Page 62 of Just One More Moment

Raven glanced at Remy and they exchanged, what she thought, was silent dialogue.

I don’t want to talk about the details and relive it, she thought.

But he’s your brother and deserves to know.Remy’s golden eyes held hers.

“Sure,” she murmured to Caleb. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?” she offered. Stalling.

He shook his head.

“Why don’t you two go talk in the living room?” Remy suggested. “I’m going to go take care of some things in my office. Give you two time alone.”

Caleb shot him a grateful glance, then wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Together they walked to the big room and took seats on the sofa.

She curled a leg beneath her, facing him. “Don’t you have to work today?” she asked.

“Took the day off when you called and before you give me a hard time, don’t argue about it. It’s fine. I’m a partner, remember?”

She grinned. “Did I ever tell you how proud I am of you? My brother, the real estate mogul.”

Instead of smiling back, a crease formed between his eyebrows. “Is it that hard to talk about?”

Her shoulders slumped at being caught deflecting. “It’s the reliving it. For all my pushing to make myself bait… I wasn’t as prepared as I thought.”

“Hey. Are you kidding? You are here, alive, unhurt… for the most part.” He ran a finger over the bruises on her cheek she’d seen in the mirror earlier. “I’d say you handled yourself and Lance just right.” He winced as he said his twin’s name. “But I’ll give you a break and go first. There’s another reason I didn’t go into the office.”

“Lance,” she murmured. Because… what else?

He blew out a rough breath and nodded. “I agreed to go with Mom to see Lance at the precinct.”

She leaned forward, covering his hand with hers. No way would she be angry with him for being there for his mother or sibling.

“I understand,” she told him. “Lance isn’t just your brother, he’s your twin.” As much as she loved Caleb, she’d always known there was a chance that one day, Lance would get to him. Make him feel guilty and…

“Hey.” Caleb’s voice interrupted her flow of thought. “Whatever you’re thinking, that’s not it. I’m withyou, Raven. I always told you that. I told Lance he was dead to me.” He dipped his head and his voice was sad and resigned.

She gasped. “You did that for me?”

“I did it for all of us. You, me, and Owen.”Especially Owen.

Raven heard the words he didn’t say and that, she understood. He needed to protect his precious boy. But she was still shocked. For all Lance had done in the past, Caleb hadn’t cut his brother off. He might not have spoken to him that she knew of, but the connection, the relationship, had existed. Apparently, no longer.

“What about… Mom? I mean, Cassandra?” Old habits died hard, Raven supposed. The woman had raised her, after all. “I’m sure she pressured you to stand by your brother and turn your back on me.”

In fact, Raven assumed she’d be hearing from Cassandra very soon and she’d find a way to twist last night and blame it on her.

“Mom tried but I laid down the law. If she wants to see her grandson, she needs to lay off you. No contact, no threats, nothing.”

Raven parted her lips as Caleb dealt yet another surprise. “You did that for me?”

“I did one better.” A soft smile lifted his lips. “I told her that she couldn’t support Lance, not with a lawyer or any other way. He’s a sociopath who deserves to rot in jail. If I find out otherwise, she’s out of mine and Owen’s life. For good.”

As his words settled, Raven studied him, the bloodshot eyes and sorrowful lines around his mouth. They’d pass and he’d be happy again. She intended to make certain of it.

“Did she agree?”

He answered with a curt nod of his head. “I said it all in front of Lance and she walked out of the room beside me. I watched her get into her car.”

Wow. “Are you okay?” she asked.

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