Page 61 of Three Reckless Words

Especially because when we were kids, we couldn’t stand each other. Now we’re co-owners of a company. Successful, as Rina pointed out.

She gives a small, unsure smile.

“Just let me know when you’re free, okay? We’ll figure it out.”

“Sure.” I stand, signaling this meeting is over, and thankfully she gets the hint. I guess I gave her enough of what she came for. She doesn’t argue as I lead her back to the front door and out.

I’m still bracing to be hit with a money request the second we’re alone.

“See ya soon, Colt,” she says brightly, giving him another hug. This one seems less awkward, but it still looks like neither of them know what to do with each other.

Colt is all lanky arms and legs she isn’t used to, so she pats his back with hesitant hands.

“See you soon, Mom.”

“Archer. Arch.” She swallows as she looks at me. “Thank you.”

I give her a curt nod, escorting her out, biting my tongue the whole way.

I don’t breathe again until she heads back to her Jeep, gets in it, and pulls away.

Goddamn.

This nightmare could’ve been a lot worse, all things considered.

I exhale slowly, trying to pull all expression from my face—mostly suspicion and frustration. It feels too easy.

Rina coming back like this must mean something’s up, and nothing good.

“Mom seems different,” Colt says as we both watch her drive away. The automatic gates close behind her.

“I guess.”

“Do you think she’s okay?”

“She’s fine, Colt. She came here for you, right?” I clap him on the back before heading back inside.

Never mind different.

For Rina, this was totally out of character, and that’s what gnaws at me.

I don’t know what’s coming, but it feels like another bucketload of chaos.

It turnsout I don’t need to call a meeting to discuss Winnie’s situation.

Dexter is ready to fire full throttle with his starry-eyed St. Louis expansion plan. After Rina leaves and I get my head screwed back on, I head into the Higher Ends office.

We chose the Cardinal Conference Room at our headquarters in Lee’s Summit. With the traffic and everything else that’s happened today, I’m almost five minutes late.

My brothers beat me there, seated with their laptops open, ready to laugh at me. Dex already has the projector on when I walk in.

“You’re late. Is today the apocalypse?” Patton leans back as I shut the door behind me, tilting the chair off its wheels.

“Sit properly before you break your neck, dickhead.”

“You’re never late.”

Dex taps his pen against the large table. “He’s not wrong. What happened? Traffic?”

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