Page 105 of All Bets Are Off

“You’re the worst,” was all I managed.

“You love me, and you know it.” Rex turned his attention to Zach, who was dressed in one of his masters of the universe suits. “Where are you going?”

“It’s a lunch with the department heads,” Zach replied. “I can’t get out of it.” He was back to staring at me. “I was trying to get your sister to go with me, but she declined. I guess the romance truly is dead.” He mock clutched at his heart.

“No offense, but why would I possibly want to sit through lunch with your department heads?” I asked. Something occurred to me and I slid my eyes to Rex. “Aren’t you a department head?”

“Ah, I can see why you would think that,” Rex replied. “I am a very important figure in the casino, but I technically report to the security head, John Bishop. He’ll be the one at the lunch. I’m off today. I thought that’s why you wanted me to come over and help you.”

I made a quick slashing motion across my throat to silence my brother—I didn’t want Zach to know what I was up to just yet—but I had to stop mid slash and pretend I was scratching my throat when Zach slid his eyes to me.

“What do you need your brother’s help with?” Zach asked. His tone wasn’t accusatory, but there was a question in his eyes.

“Manly stuff,” Rex replied as he grabbed the remote control for the television. “She wants me to move furniture and stuff.”

Zach glanced around. “Where?”

“He’s making that up,” I replied. I didn’t want to lie, but I wasn’t prepared to tell the truth just yet. “He’s helping me with a project. It’s not something I’m ready to talk to you about just yet. You’re going to have to suck it up and wait.”

Zach’s eyes went to the piles of paper on the floor. “With that?”

I hesitated. “I know this is going to sound weird.” I chose my words carefully. “I need to bounce some ideas off someone who has a general understanding of the hotel operations, but who isn’t the guy who signs off on everything.” This conversation made me distinctly uncomfortable. “I just… I might have an idea. It’s something I have to work out in my own time, though.”

“And you need your brother for that?” Zach didn’t look hurt as much as curious.

“He’s familiar with how my mind works,” I replied.

Zach considered it a moment longer, then nodded. “Okay.” He moved over to me and leaned over so he could give me a kiss.

From his spot on the couch, Rex made gagging noises.

Zach punched him in the thigh when he pulled back from me, but his gaze didn’t go to my brother. It remained locked with mine. “When you’re ready to talk about your idea, I’ll be here.”

I let out the breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding. “I know. I think I’m going to have something soon.”

Still dubious, Zach gave me another kiss. Then he moved toward the door. “Don’t be mean to your sister,” he said to Rex. “If you make her cry, I’m going to make you cry.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Rex haphazardly waved him off. He’d found a game and had it playing on the huge television. “Just know that you can’t interfere in sister-brother stuff. It’s against the law.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure you’re making that up.”

“Nope. It’s totally the truth.”

Zach opened the door and made a startled noise. There, her hand poised to knock, Tallulah jolted.

“Hey,” she said when Zach just stood there like a statue. “What’s up, Buttercup?”

That was enough to jolt Zach out of his reverie. “Are you helping with whatever project Livvie has going on too?”

“Apparently so.” Tallulah patted his shirt as she passed. Her long auburn hair was twisted into a fat braid that hung over her shoulder. “I was simply told that my services were required, so here I am.”

Zach’s eyes flicked back to me. There was a question there.

“Just trust me,” I pleaded. “I need to work a few things out. Then I’ll talk to you.”

Apparently—and what a miracle it was—that was enough for Zach. “Okay. Try not to get in too much trouble. If you go out, don’t let Rex pick the destination. He finds trouble.” He paused before letting the door fall shut. “Don’t let Tallulah pick either.”

“In other words, I’m the only one you trust,” I teased.

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