Page 4 of Marked By Moonlight

The breeze making those red flags flap increased to force 10. Why would Gordon ask Gen when I was much closer?

“What people? Where? When?”

“Next week, in Paris. I think they’re amateur art collectors or something. I didn’t ask.”

I could have screamed,You didn’t ask? How can you be so gullible?But until recently, I would have done the same. Anything for Gordon, our kind, generous godfather. No questions asked.

That was before I learned that the “bodyguards” he’d sent to board at Château Nocturne were mercenaries and that his “business interests” included shady backroom deals.

My stomach churned as I thought back to the little favors Gordon had asked of me in the past. Parties he’d asked me to attend, packages to pick up or drop off. I’d never stopped to think there might be something dubious at work, and I still struggled to believe that now. But after recent events… Well, I’d learned all was not as it seemed with dear old Gordon.

“Why did Gordon ask you instead of me?” I asked.

“Gordon didn’t want to bother you with it. He knows how busy you’ve been.”

He also knew I was the responsible one — and the one on his side of the Atlantic. Clearly, he wanted to keep this a secret from me.

“Who are you supposed to meet? Why?” I asked.

“Gordon was going to give me the details later. But don’t worry. I’ll call him to say I couldn’t make it.”

That wasn’t the part I worried about.

“Unless…” she hinted.

“Unless I offer to help instead of you?” I filled in.

I had no intention of offering any such thing, and yet I already knew I would. Better me than my gullible, trusting sister.

“What else do you know about this?” I asked.

Not a hell of a lot, as it turned out, making for a short conversation.

“But don’t worry—”

Ha. The more she said that, the more I did.

“—I’ll call Gordon and explain,” she finished.

“Don’t!” I practically shouted, then cleared my throat and tried again in a normal tone. “Don’t. I was planning to make a trip to Paris later this week. I’ll discuss it with him then.”

I’d been planning no such thing, but it bought me time to think.

“You think he’ll be mad?” Gen asked.

I could see her sad-puppy face now. It didn’t work on me, but it would work on Gordon.

“No,” I sighed.

Not only would Gordon not be mad, he would go to great lengths to console her. Tickets to the opera…VIP entry to the opening of a new art exhibit…Gordon was incredibly generous in that way.

“I’m really sorry,” Gen went on. “I know the château is taking every minute you have—”

Mostly, yes, but I’d also been shagging Marius every spare moment I found. I’d never really believed in destiny, but sinceinsatiable lustwas one of the signs, well…

“—and I swear I’ll make it up to you.”

“Youwillmake it up to me,” I said firmly. “The second you get your ass over here.” Then inspiration hit me, and I sweetened the deal. “Clement is back in Auberre, you know. And single.”