Page 61 of Stolen Vows

“What?” My brow quirks up.

He shakes his head. “Nothing.” A minute later, he leans over to me while everyone else is engaged in conversation. “Hey, bro, I need a favor.”

Curiosity pricks against the back of my neck. “What kind of favor?”

“Your favorite kind.”

I arch a single brow and lean back in my chair. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with you calling an attorney last week, would it?”

He shakes his head, his lips twisting to the side. “Jesus, Graham. Get a fuckin’ hobby and stop hacking people.”

I lift a shoulder in a noncommittal shrug and look around. Everyone else is still engaged in conversation or busy with their food. It’s not like anyone is looking to make a lot of eye contact with me today. I guess I’m not covering my emotions all that well today.

I scoff. “Thatismy hobby.”

“Then get a new one,” he grits through his teeth. “Are you going to help me or not?”

My gaze narrows on his plate with a frown. This is the perfect opportunity. I know if I get my brother to back me, then everyone else will go along with it. Maybe not completely, but if Beau supports me, then they won’t be as quick to question it.

“Fine. But then I need something from you too.”

“Fine, whatever. I need you to expedite something for me and do a background check. Pull everything you can. I don’t know if I’ll need it, but I want it in my back pocket just in case,” Beau says quickly, like he’s afraid I’m going to say no.

I study my brother, my intuition flaring hot. There’s something going on here, probably something to do with either the woman next to him or the Gauntlet. “That’s two favors.”

He narrows his gaze at me. “Are you serious right now?”

I huff a little, playing it up. My software can do everything he requested in an hour. I don’t have to pull things manually anymore, but he doesn’t know that.

“Fine. Who?”

He glances at Eloise, before whispering, “Darla Hawthorne.”

I level my expression, keeping it neutral. I already have a good idea of what he’s looking for. And if it’s anything close to what I found in Francesca’s files, I would’ve done it without asking for anything in return. Because some battles aren’t just about one person. They’re about setting the whole damn playing field right.

I glance over his shoulder at Eloise and murmur, “Consider it done.”

Cora pushes back her chair, the loud scrape pulling me from my thoughts. “I’m going to grab dessert,” she announces with a smile.

Eloise’s sister pops up from the seat next to Mom. “Can I help?”

Cora smiles at her, motioning her to come along. “Of course. I’d love the help.”

As I watch Cora and Eloise’s sister head to the kitchen, my mind churns with the weight of my impending decision. The easy rhythm of our Carter family dinner flows around me. The clink of silverware on China, the rich scent of Mom’s lasagna, the warm laughter and overlapping conversations. It’s a familiar comfort, a weekly ritual that grounds me no matter what storms are raging in my life.

But tonight, that comfort is tempered by the sharp press of responsibility against my ribs. An urgent need to act, to protect, to claim what’s mine before it’s too late.

My dad’s words echo in my head.“She fits right in.”

Francesca doesn’t have this. Not really. Her family isn’t a home. It’s a chessboard, and she’s always waiting for the next attack.

But they didn’t count on me. If she’s the queen, then I’m the rook. Steady. Unyielding. I’ll protect her flank, move in ways they won’t expect. I’ll be the reason she doesn’t have to fight alone anymore.

As they disappear into the hallway, I lean toward Beau. “Hey, I need that favor now.”

Beau’s head snaps toward me, his brows knitting together. “What?Now?”

I nod my head a few times, my jaw tight with tension. “Yeah. I need you to back me up.”

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