not fighting over something usually stupid.â
âDo people really smuggle in drugs and stuff?â she asked over her wineglass.
âThereâs always a way to get something, if the price is right,â he answered truthfully, slicing into the tender sirloin.
Ivana paused and leaned forward. âIs homosexuality really a big problem in prison?â
âIvana!â Trey glared. âDonât go there.â He thought it might be going too far to delve into that sordid part of the prison culture. Especially if it was something that Clyde didnât feel comfortable talking about. Trey understood that one had to survive behind bars any way necessary.
âI donât mind responding.â Clyde smiled crookedly. âYeah, itâs a big problem. But not for me. I donât play that game and made it clear right from the start. No one messed with me after that.â
âIâm glad to hear.â Ivana sipped her drink thoughtfully.
âMaybe I could ask you a couple of questions?â Clyde put forth.
âGo ahead,â she said evenly. âItâs only fair.â
Clyde tasted the wine, eyeing Trey for tacit approval.
Trey nodded, figuring Clyde was probably just as curious about his wife as she was about him . He hoped the questions wouldnât make Ivana too uncomfortable. Or him, for that matter.
âWhere are you from?â Clyde asked her. âI think Trey said you met in New York.â
âI grew up in San Antonio.â
âYou still got family there?â
Ivana wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. âMy mother and stepfather.â
âA friend of mine is from San Antonio,â Clyde pointed out. âI told him Iâll have to check it out sometime.â
âBe my guest. Just be prepared for the awful, dry summer heat. Not to mention those pesky insects.â
âThanks for the warning.â
âI like it there,â Trey said, though Ivana clearly could take it or leave it. âIn fact, Iâm thinking about possibility expanding my business interests to the southwest.â
âOh, yeah?â Clyde looked at him.
âThough times are tough, people still need to get where theyâre going, and the vehicle is still the most affordable, safest transportation around.â
âI say go for it,â Clyde voiced. âIf anyone can get folks there into the car-buying mood, Iâm sure itâs you.â
âWonât be for a couple of years though,â Trey downplayed it. He could almost see relief in Ivanaâs face. As it were, he would never make such a business move that involved committing his time and resources without consulting her first. While he had found much of his success before they got married, Trey believed that marriage was a true partnership, even outside the household. All he wanted was for Ivana to be happy, whatever it took.
By the time things began to wind down, Trey had made a snap decision that he felt made perfect sense. Over the rim of his wineglass, he said in earnest, âClyde, until you figure out what you want to do with your life, Iâd like you to work for me.â
Clyde cocked a brow. âDoing whatâselling cars? Or maybe you see me filling bags with popcorn at one of your theaters?â
Trey chuckled without humor. âNeither, exactly.â
âThen exactly what?â
âIâd like you to start off as my right-hand manâassistant, or whatever you want to call it. Youâll report directly to me inââ
âThanks but no thanks,â Clyde said flatly. âNot interested in being your errand boy.â
âNeither am I,â Trey assured him, not entirely surprised at the reaction, knowing his brother and the pride thing. âIâll teach you the ropes of the car business and you can go as far as you want.â
âThatâs not really my thing.â
âSo maybe it can be,â Trey
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