Page 4 of Nothing to Win

“He prefers Lighting Darkness to the volunteering I do in the homeless shelter several times a year.The former I can do from home.”

Her father’s preference was always that she remain at home as often as possible.

“Pretty little do-gooder,” he said.“No surprise you’ve taken on a hopeless cause like Jarrod.”

“Shanna loves Jarrod.”

“Except he’s taken off.”

“He loves her too.Your brother just has… issues.”

“Half-brother.He’s been into drugs for a decade.His addiction is no secret.”

Implying any woman knew what she was getting into?

“The addiction is in his past,” she said.“He’s clean.”Spurn rolled his eyes, to which she bounded forward.“Who are we to judge him?Even if he is back on drugs, he needs help not criticism.”

“Mysterious and naïve.”

And if she hadn’t been raised with manners and restraint, she might repeat what she’d heard about him.

Deep breath.

“Your mother loved Jarrod’s father once, just as she loved yours.Doesn’t family mean anything to you?”

“My mother is on husband number five or six.She left me with my father just as she left Jarrod with his.That’s where the similarity begins and ends.”

“I don’t believe you have so little humanity.Shanna needs help.Your brother needs help.If you hate his family so much, why not stick it to them and do what they won’t?”

Intrigue piqued him.“You are your father’s daughter, Miss Sear.I’d recognize that manipulative streak anywhere.Unfortunately for you, I’m not easily led.You’re clearly the opposite, which gets me wondering, why not fund the foolish endeavor yourself?”

No amount of preparation or expectation could quell the embarrassment.

“I don’t have access to funds.”

Brief amusement captured him.“Excuse me?”

Gia exhaled.“My father doesn’t like my charitable work.I live at home, I have a driver and a car, but he got tired of me cashing in my jewels and clothes.My mother picks out those things when I need them.”

“Mysterious is accurate,” he said.Just as she was about to tell him to go to hell, he gave what she took as a compliment.“You’re headstrong.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded once.“I’ll fund your friend’s crusade.”

Really?That was… it took her stuttering brain a minute to respond.“You will?”

Her father and brother spoke of this man as the most unreasonable person on the planet, yet she’d said next to nothing to persuade him and there he was offering everything Shanna needed.

“Mr.Spurn, I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you is traditional.”

“Yes,” she said, still in too much shock to smile.“Thank you.Shanna will be overjoyed.”

And she couldn’t wait to tell her friend of the breakthrough.She got a few steps closer to the exit only to be stalled by his words.

“Quid pro quo, Miss Sear.”