Page 73 of Moonlit Colorado

He shrugged. “All I know is that Lancaster has invested a heck of a lot of money in our developments.”

“Then give his money back. I don’t care. I want to know why someone went after Grace.”

Kip snorted. “Don’t be shortsighted just because the man offended your flavor of the week.”

My jaw clenched tight. So did my fists. “Do not speak about Grace that way.”

“You’re a joke, you know that? You go looking for authenticity in some nowhere town, but what else do you expect to bring back except a gold digger?”

I lunged, grabbing Kip by the shirt. A button popped. The bathroom door swung open at the same moment. “Dane, that’s enough,” Dad said.

Hell.

I let go, and Kip scrambled back from me, trying to smooth down his tie. “Asshole,” he muttered, then stormed out of the bathroom. Leaving just Dad and me.

Dad flipped the lock, because apparently the well-appointed men’s room of this Michelin-rated restaurant was now an extension of Knightly Global. Who knew?

“I expect you and your brother to get along,” Dad said.

“Unless Kip gets a personality transplant, I don’t see us becoming best friends.”

“You don’t have to be close. But people have been asking me why you’re not the best man in his wedding. You’re not even in the wedding party. How do you think that looks?”

“Are you kidding? Kip doesn’t want me anywhere near him. He’s up to something. I’d keep a close eye on him if I were you.”

”I don’t have a need for your advice, Dane. I just need you to act like you respect this family.”

“I don’t respect this family?” I seethed. “When’s the last time Kip visited Mom? He acts like she’s already gone.”

My father betrayed his first hint of emotion. But it disappeared fast. Whenever I’d tried to discuss her illness and prognosis with him, he shut me out. And right now was no different.

“Kip is doing what he’s supposed to. He’s found a partner in life, and believe me when I say nothing is more important. Your mother…” He cleared his throat. “Your mother is the best thing that ever happened to me. If you would do the same, you’d be far better off.”

“If you’re going to push Ainsley Harcourt on me?—”

“No, I’m not. I just remembered that you used to like her, so I thought it was a possibility. Given her family background, she would be a good match. Don’t paint me as an evil villain just because I expect you to grow up and be serious.”

Incredible that he didn’t count my military service or business success asserious. As if I’d just been wasting my time until joining his company.

“Look,” Dad said. “Kip’s marriage has business implications as well as personal ones. We’re in negotiations with Harcourt Hotels for an ownership stake in their holdings. As part of that deal, we would bring our hotel properties under their brand. Including the Silver Ridge resort. You’re part of our executive team, so they need to see you’re an asset instead of a liability.”

An inferno offuck youraged inside me. I wanted to smash my hand against the wall like some punk teenager. The fury of the powerless.

My father and his bullshit. My mother’s illness. Problems that all the money in the world couldn’t fix. It all made me feel so damn powerless, and I couldn’t stand it.

“Sure, Dad. I’ll be a team player,” I said instead.

“Thank you. You’d better get back to your date. She seems like a pleasant girl.” He washed his hands, undid the lock, and left the bathroom.

I almost laughed. What a concession. Grace was the brightest light to appear in my life for a long time. Since Mom’s diagnosis. Maybe since before then.

Is this really what Mom would want, though?I asked myself.Me working for Knightly Global and being miserable?

I didn’t know anymore. But I’d be damned before I turned my back on her and acted like she didn’t matter anymore the way Kip had.

TWENTY-ONE

Grace

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