Page 87 of Forbidden Kisses
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she murmured. "Both for coming with me and convincing my sister to move here."
"I didn't need to do much convincing," I said. "She agreed fast."
Riley looked up at me with a happy smile, but her eyes were glossy. Had she been crying?
"You used that mysterious voice. Of course she agreed," she said. "I hope she picked up on the serious and not the sexypart." She wasn't making much sense, but I didn't interrupt her. "Anyway, you did help, trust me."
“My pleasure, Riley."
"Huh. See, you're using it again. And it’s working."
"Good, because I meant what I said about the lawyers. That moron is trouble. At Sterling Investments, I have some of the finest lawyers in the city. I can ask them to deal with him."
She bit the inside of her cheek. "But is that okay? To use them for personal issues?"
"Fuck yes. I'd do anything for you. They work for the family as much as they work for the company."
Her eyes softened. She muttered, "The family," and then smiled again. Her body was less tense than it had been before.
"Okay," she said. "If it's not too much trouble."
"It's fucking not. I mean it. I’d do anything to help you out, to help Paula out. Whenever either of you needs anything, I want you to know, Riley, I can help. Always."
She gave me a wry smile. "You're so sure about that, huh?"
"Yes. I know you two are very capable, but I can make things easier.” Money and influence had a tendency to do that. I had vast resources at my disposal, and I didn't mind using them for Riley and Paula. "Now, I have a proposition for you. Take care of your sister, and then I'll take you away and care of you."
"She might need me the whole day."
I shook my head. "She's going to be happy knowing you're taken care of."
Riley stepped closer to me, laying a hand on my cheek and then my shoulder before drawing it down my chest.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Checking that you're real. That you're really standing here, saying all these beautiful things."
"I'll do so much more. I’ll show you."
I cupped her face, and her breath turned ragged instantly. I loved that I had this effect on her. That her breath quickened when I was near, no matter what.
I tilted over her, kissing the curve of her neck. "Let's take care of your sister.”
I spent the whole afternoon with Riley and made several phone calls to our lawyers, not wanting to waste any time. Paula volunteered all the information she had on the guy. The lawyer agreed to start soft. There was no point asking for a restraining order just yet, but they could give him a good scare.
I’d dealt with slimeballs like him before. A display of power usually sent them scurrying away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Duncan
The next day, I met my brothers in the afternoon. Knox and Finn came back from yet another trip to Napa Valley. We were all in favor of buying the property. The only risk was someone else snatching it from us. Everyone had smug smiles when I entered the meeting room. I assumed that meant they had good news. Griffin, Knox, and Finn were sitting on one side of the table. I sat next to Wyatt and Chase.
"What's new?" I asked.
"You tell us."
Now that I was paying attention, I realized Chase's smile was smugger than everyone else's.
