Page 112 of The Way We Collide

“Yes, but he’ll want to verify where you’d like the funds sent and other things, I don’t know. He’ll tell you.”

Raven’s lips twist, but she doesn’t argue. “I assume he’ll be in his office tomorrow?”

“I can have him come to the house if you’d like.”

“I can go to him. I’d like to wrap this up as soon as possible.”

“Of course,” he huffs. “You can never get out of here fast enough, can you?”

Her shoulders drop, and she crosses the space. She puts a hand on her father’s chest and gentles her tone. “I love you, Dad. I’m just not interested in being a jeweler.”

“Trust me, you’ve made that abundantly clear.”

Her lips press into a frustrated half-smile, and she rises ontoher toes to kiss his cheek. “I’m sorry we don’t see eye to eye on this, but I hope one day you’ll understand.”

“We had a plan, Raven Lorrain.”

“Youhad a plan, Dad. I was never consulted on it.” She returns to where I’m standing. “Let’s find Amelia. I want to see my baby.”

“I’ll be right behind you.”

She walks out at a pace that I recognize as anger, and I turn to the two men watching her go. Their eyes meet mine, and I take a step forward.

“I don’t know what’s going on here, and I appreciate that we’ve just met. But I’m going to make one thing clear, and I won’t say it again.” My voice is quiet but firm, and I like that I’m at least an inch taller than both of them. “Raven is my wife, and while she’s clearly strong enough to stand up to you, I don’t like her being made to. So listen up, I’m not going to stand around while you play with her emotions andmanipulateher.” I hit the word hard. “And if I hear either one of you call her Biscuit again, you’re going to wish you hadn’t. You got me?”

Her father’s dark brown eyes narrow, and he places a hand on his midsection, sliding it down his blazer. My shoulders are bowed, and I’m at the point now where I wish one of them would test me.

After several seconds, he lifts his chin and offers a simple “Understood.”

Lawrence Calder O’Halloran scowls, falling back. “I’ve heard enough.”

He turns and leaves quickly through the front door, but I stay a minute, holding her father’s gaze and allowing him to assess my level of seriousness.

His lips quirk, and he nods, dropping his eyes and leaving me alone in the room.

Looking around, I wonder how the heck I’m going to find my girls in this four-story museum. A happy baby squeal gives me a hint.

27

Raven

“He’s always ready to pile on the guilt, isn’t he?” Stomping around Amelia’s old bedroom, I can’t keep the frustrated growl out of my voice. “We had a plan…” I imitate my dad’s pompous tone. “What about my plans? I have never, since Day 1, had a say in anything having to do with my life.”

“At least you found a way out.” Amelia lies on her stomach on the rug, bouncing Axel up to Haddy and booping her on the nose with him.

Haddy squeals and belly-laughs every time she does it, and it’s the one thing strong enough to melt the anger in my chest. I’ve managed to shield my baby girl—and clearly my little sister—from their manipulations.

Hendrix leans against the wall with his muscled arms crossed like some protective god. Amused affection fills his eyes, and I imagine he’s glad he dodged a bullet with this family after coming off the love-fest, party-bus of his own.

I walk over to kneel beside my sister on the floor. “Do you want to work in the family business, Mim?”

“I don’t mind.” She shrugs, pushing into a sitting position facing me. “I’m an accountant, so it’ll just be one boring office or another. I’d rather work at a place where I know everybody and I can do what I want than be at a place that doesn’t give a crap about me.”

Reaching out, I slide a clump of dark curls behind her ear. “I’d argue this place doesn’t give a crap about you.”

“Aww, you’re just grumpy. You know that’s not true.” She smiles up at me. “Dad loves you. He just wants all his little bitties under one roof.”

“Where were those protective urges when Mom was alive?” I grumble, my eyes on Haddy chewing Axel’s gill. “He never said a single word to her.”

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