Page 112 of Inferno

“Yup.What can you do?”

Prissy smiled at her darkly handsome husband and brother-in-law, and felt a renewed appreciation for the wondrous gift of black manhood.

“I hope you fellas are heading downstairs to play poker with the boys,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am,” they confirmed.

“Good, because Magnum wandered up here not too long ago, wanting to know when you two would be ready. I told him not to disturb your bonding session, but he’s really eager to get the game under way.” Her smile turned teasing. “Seems he’s feeling his oats after beating his daddy—”

“What?” Sterling exclaimed, staring at Stan. “You let that boy beat you at poker?”

Stan scowled. “I had a lot on my mind that day.”

Sterling guffawed, giving him a look of grave disappointment. “After everything I’ve taught you, you got beat by an upstart who’s gonna boast and brag till the cows come home. Just for that, I’mreallygonna have to show you no mercy today.”

“You hear that?” Stan complained to Prissy. “See how he treats me, baby?”

Prissy laughed, shaking her head. “Please go easy on him, Sterl, or he won’t be much company over the next few days. You know how he sulks.”

Sterling’s bark of laughter drowned out Stan’s exclamations of protest.

Affectionately tweaking Prissy’s nose, Sterling promised, “Just for you I’ll show him some mercy.”

She smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Sterl.”

“Don’t thank him too soon,” Stan grumbled. “He’s been known to pull a bait and switch, ’cause once he’s seated at that poker table, he becomes a different person. Think Jekyll and Hyde.”

As everyone laughed, Stan crouched down behind the sofa to smile into Prissy’s eyes. “I need a good luck kiss.”

She smiled. “Is that so?”

“Umm-hmm.”

Prissy kissed the tip of his cold nose, then his soft mouth. “There. I gave you two.How’s that?”

“Wonderful.”

“Good. Now go and conquer.”

He grinned.“Aye, milady.”

As he got to his feet, Georgina smiled at Sterling. “I’d wishyougood luck, but everyone knows you don’t need it.”

He winked at her,thengently squeezed her shoulder as he and Stan headed from the room.

Something about the brief yet intimate gesture had Prissy’s eyes narrowing in speculation. Her radar went on full alert as she watched Georgina’s gaze follow Sterling out of the room.

When he was gone, Georgina smiled privately and lowered her head to sip from her mug of hot chocolate.

Prissy stared at her. “What wasthat?”

Georgina met her gaze. “What?”

“That little smile. And theshoulder squeezefrom Sterling. And the way you watched him leave the room just now…” Prissy trailed off, watching as Georgina blushed furiously. “Oh, my God,” she breathed with dawning comprehension. “Did something happen between you andSterling?”

As the other woman dropped her gaze to her cup, Prissy gasped in shock.“Georgie!”

“Shhh!”Georgina darted a nervous glance beyond the foyer to the closed basement door. “I don’t want anyone to hear what we’re talking about, especially Quentin.”