Page 29 of King of Temptation

“Excellent idea,” Aria said, a near maniacal expression on her face.

“And while we wait, Brody can tell us all about whatever it is that put that dark look on his face.” Reagan grinned, her eyes twinkling with the kind of mischief only an annoying little sister could manage. “Ten bucks says it’s about a certain author who’s been making a menace of herself?”

“You owe me ten,” Brody growled, refusing to admit she was even partially right. “Killian, check the bank accounts.”

Alert now, Killian went to work logging into his various accounts. And with each one, Brody saw his own worry and irritation reflected on his cousin’s face.

“Son of a bitch.”

“What’s wrong?” Worry filled Aria’s voice as she leaned forward, trying to see the screens.

“Someone’s fucking with us. All our liquid assets are frozen.”

“Frozen?” The corners of Reagan’s mouth dipped down. “Not drained, but frozen?”

“Yes.”

“So the feds are fucking with us again.”

“Looks like it.” As he clicked on another account, the furrow between Killian’s brow eased somewhat. “They haven’t touched the one in Aria’s name, yet. Either their intel is old, or they’re leaving her out of their little games. With it being the feds, I’d wager on the former.”

“Wait, you gave me my own bank account?”

“Of course I did, princess. You have a card for it in your wallet.”

Now it was Aria frowning, rather fiercely. “Why would you give me a whole separate account?”

“Our mama raised him right,” Reagan answered with a shrug. “Drilled it into him at a young age that his wife needed her own accounts. And she swore up and down if she ever found out he was trying to control a woman with money, she’d beat his ass. I’m not convinced she wouldn’t try even from the grave.”

“Aye, she absolutely would.” The smile that had stretched across Killian’s face at the mention of their mother faded. “I don’t ever want you to feel trapped here, Aria. The money is yours, no strings attached. Though I will need to borrow some to float the rest of the family until I get this mess sorted out with the Feds.”

“Of course. But for my own curiosity, how much money is in that account?”

“Right now, just shy of a million. Whatever you spend during the month gets replenished on the first.”

“Jesus, Killian, I don’t need a million dollars.”

“Of course you don’t, that would be ridiculous.” Killian smirked, some of the playfulness coming back into his expression. “That’s just the checking account. There’s a trust for you and our child with closer to twenty in it, that you’ll gain control of in the event of our divorce or my death.”

Under any other circumstances, Brody might have enjoyed the way Aria’s mouth fell open as she stared at her husband. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m very serious about making sure the woman I love and my children will always be provided for.”

“Killian that’s—nobody needs that much money.”

The man behind the desk only lifted a shoulder. “Agree to disagree. Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I have to call my contact at the FBI and ask him what the fuck is going on.”

“You have a contact at the—” Cutting herself off, Aria sighed. “Never mind. I don’t even know why I’m surprised.”

Rising from her chair, Reagan held out a hand to her sister-in-law and sent a meaningful look to her brother. “We’ll get out of your hair. But I’ll be around most of the day if you need me.”

“Thank you, Rae.” Killian glared at her, but his lips twitched, giving him away. “And save me some of that cake, you heathen.”

Hand pressed to her heart, Reagan sent him a wounded look. “You would deny the mother of your child the sustenance she clearly needs? Shame on you, brother.”

“Get out of my office, brats.”

Her laughter was cut off by the door closing behind them, and Brody raised a brow at his cousin. “Aria doesn’t know about your relationship with the Feds?”