“Couldn’t agree more,” Jack said. Not only were Henry and Marquita key business customers for Joy Delivered, they were like family. Jack had worked closely with the couple for years, and even donated half the proceeds from one of his company’s products, a small pink pocket-sized vibrator, to breast cancer research, in honor of Marquita. Jack would go to battle with this guy and fight for him on a personal level alone. Add in the business ties they shared, and Jack was all in.

There was real cause for concern from the domino-like effect of a potential shut down. Henry and Marquita’s reputation for carrying the best selection of vibrators was unrivaled. They were tastemakers in the business of pleasure. Where Henry and Marquita went, so went others. Many online retailers often stocked products based on what the Eden couple showcased and recommended. But on top of that, Jack didn’t like that Conroy was going after one of his business partners with a scare tactic.

“Besides, Conroy’s totally wrong with the whole the-clubs-are-seedy line. Henry runs the most prestigious BDSM clubs in New York. Have you seen the patrons?” Casey lowered her voice to a whisper, even though it was only the two of them. “They’re all New York’s elite. One of the state senators is a member. I bet Conroy has no clue that the good Senator likes to be whipped and flogged by pretty ladies.”

Jack laughed. “Bondage and dominance is a God-given right. And so is battery-operated assistance. Anyway, I want to help them because it’s the right thing to do for them, and because helping them helps us. Henry’s backing his brother-in-law, of course, and he’s asking if we can get behind him too.”

Casey slammed a fist onto the arm of the purple couch. “I’ll stage a march on anyone who dares to keep floggers and whips out of the bedroom.”

“Or sex dungeons, as the case may be,” Jack said dryly.

“That too,” Casey said, her blue eyes wide and enraged. “You should be able to do whatever you want between consenting adults in a sex dungeon without politicians getting involved. Want me to make signs? Picket? Launch a PR campaign?”

Jack pushed his hands down, as if to say let’s take it slow. “One step at a time. For now I think it’s best if we stay off the radar, and Henry agrees. I think we should put up some money and see if that can help Denkler regain some traction with his schools-and-safe-streets campaigns. Get the focus off the clubs, since that’s not what it’s about, but in so doing, we protect them and Henry’s business, and our business. And the real issues become important ones again.”

She nodded. “Absolutely. I don’t want anyone messing with our business, Jack,” she said. While Joy Delivered was their company and he loved every second of running it, the partnership had started with his sister. She’d approached Jack about joining forces after she graduated from business school.