Page 40 of Marcus: Sins of the Father

I huff a laugh. “That’s a really nice gift. But Brandy invited me to a party.”

“A party, huh? What kind of party?”

“Her family is having a Christmas party. She asked me to go with her.”

Crash’s eyes hit Shannon’s, and he downs his drink. “I see. Well, if that’s what you want, I don’t see a problem with it.”

“Thank you. Really. I appreciate it.” Leaning my elbows on the bar, I stare at the scared wood and a grin tugs at my mouth. I can’t believe how easy that was.

“Marcus.” I hear Shannon’s soft voice, and turn. “You do realize what you’re getting into, don’t you?”

Her words take me by surprise. So much so that I sit up straight. “What do you mean?”

“Honey, that girl’s rich.”

“What?” I screw my face up. “Shannon, Brandy is not rich. She works at a bar. I mean, she has a nice apartment and all, but she’s no heiress.”

“Well, if she doesn’t come from money, she’s robbed a bank. Her jeans are 7s. Her top is Ramy Brook. Her shoes are Jimmy Choo. Her hair and nails are fab, and her jewelry is the real deal.”

“So she has nice clothing. So what? Maybe she just has expensive taste.” I tilt my beer back, taking another swig, but a ripple of dread runs up my spine.

“That’s not just expensive taste, Marcus. She’s wearing well over twenty grand. Hell, her bracelet alone is about fifteen.”

I choke on my beer. “Wha-what?”

“Hun, I came from money. Trust me. I can spot it a mile away.” She points her bottle at me. “If you’re invited to a family Christmas party, dollars-to-donuts, it’s going to be a big affair. Just giving you a heads up, honey.”

“Thanks,” I say, still not sure if I believe what she’s telling me. None of this makes sense.

Brandy returns and stands against my side. My arm goes around her, and she presses against me, grabbing her beer for a drink.

I catch her eyes. “Got permission to go to that party you asked me about.”

A huge smile breaks across her face, lighting it up and melting my insides. She’s so pretty. Sometimes it hurts to look at her.

“That’s wonderful. Oh, I’m so happy.”

Shannon leans around me to inform her. “You’ll have to help clean him up a bit. I doubt Marcus has anything but these old jeans and boots.”

“Well, it’s black tie, so…” Her voice fades away, replaced by a buzzing in my head.

The two women chat away, but it’s all a blur, because I’m too busy noticing all the things Shannon pointed out. The outfit, the shoes, the jewelry that does, in fact, look like the real deal. My stomach sinks.

Jesus Christ.

I stand and take Brandy’s hand. “Let’s go talk.”

Her smile fades a bit, but she follows, wiggling her fingers at Shannon.

I don’t even know where I’m headed. I glance toward the door, but Brandy’s in a skimpy top and the temperature is dropping. Turning, my eyes hit the door that leads into the back hallway toward the offices, and ultimately out to the old manufacturing side of the building.

Tugging her in that direction, I cut a path through the crowd. Once we’re on the other side of the door in the dim hall, the noise dissipates.

I back her to the wall. “Why weren’t you honest with me?”

“What do you mean?” A small line forms between her brows.

“You’re rich, aren’t you?”

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