Page 141 of The Wrong Play

“Is there a reason that you called?” he snapped. “I…have to take this package to the mailroom.”

My eye roll was probably a thing to behold. I should take a picture of it and send it to him because even he would be impressed.

“Well, I’m calling about two things,” I said. “First, I just tripled the money you sent me last week, and I’m definitely taking that ten percent you offered me on account of the fact that I’m the smartest, best-looking, absolutelyamazingestperson that you know.”

Another bang.

“You can have five percent,” Jasper hissed, cursing under his breath about whatever had just happened. “Because it’s so fucking easy for you, and you shouldn’t prey on me when I was just having a weak moment that day.”

“A weak moment because of the dead body you had in the garage? Right…but also, you shouldn’t get a discount on account of my big brain. I bet you don’t give discounts because of your big?—”

“I think we’ve discussed I’m not a hooker, Jace. But you can keep trying.”

“This is where you tell me thank you and then go do whatever…”

“The mailroom. I’m taking something to the mailroom,” he corrected me.

“Someday, I’m going to figure this out,” I warned him.

He huffed, like he thought I was being funny.

“And your second reason for calling?” Jagger drawled.

“I need a favor.”

There was a short pause, then an amused chuckle. “Well, that’s going to cost you the five percent.”

I scoffed. “Well, since it was actually ten percent, I still get five percent, so we should be all good.”

My fingers drummed against my thigh. “I need the coffee shop Riley works at closed for a while. Something…inconvenient, but not too serious.”

Jagger hummed, considering. “Pipes bursting?”

I smirked. “Sounds perfect.”

“You know, normal people just ask their girls to quit. Offer to take care of them for a while.”

“Normal people are boring,” I muttered. “Besides, she’s stubborn. This way, she thinks it’s out of her hands.”

Jagger laughed. “I’ll make some calls. Expect a water disaster by morning.”

I grinned. “That’s why you’re my favorite brother.”

“I’m youronlybrother, dumbass.”

I ended the call and went back to watching her on the screen, a satisfied smirk settling on my face. Problem solved. Now, I just had to figure out how to get that bookstore downsized too.

The next day, Riley came home, her brows furrowed in worry as she dropped her bag onto the counter.

“You won’t believe this,” she said, running a hand through her hair. “The coffee shop flooded overnight. Something about busted pipes. It’s going to be closed for a while.”

I schooled my expression into one of soft concern. “That sucks, Riley-girl. Are they still paying you while it’s closed?”

She shook her head, sighing. “No. I mean, I still have the bookstore job, but it’s going to be tight for a while. Even with you not letting me pay any rent for this place.”

There was a cute little growl at the end of that sentence that made me want to bury my face between her legs…but I controlled myself. Instead, I made a sympathetic noise, stepping closer and brushing my knuckles along her jaw. “Maybe this isn’t such a bad thing.”

She arched a brow. “How do you figure?”

---