“And Ethan?”Roman questions.
“We’ll keep it clean,” I announce.“No bets.No ammunition for Ethan.No cut to Gus since it’s in our territory.Just a solid Harden Night.Until we have time to weigh the pros and cons of investing in a bigger one, or at the very least, how to protect ourselves in case Morgan’s biding his time, waiting to reveal the video at an event.”
With a slow nod, Jagger adds, “I’ll ask Judge if he’d be willing to have his band do a small performance.He mentioned wanting to help out if we need anything.A concert at the beach would help remind people of our connections.”
Judge?We’re bringing in Uncle Judge for this?Judge is our father’s little brother.He’s also one of the founding members of the band, IndieCent Vows.He’s been up our asses for months, trying to convince us to cut ties with some of our associates, including a loan shark and wanna-be mob boss from The Drift.Not that it’s any of his business.Now, Jagger wants him to play at an event?The suggestion feels like it’s out of left field, but I kind of like it.Helps it stand out from some of the other bonfires we’ve had.We could even charge an entrance fee.
Nah.Nah, what am I thinking?This needs to stay free.
Sensing my hesitancy, Roman chimes in, “What’s the point of having a rockstar for an uncle if you can’t exploit the connection?”
“It would definitely make a statement,” Hawke adds.
I scoff.“To everyone, including Daddy Dearest.”
Jagger scrubs his hand over his face.“We’ll worry about Titas later.”
With a muted thwump, Hawke’s hand smacks against my shoulder.“One fire at a time, baby brother.”
Don’t I know it.
“Speaking of our sperm donor,” I mutter.“Anyone talk to Cobie lately?”
Jagger frowns.“What about her?”
“Where is she?”Hawke adds, looking around the main floor as if she might pop out from behind the couch.
“At your uncle’s,” Roman answers.
“Oh.”Hawke settles.“What about her, Ford?”
“Titas convinced her to hold an auction for charity,” I explain.
“Yeah, Violet mentioned it,” Jagger replies.“What kind of auction is it, anyway?Do we need to donate anything?”
“Other than your girlfriend?”I interject.
His eyes bulge.“What?”
“You didn’t know?”My respect for Violet goes up a solid two points.I tilt my head, barely holding in my mirth.“It’s a dating auction, big brother.”
“You gotta be kidding me.”
“He’s not,” Roman confirms.
Shaking his head, Jagger reaches for his phone, probably to text his girlfriend.“Gonna kill her.”
Sure, he will.
“When is it?”Hawke asks.
I shrug.“No idea?—”
“The auction’s next Friday,” Roman answers.“I already told Cobie we’d be there to show our support.”
I can’t help my groan.It’s not that I don’t love my baby sister and want to support her.And yeah, seeing Jagger with his panties in a twist will be entertaining, but another fundraiser?With everything else going on, I can think of a solid dozen other ways I could spend my time that would be more fruitful.“Why?”I ask.“Can’t I just throw her a couple grand?”
“Not how this works.”Roman smacks me upside the head.“One, because your sister asked, and two, because she needs impulsive high-rollers like yourself to make bids if she’s going to hit her goal.”
