Bidding On The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 8) by Christina Tetreault Page A

with his nephew. For him, he could deal with his brother’s harassment.
    Addie nudged her husband in the side with her elbow. “Leave him alone. It’s for a good cause.”
    “Good cause or not, I would’ve made a generous donation before ever getting up on stage. What if the highest bidder is someone like Tasha Marshall or Zoe Laurent? There’s no way I’d survive four dates with either of those two. What the hell will you do if you end up the prize for one of them?”
    Since he’d arranged it already so it would never happen, he had nothing to worry about. Trent didn’t know his plan, and he couldn’t risk telling even his brother about his and Brooklyn’s arrangement. The more people in on a secret, the greater chance of it getting out.
    “I’ll survive if they do,” Derek said, playing it off as if he wasn’t bothered by the possibility.
    “Either you lost your mind or you’ve figured out a way to get out of the event before it happens. My money is on the first,” Trent said.
    In his arms, Kendrick started fussing, and Derek took that as his cue to leave. “I think this sound means someone needs you,” he said, carrying Kendrick over to Addie.
    “He probably needs a change.” She took the baby from him before she said, “I can show you how. You never know when you might need to know.”
    He loved his nephew and would do anything for him, but he drew the line at changing diapers. “Thanks, but I doubt I’ll need that particular skill anytime soon.”
    “Don’t say I didn’t offer.” She glanced over at Trent. “Since he needs a change anyway, I’m going to give him his bath too.”
    Before she left, Derek gave Addie a kiss on the cheek. “I’m going soon. I’ll see you later.”
    “I’ve got some advice for you. Be sure you pick out something to match your eyes for the auction. If you need help shopping, I’m sure Addie will help you,” Trent said once his wife left.
    Derek stifled a groan. Until the damn event happened, he suspected his brothers would be constantly giving him a hard time about it. Of course, if Trent were the one participating, he wouldn’t be able to resist either. “Shut up, Trent.”
    “Are they going to record the event so I can watch it later?”
    Dear God, he hoped not. “No idea.” He started walking away. Now seemed as good a time as any to go and visit Gray. With any luck, he hadn’t heard about how their loving and caring aunt had trapped him into the fundraiser. However, since Trent knew, there was a decent chance Gray did too. The joys of a close-knit family.
    “If not, maybe Addie can record it for me with her phone.”
    Trent’s comment stopped him. “Addie’s going? Who else will be there?” Great, just what he needed, all his female relatives in attendance to witness perhaps the most degrading moment of his life.
    “Courtney.”
    Well, her presence made sense. Aunt Marilyn was her mom.
    “Callie and Leah plan on going too,” Trent said, naming two more of their cousins. “Of course Abby will be there.”
    Several of his cousins and his stepmother in attendance, wonderful. Maybe all his female relatives should go and turn it into a family affair.
    “Fantastic. I’m sure one of them will record it for you if you ask.” Derek didn’t wait for a response.
     
    ***
     
    Derek exited the elevator and stifled a yawn. He’d spent the last three hours with his brother watching Terminator and eating pizza. Only once during the entire time did Gray mention the auction, and then it’d only been to let him know their stepmom had invited Kiera to join her. Thankfully Kiera had to work, so at least one less person he considered family would be there.
    “Have a nice night, Mr. Sherbrooke,” Dion said from where he still sat at the security desk in the lobby.
    “You too.” Derek headed for the stairwell door, which led down to the parking garage, but it opened before he reached it.
    “I believe tonight’s show was the best performance of Hamlet