Deadly Daggers by Joyce & Jim Lavene

Author:Joyce & Jim Lavene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2010-07-26T04:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

I could totally tell he was getting the wrong idea from the check. I went across the room, smiling, and took it from him. “It was something stupid.”

“Okay. Something stupid like what?” He gave me the pouch to go with the check, then folded his arms across his chest. “Before you tell me, I should warn you that Morgan bought off the last two women who were serious in my life.”

Now he tells me! “Chase, this isn’t that much money. I mean, it is a lot of money, but I’m not going to take it. I made that very clear to him when he gave it to me.”

“Why do you still have it if you don’t plan to take it, Jessie?”

I could tell his feelings were hurt. I should’ve remembered to throw the stupid check into a trash can before this. “I don’t know. I forgot about it. There’s been a lot going on. But that doesn’t mean I meant to take it. I wouldn’t still be here if I was going to let him buy me off.” It suddenly occurred to me what he’d said. “What do you mean the last two women who were serious in your life? Was that something recent?”

“Let’s stay focused on my brother offering you money to leave me. Then we can argue about past relationships, although that has to include your past relationships, too. And considering I only have three relationships I can discuss, that means you’re going to be doing most of the talking.”

I thought about it and knew he was right. I wouldn’t consider any of my previous romances with men in the Village as serious, but that’s why I’d always avoided discussions of past loves. “If it would make you feel better, I’ll rip up the check right now and that’ll be it.”

“Okay. I have a trash can right here.” He held it up.

I looked at the number written on the check. It was so much money. I could think of so many things to do with that kind of money. Not that it really mattered. I wouldn’t leave Chase for a big check, even twice this amount.

“Well?”

“I’m looking at it.” I smiled at him. “I might never see a check this big again unless I get shot at the university and they have to buy me off because I’ve told them their security is lax. It’s a lot of money. I know it probably doesn’t seem like that much to you. But where I come from, it’s a whole lot of money.”

“I know. And I wouldn’t ask you not to take it.”

I suddenly had a thought. “How about if I take it and stay with you anyway? We can really stick it to the man, in this case your brother. I could buy my house, and we could thumb our noses at your family while I enjoy their money.”

“I don’t think so. Nice try, though. I’m afraid it’s either me or the money. Your choice.”

I sighed and almost rubbed my cheek affectionately against the check, but realized that might be too much.

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