Politics. Escorts. Blackmail. Read Free Page B

that?”
    “I said that.”
    “You know I make enough money. I wouldn’t do that just to get some extra cash from a client. He’s the problem, not me. What I didn’t tell you is that Bailey’s guilty of escort bonding. He said he loves me,” Midori explained.
    “When did he say that?”
    “A while ago.”
    “See, that’s something you should’ve told me as soon as it happened. I wouldn’t have assigned you to him. He’s good money, but he won’t be requesting you again, I guarantee you that. He’s no longer a client. I smell trouble.”
    “Okay.”
    “What’s up with you and Virgil, your little whiz kid from MIT? Please tell me you two aren’t still serious?”
    “It’s coming along.”
    “And he still doesn’t know what you do?”
    “No. He thinks I’m a Realtor.”
    “It’s too close for comfort, Midori. He’s Senator Ellington’s stepson.”
    “Yes. And that’s something I wanted to talk to you about. See, the other night, Virgil was talking about playing around on the computer. He’s doing this tech job and with his IT training, he said he knows how to hack into e-mail. He’s talking—well, joking—about hacking into Mayor Graves’s personal e-mail account.” She gave a slim laugh.
    Money shook her head. “Midori, that geeky mama’s boy is looking for something on Mayor Graves that would embarrass him and his family and cause damage to his political career. That’s called blackmail, not a joke or prank. And he’d do it just so his own mother can be First Lady, and you know I’m right. But he could also do years in prison for wire fraud and identity theft, and more. He really thinks he’d be able to get away with something like that?”
    Midori replied, “He wouldn’t really do it. He was just talking. Sometimes he acts like he’s a young Bill Gates or something.” She laughed again, a nervous laugh.
    Money kept a straight face. “I see nothing funny. What the hell is it you see in a nerd like him, anyway?”
    “He’s nice.”
    “Look at you, Midori, still looking for your knight in shining armor? Still looking for love to take you away, like in the movie Pretty Woman , huh? You’re a love junkie.”
    “No, I’m not.”
    “It’s sad that your little boyfriend has no idea that the dirt he’ll uncover could be his own. If he goes through with this, he’d not only uncover evidence linking Mayor Graves to escorts, but he’d open a whole ugly can of worms that would expose his stepfather’s other life. I’m sure nobody knows that Ellington pays for sex. Not only would it expose him, but Lip Service as well. And that’s not gonna happen. I won’t let it. Virgil had better watch himself. Your boyfriend’s so busy trying to blackmail the enemy, he’ll end up destroying his own political family.”
    “I’ve got him, Money.”
    “Yeah, well, you’d better.”
    “I do.”
    “Handle it.”
    “I will.” Midori then asked, “How’d you know about the room being torn up? I mean, did the hotel complain or did he tell you that mess?”
    Money only said, “Don’t try to change the subject. Look at me.”
    Midori did.
    “You’d better handle this, and quick before I have someone else handle him. I’ve been at this for years, and I have a lot to lose. My clients have a lot to lose. I’m not going to let anyone ruin this. If you don’t fix it, I’ll do it myself with one phone call.”
    “I’m begging you, no. Please tell me you wouldn’t do anything to Virgil.”
    Money crossed her leg toward her. “Midori, just because you’re my sister, doesn’t mean I’m going to let you fuck this up. We’re deep in New York City politics, and right now, there’s porn and kinky sex on tons of government computers as we speak. It’s the perfect place to make money for the service we can provide. And it’s gonna stay perfect. Before I let some amateur, sorry-ass blackmail scheme happen, I’ll do what I have to do.”
    Midori was silent.
    Money continued, “You