Page 69

Jett’s eyes lit up, his attention locked back on to Marlon, and Aaron inwardly sighed. He never backed down from a fight, and although a physical alteration was out of the question, he could still win the war of words. One thing “bad” people had over “good” ones, lying was second nature.

Marlon droned on about the shelter while Aaron took another sip of his drink, and then he set about putting the spark out in Jett’s eyes before it could start a fire.

“You’re building?” Aaron interrupted.

“What?”

“You said you’re building it. I really underestimated you, Marlon, I didn’t realize you were getting your hands dirty—”

“No, I’m having it built.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I hope you’re paying your workers well.”

“It’s more about the dogs.”

“You’ve got to pay your workers well though. They’re the ones doing it all for no credit.”

“I’m not after credit.”

“Never said you were.”

“I give lots of my earnings to good causes. The less fortunate need it more than me.”

Another aww from the crowd, another spark of adoration in Jett’s eyes, and another sip of drink before Aaron said something else to unsettle Marlon and ruin his moment.

“I think anonymous donations are more honorable.”

“What?”

“It means more when your name’s not splashed around the papers, I’m not saying you’re one of those famous types that highlights the good they do for attention, but some of them do. Again, I’m not saying you’re one of them, but some are like that.”

“I’m not like that.”

“Good, good, because this one guy, he conveniently got papped at a hospital, comforting sick children. I mean, if that wasn’t a publicity stunt, then what is? But exploiting ill children, nothing’s lower, right? Come to think of it, it was an actor, too. You might know him…”

Aaron detected the exact moment Marlon had realized he was talking about him. His obviously staged photo at the hospital, he’d looked too perfect for it to be some random visit. Marlon shuddered, and then his eyes sought the exits.

“Can’t remember his name,” Aaron finished.

“What the papers choose to print is nothing to do with me,” Marlon said.

“I know, the paps are awful. Come to think of it, how did the plans for the dog shelter get in the news?”

Color appeared in Marlon’s cheeks, and he cleared his throat. “I have no idea.”

“Maybe one of your inner circle leaked it. You better watch your back.”

Marlon turned, no longer facing Jett, but squaring up to Aaron. “You give to charity, do you?”

“No, no, no,” Aaron laughed softly.

Marlon puffed up. “Well then—”

“I don’t have the money,” Aaron sighed.

“Don’t have the money, don’t give me that, your suit, that watch on your wrist…”

Aaron looked at his watch, hundreds of thousands of dollars sparkling at him. “It was my dad’s, passed on after he died.”