Page 152 of Wild Card

Willow and Chase may have cut Rylee out of their life, but she’s still their sister. Willow is a permanent part of my life. He’s offering me the chance to distance myself and stay clean of possibly throwing Rylee in jail.

“This fucking kills.” I nod my agreement reluctantly.

Finn steps to the corner, making a call, while Ford, Ace, and Major silently communicate their thoughts.

No one wants to back off.

“How do you want to play this?” My stomach twists, knowing I’m no longer in control.

“My guess is, if they haven’t already, the brother and dad will suspect Rylee, too. With recent events, she’s a livewire. It’s important we don’t tip her off. Can’t tell you men what to do, but the less we talk, the better. A few days is all we need.”

Reading between the lines—keep our shit tight.

Finn rejoins us with a sly grin. “Like feeding candy to a baby.”

Robbie returns the smile, shaking his head. “Knew that.”

“What’s up?” I glance between them.

“Max is in. I’ll get the tracking system in play tomorrow and we’re up,” Finn answers.

“Max is in San Diego on special assignment.”

“He’s also found himself with a lot of downtime. He’s been bugging me for something to fill his lulls.”

“That man needs to find a woman.”

“Kinda hard to do when your only relationship is a commitment to the Marines.” Robbie chuckles. “Be glad when he’s ready to get out and come back.”

“Any chance that’s happening soon?”

“Yeah, Finn and I think he’s ready. We’ll dig when he’s here for the wedding.”

“Glad to have him here.” Ford’s comment hangs in the air.

The sensor on the table rings, and the monitor shows Sterling speeding up the road.

“Looks like your future father-in-law is in a hurry.” Major’s amusement is clear as we watch Sterling slam to a stop, exit his car, and bolt up the steps.

He was in Knoxville when Willow called him earlier and has been blowing up my phone wanting updates. His lethal expression softens when the front door opens and Willow falls into his arms.

“I need to get out there.”

“We’ll follow your lead on the conversation,” Robbie advises.

I blow out a breath, going against everything in me, but know it’s for the best until Max gets back to us. “I’ll keep conversation to the basics?—”

I’m cut off by the door smashing open. Sterling’s standing there, his body language harsh, his face hard as stone, and his stormy eyes finding mine.

The mood in the room intensifies.

“What the fuck did my youngest daughter do?”

Willow and the women pile in behind him.

Well, shit. So much for keeping things under wraps.

22

---