Page 19 of A Corruption Dark & Deadly

“How much more does he need?” Jericho asked, no trace of annoyance in his tone. He was asking the question just to ask.

Annie blinked, surprised that he seemed to be open to hearing what she had to say. “Um,” she said, reaching up to cup the back of her head. “Five grand.”

“Five grand?” he asked, placing an index finger on the tip of his chin. “Hmm.” He cocked his head to the side. “Did he tell you how he would pay me back? And when?”

Annie shook her head, a slight wince to her facial features. Of course he didn’t. Why would he tell her something as helpful as that? Probably because he didn’t plan to pay Jericho back anytime soon. Maybe he thought he was owed some money anyway, since the value of the house was worth way more than fifty grand. But if that were the case, he should have asked for that before signing away the deed.

Why was her brother such an idiot? Why was she still helping him?

“Hmm,” he repeated.

“You don’t…”

He gave her a smile. “Eat your breakfast, Ms. Brennan,” he told her. “You are the last person that be stressing over this.”

Annie nodded and took a bite of the potato. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head.

Oh, my God. That was delicious.

“You seem stressed,” he said, his eyes going over her face. “What can I do to ease your troubles?”

“It’s not your responsibility,” she told him with a bite of food still in her mouth. “I honestly wish Bruce would just get his shit together and figure it out on his own.”

“I’ll cut him a check,” Jericho finally said. “I’ll give it to him tonight.”

Annie was so surprised, she held off on plopping another bite of potato in her mouth. “You – why?” she asked.

“Because I know what it’s like to have an impossible dream,” he said. “I’d like to ask you a favor, though. If I give him this check, I’d like you to accompany me to a Gala this weekend. I’ll pay for a new dress, everything. It’s for a domestic abuse charity I really like. It would be just a few hours of your time. What do you say? Please?”

It was the please that was her undoing. He would cut Bruce another check for a few hours of her time. She could do that.

“Okay,” she agreed in a meek voice before turning back to her breakfast.