Page 56 of Baby Duke

"May I ask which of your many businesses is your most profitable?"

"Of course," Dad says, a sly smile stretching his lips. "That would be my hotel franchise, Mazzuchelli's, of which I'm sure you are familiar?" Roe nods, and I focus closely, remembering the unusual income I had spied on the business statement. "Mazzuchelli's was my father's one and only idea of consequence. Not just the five-star accommodation, but the restaurant of only the best cuisines, the bar with the world's finest alcoholic beverages… and The Den and all its dazzling delights." His eyes sparkle as he mentions the mysterious money maker, clearly a fan of thesedazzling delights.

Roe's head tilts as her brow crinkles in a frown, clearly as unfamiliar with the term as I was.

Dad continues before she can question him further.

"I have also recently acquired shares in a live exporting company, which I am hoping will improve Mazzuchelli's income even more."

My eyebrows jump. This was new. Why hadn't he told me about this last night?

Roe's face sours. "Live export? How exactly will the suffering of innocent animals improve the income of a hotel?"

"You do not approve, Miss Nixon?" he says in a bored tone.

I down the dregs of my coffee, knowing Roe's interview was about to be cut short.

"Pity. Miss Nixon, I am a very busy man and must take my leave now. West, if you will?"

I push to my feet and motion for Roe to follow. She opens her damn mouth, ready to start something she wasn't prepared to finish. I glare at her and she seems to take the hint.

Regaining some composure, she thanked my father for answering her questions, her smile strained. I wait for Roe to exit first before stepping out behind her, my shoulders relaxing as soon as I feel my father's gaze cut off from our retreating forms. I almost plow into Roe as she freezes just steps down the hall. East stands there with her arms crossed and lips pinched.

I push Roe to walk again, not wanting Father to know East had been listening in. Business was not the place for a young lady like her, he would say.

East pivots and leads us up the stairs to our shared lounge room.

She whirls on Roe before I have even had the chance to collapse onto the sofa.

"What the fuck, Roe!" she demands.

I frown but hold my tongue at her language.

Roe rag dolls onto the couch opposite me with a deep sigh.

"Where do you want me to start?"

"For one, what the hell are you doing at my house at the ass crack of dawn?" East hisses.

Roe rolls her eyes. "It is many hours past sunrise, East." She quickly continues, hands raised, as East opens her mouth. "But I see where you are coming from."

After a quick glance my way, she blurts, "I slept with your brother," before wincing and shrinking into her seat.

I smirk as East glares my way. Damn right I fucked my sister's new friend.

"Before you say anything," Roe continues, "yousawwhat we were like with each other. It was going to happen one way or another. It is done, and it will never happen again."

My smirk drops as I glance sharply at Roe. Like fuck is she going to lay down the rules like that. I mean, sure, we agreed it would be a one-time thing. But that wasbefore. Now that it is after, I'm not so sure that I want it to be a one-time thing.

East, who is still watching me closely, breaks into a grin before leaping onto the couch with Roe.

"I cannotbelieveI am witnessing the downfall of my brothers' whoring ways," she exclaims. "And with my newest bestie? Girl, you might as well change your surname now because there ain't no way in hell you will be flying solo again."

I glare at my little sister.

Roe huffs a laugh, shaking her head. "Nope. Just no!"

"You have been bingeing Disney again, haven't you?" I ask sarcastically.

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