Page 88 of Nothing to Win

He pondered with a quick sideways head bob.“So everyone then?”She laughed at his smile, both arrogant and humble at the same time.“That’s a lot of people.”

“You need some time to think about it?”

“Hell, no.That’s an easy answer.Two people on this Earth will never benefit from my services.”

“Ah, interesting, and specific.And these two people are…”

“Going to remain a mystery,” he said, snickering as he swallowed more liquor.“Can’t take the chance someone will tip them off.”

“Isn’t it better they know so they never come to you?”

“Than I turn them away?No.”

And that was funny too.“Turn them away?That’s a polite way to put it.”

“Mom has spies everywhere.”

“You’re safe with me too.I’ve never met your mother.Heard a lot about her.She sounds wonderful.”

And she envied him growing up with a family like his.

“She is,” Tripp said.“And too patient with all of us.”

“Lighting Darkness is a Breckenridge charity, isn’t it?”

“Yep, and if you want in, my mom would be happy to have you.”

“In?”she asked.“Guess you haven’t heard I’m the poorest billionairess in history.”

His warmth wasn’t deterred.“That so?I’ve heard different.”

“Then people do lie to Priest.”

As someone whose bank account was so low, she hadn’t looked at a statement in years.No lotto wins in her past, present, or future, and that’s what it would take.Brogan was as close as she got to a jackpot.Again, Brain?Brogan.Over.Finished.What part of that didn’t she understand?Move that man on out.

“Wealth doesn’t matter to my mom,” Tripp said.“I guarantee you’d already be suckered in if…”

“My family hadn’t kept me locked up?”

“Got to admit, you’ve been at the same parties as a lot of us, but Mom didn’t grab you.That’s unusual for her; she sniffs out bleeding hearts faster than I can talk a lady out her panties.”

“I’m still wearing mine.”

“Don’t be offended.Roxie has rules,” he said like that would make sense to her.“And Brogan’s my boy.”

Tripp had rules of his own?Red lines he wouldn’t cross.Damn, but that only made him more charming.

“My family are insular,” she said.“And my parents are… protective.”

“Some say superior.”A fact she couldn’t argue.“Now you’re through with Spurn, you’re back living with your folks?Word was you’d stay here; that Roxie made an offer.”

“Roxie is amazingly generous, Zairn too.”

“They don’t say it if they don’t mean it.”

“It’s such a glamorous life.”That wouldn’t fit unglamorous, non-dynamic her.“Why stay here?”she asked with a defeated shrug.“This isn’t me.I have no job, no purpose.What am I supposed to do?Move into Crimson and party every night?”

“Works for the rest of us,” he said without offense.“The alternative is going back to your parents and… sitting home every night?Is that the life you want?”