Page 68 of Nothing to Win

“His mom’s my dad’s sister.”

Wow, okay, she didn’t know that.

Brogan didn’t have a great relationship with his mom.That was too kind a way to put it.His mom abandoned him long before and was no longer a part of his life.

Strained ties with biological family was something they had in common.She’d assumed.Turned out that had been hasty.Family.They talked about hers.Beyond his parents, they hadn’t touched on his.

Her world view was kind of limited.No one could deny that, including her.Until Brogan and Roxie opened up her view, it hadn’t occurred to her to object.In her charitable work, she met people who’d known nothing but misfortune.How could she complain when she lived in luxury by anyone’s standards?

She hadn’t thought much about her parents keeping her locked away.Except others didn’t live that way.It wasn’t any evil plan; her life was just light on the socializing because her parents were old skool.Old, old, old skool.

Crimson opened her eyes to the world.There she put faces to names she’d heard like mythical legends in a storybook.Popular people as part of the “scene,” they lived in the same city and state that she did, yet they’d never met.How could that be?

That was a question for another day.Brogan was so chill.Had she let him down?

“Why didn’t I know that?”she asked, appealing to Brogan.

Carver answered.“You’re supposed to be a front.”

So why should she know?Was that it?Did he want to shut her up or hope they’d admit something else?

“You could have introduced yourself properly.”Keeping their relationship a secret would be odd.“Are you ashamed of your family?”

“Not as much as Brogan,” Carver said and addressed his cousin.“Peyton’s here.”

Brogan replied, “Did she bring him?”

“They’re married.Traditionally people count their spouse as their plus one.”

“That family’s a disgrace,” Brogan said, a familiar snarl in his lip as he scanned the room.

And that was her cue.“Okay, try not to look at everyone with disdain.”She gave him a little more of her weight, encouraging him to remember their role.“We invited them to be here.”

“If we took on our parents’ crimes as our own, there wouldn’t be many innocent parties left,” Carver said.“Peyton loves him, what’s she going to do?Guy’s having issues.”

“Not your issues,” Brogan said like it was the final word.“Cut him loose.”

“That’s Peyton’s call.Unfortunately.”

“You should be advising her.He’s never been her equal.”

“Since when has Peyton listened to any of us?”Carver asked.

“Saw Bann.”Apparently Brogan wanted to change the subject.“He working for you?”

“Any time Zaria’s in the room he’s working.”

Okay, she didn’t know these people.“I’m going to find Roxie.”

“She’s on the terrace,” Carver said.“Zairn’s on his way, they’re about to do their thing.”

Which meant she should stay away?

“I’ll be quick.”

Peeking up at Brogan, she wished for a kiss, but knew better than to ask.Wine in hand, she shared smiles with those she passed on her way out to the terrace.She expected people and expected Roxie; the fully deployed camera and crew were less expected.Equipment had been brought in earlier.It hadn’t really clicked it would lead to step one, two, three and this.

At Crimson was one thing.This was the first time she’d seen Roxie, at this particular party, under the spotlight.