Page 24 of The Spare

"Yeah, you look like it, too," I say.

"Isobel has been so miserable lately that she can't sleep which means I can'teither.I'm up all hours of the night, rubbing her back, her feet, her hips. I just fucked up my drawing for the building on eighteenth street. And she just called me in pain."

"Damn, brother." I swallow the rest of my scotch and suck my teeth. "Sounds bad. Why can't she go get a massage, or have Marianne do it?"

His eye's snap to mine and I feel my balls shrivel tight. "Are you fucking kidding me right now? This isIsobel,Mason. You know better than that."

I tilt my head on a grimace, because, yeah, I certainly do. Poor guy. "So what's the favor?"

I need a smoke.

"I need you to go to tonight's Charitable Hearts Foundation in our place."

"Awwww," I groan, tossing my head back.Fuccck. "Hendrix, please-"

"I don't want to ask you, I really don't. But King Dynasty needs to be represented somehow-"

"What about Father and Madre?" I ask.

"Father just had his colonoscopy this morning, remember?"

I bite my cheek. Unfortunately, I hadn't.

"Did you call Madre to see how it went?" I ask.

He frowns. "No… I figured she'd let us know if something was wrong."

I blink. "Hm. Thought you two were closer than that."

He raises a brow."Madre would let us know if something happened,"he repeats slowly, letting me know he's really not in the mood.

I leave it alone.

Hendrix heaves another deep sigh. "Mason, you know I don't ever ask you to do these appearances. I know you hate them, but to sweeten the deal, and because I'm desperate, you may bring Melody."

His eyes narrow in obvious displeasure at the smile that curves across my face, but my glee is so delicious I don't have a prayer at trying to hide it. My brow arches.

"Really?" I say sarcastically. "Man. Desperate must be right." Standing up, I head to refresh my drink with a pep in my step, suddenly refreshed. "I graciously accept."

Hendrix grunts, pinning me with a stern look that eerily reminds me of Uncle William when he gave me the terms of paying his loan back. "As long as you remember our agreement-"

"I remember our fucking agreement, pendejo. Now go." Rolling my eyes I turn and lean my hips on the counter, raising my glass and taking another sip. "Go home and get some fucking rest before you do something stupid in your sleep deprived state that causes you to get a phone call from Father."

That bit of arrogance seeps through the exhaustion as he regards me. "Might I remind you he's a silent partner now, not the head?"

I scoff.Like that meansanything."You need not remind me, brother. I am well aware of how convoluted your and our father's power dynamic is. Truthfully, I feel sorry for you," I admit. "Butthat's a conversation for another time. Go home to Izzy and get some rest. I'll text you later and let you know how the night goes."

"Alright. Try to have fun tonight? If not for yourself, then try to make it bearable for Melody." He stands, rolling his neck again.

I give him a pat on the back and walk him to my office door. When he's gone I pull out my phone and message Teresa, seeing if she could get something to Melody in time for tonight, and verify that Father is in fact doing okay, and then I message the beautiful woman herself.

Hey Mel, we've been summoned for a mission tonight. -Mase

Her response is almost immediate.

Oh? -Mel

Yes. Our presence is required at the Charitable Hearts Foundation ball. You're going as my date. -Mase