would be stunning on her coloring."

Jana's brow furrowed, and she looked adorably confused. I covered the mouthpiece with my hand. "I try and take care of both my sisters, but only Waverly lets me do it. Sabrina will only accept business apparel since I wrote it into her employment contract as a benefit."

"Well, I actually need clothes for my friend, Jana Easton. She's had an emergency, and everything she owned is lost. She'll need an entire wardrobe."

Jana was emphatically shaking her head. It made me want to add more to the list just to irritate her. "I need enough clothes for the weekend, the casual apparel will work, and I'll need a cocktail dress. I think Jana is about two inches taller than Sabrina, but otherwise they have the same coloring."

She rushed me to grab the phone, but I put it on speaker and held it over her head. Might as well go all out if we we’re going to start acting like children.

"Mr. Greyson?" Patrice asked.

"I'm here," I shouted toward my phone.

Jana resorted to jumping to try and reach my phone. I took my free hand and wrapped it around her waist to hold her still.

"I asked if there was anything else and if you wanted delivery or pick up?"

"I need an overnight bag. A really expensive one," I told her.

"I'm just going to leave it at your house," Jana muttered.

"Make sure it's extremely feminine. It's a gift."

"I hate you," Jana said under her breath.

"You wish you did," I said, looking down at her adorably exasperated expression.

"How fast can you have that delivered to my apartment?" I asked Patrice.

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