“Fine. I suppose we can talk out here. I don’t mind.” But his cold eyes say he most definitely minds and pressure me to agree to the brunch.
I stubbornly keep my mouth shut. Bryce didn’t say anything about anyone coming over to the courthouse. And after meeting his lovely mom, I’m not risking—
“I saw you met my sister. Zoe always makes an impression, eh? I guess she did on you, too.”
My mouth dries.This is the mob uncle Bryce mentioned. I doubt this man’s going to be any better than Zoe, especially since he’s fighting with her for control over the criminal enterprise. “She did. But look, I don’t want anything to do with you or your sister.”
“Sure you do. Your brother owes me two million, which you plan to pay back.”
“How do you know—? Wait, areyouthe loan shark?”
“Bingo. Although I prefer the term ‘preferential lender.’ Whatever you call it, it’s one of my more minor interests.”
I pull out my phone. No way am I letting that sum of money hang over my head, especially if the person’s Zoe’s archnemesis and brother. I don’t want to give anybody the impression I’m picking a side. “Great. Why don’t you send me your bank information so I can wire the money today?”
He puts a finger on the edge of my phone and lowers it. “Don’t be so cold. There’s no need. We’re family now. Consider it a wedding gift.”
Oh, hell no. “No thank you. Two million is not on the registry,” I say with a forced smile.
He gives me a look. “Honey, you think I got where I am by coloring inside the lines?”
“I have no idea. But it’s my policy not to accept anything from anyone that might come back to haunt me.”
He lets out a soft chuckle. “You’re interesting. But it’s a gift, not a trap.”
I let the statement hang, not responding, but he keeps staring at me like he needs me to say something before he can continue. “Okay,” I finally say. It’s the only neutral thing I can think of.
“Seriously, the two mil is yours. Consider it…compensation for you keeping my nephew as happy as possible, for as long as possible.”
I scowl at Harvey. He’s talking to me like I’m just a tool. Probably a shared sibling trait, albeit he’s more civilized than Zoe.
He leans so close that I can smell the cool aftershave on his skin. A chill runs through me, but I don’t back down.
A genuine smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Besides, a couple million is nothing between family, right?” He leans forward. “You can just give me something suitably reciprocal later, if it bothers you that much,” he says into my ear, making me shiver. He pulls back and straightens his jacket. “Like maybe nine months from now.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Bryce
Barry pounces the second I step out of the elevator. “I can’t believe you got married without telling me!”
It feels like an oldTwilight Zoneepisode. “How the hell—?” I ask, striding down the long hall to reach my office.
He follows. “Paola just called.”
“That was quick, even for her.”
“She’s just happy she won the money,” he says sourly.
“Oh, that betting pool?”
“Yeah. I lost.” He scowls. “The least you could have done was warn me.”
I snort. “Imagine me playing the world’s tiniest violin.”
“You’re so damn cruel. Hey, how about a post-bachelor party?”
“And have my wife stab me the moment I get home from it? No thanks.”
