I’d thought his betrayal was in the past, but now that she accompanied him, it was in the present—and it was hard not to think about. My love for my brother outweighed my hate, but I did still hate him because of this. “How’d it go?”

His answer was blunt. “I don’t like him.”

“You don’t like anyone, Magnus.” Except ugly cunts.

Magnus ignored the insult and told me all the reasons why dealing with Napoleon was a bad idea.

All he ever had were reasons not to do something. I was used to it.

“We have enough money, Fender. Risking the empire we have isn’t worth—”

“That empire can grow into a regime—if we work for it.” I wanted this enterprise to exist outside of France, expand into the other European countries, even into Russia if I could make that happen. It didn’t stop here. When we were big enough, we would take on the Skull King in Italy.

His eyes filled with irritation. “We have enough money.”

“No amount of money is enough. Not unless it’s all the money.”

“I have more than I can spend in a lifetime—”

“Well, I don’t.”

He fell silent.

“Napoleon is a good partner. He can increase our distribution.”

“I told you I don’t trust him.”

“We don’t trust anybody.”

He took a deep breath then pushed it out of his flared nostrils. “Why would someone like him work for someone like us—”

“Me. Everyone works for me—including you.”

His annoyance was impossible to hide, but he didn’t voice it. “I don’t think he’s right for us. We will find someone else.”

“And you won’t like that someone else either.”

Magnus took a long pause, simmering underneath the surface. “I know it’s difficult for you to see, but I’m doing everything I can to protect your back when you’re looking the other way. I want to preserve everything you’ve built. I want to preserve what we’ve accomplished—because I know how important it is to you.”

I believed every word, but I was in a foul mood since she was in the city.

“Why did you ask me to screen him if you don’t value what I say?”

“For a couple reasons.” I grabbed my glass and took a drink. “And you know what those reasons are, Magnus.”

Guilt flooded his gaze.

“Fender?” Melanie’s voice came to me from the foyer.

“Chérie, in here.” I kept my gaze on my brother but instantly responded to her call.

She stepped into the room, wearing one of my t-shirts that fit her like a dress. She obviously didn’t expect me to be with company because she wouldn’t have dressed that way if she’d known.

I thought she looked exquisite.