Free Recipe For Seduction (A Madewood Brothers Novel) (Entangled Brazen) by Gina Gordon Page A

lucky they were—and how, if you have the means to change someone’s life for the better, you should do it.
    Cole looked up from the table right at Finn. The usual brooding mien that masked his brother’s every move had been replaced with a desperation unlike he’d ever seen before. This murder had hit Cole hard. To the very core of his being.
    “Let’s take some time,” Finn said. Mr. Mediator to the rescue . Again . “Let’s get some proposals together.”
    “Hell. Even Jack was more prepared than this,” Neil said with a grunt.
    Finn glared across the table at him. He wasn’t helping. Neil nodded in acknowledgment. He’d shut up now.
    Jack had transformed immensely over the last year. Thanks to his bride-to-be, Sterling, of course. But he’d also come a long way all on his own, and had solidified his place as the fund-raiser of the group. Which was probably why Cole was so angry.
    “Why don’t you get Penn to help you brainstorm some new fund-raisers and get a business proposal ready that Jack can take back to the lawyers and the accountant?” Finn suggested. This was all moving too fast for his liking. He couldn’t get on board with an idea born out of emotional distress. He peered over at Jack, who hadn’t lifted his gaze from the floor for the last two minutes. “Jack, are you willing to do that?”
    Jack nodded. “Yeah.”
    “I already have the start-up costs covered.” Cole dropped his papers on the table with a thunk .
    “You’re going to use your own money for this?” Neil’s expression gave away his distaste.
    “Why not? Mom left us with enough money to live ten lifetimes.”
    “How much money are you willing to give up to make this happen?” Finn asked.
    Without hesitation, Cole answered, “As much as it takes.”
    His answer told Finn everything they needed to know. Cole was desperate and not thinking clearly.
    “Fool.” Neil leaned forward, kicking out one leg in front of him and letting his chest rest on the chair back.
    Gloria just sat there in shock. She’d probably never seen them so tense with one another. She’d no doubt never seen Cole so…passionate about a topic, either.
    And this discussion had the potential to erupt to a level even Finn wouldn’t be able to control.
    Time for Mr. Mediator to rein them all in. “We’re tabling this idea for now. Meanwhile, let’s all think seriously about how we can make it happen.”
    “Whatever.” Cole grunted, swiped up his documents, and stormed out of the room.
    Jack stood, but Neil put his hand on his arm to keep him from following. When Cole got into one of his moods it was best to leave him alone. All four brothers carried guilt. They all wrestled with similar demons. But Cole’s seemed to be the darkest and most haunting.
    The back door banged shut after him, and they all cringed.
    “He’s not going to let this go, is he?” Jack asked.
    “Just let him cool down for a couple of days,” Finn said.
    “I’ll text Penn and let her know to expect a ranting phone call or visit.” Neil pulled his phone out of the inner pocket of his suit.
    “Good idea,” Finn answered.
    For some reason, Penn was one of the few people who could talk him down off a cliff. That Cole was smitten was utterly obvious to everyone but himself. The man had issues. Hell, who didn’t?
    Gloria rustled inside her purse. “I expected this meeting to be civil, and I am reluctant to bring this up without Cole here, but the news is just too big to keep a secret.”
    She smiled wide and laid a piece of paper on the table. “The National Philanthropy Association has honored our Jack with the Young Philanthropists Award.”
    “You’re not serious,” Jack said. He picked up the letter and read it over. “Me? A philanthropy award?”
    Neil stood and patted Jack on the back. “Good boy, Jackie. You’ve worked really hard this year. You deserve it.”
    “Wow. This is going to bring really big attention to the foundation and to the Cooking for the