Page 178 of Wild Card

“We’ll talk soon about loosening up some money.”

“Fucking crazy.” The twins share a smirk.

“Willow know your plan?” Dad asks with a wide grin.

“Not yet.”

“You waiting until after the licensing exam on that, too?”

“Hell no. Not waiting until mid-June. These last two weeks have been shit for her and the timing wasn’t right.”

“Your mom and I agree she’s a smart girl. Better not wait too long.”

His implication doesn’t go unnoticed with the group. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“Something Dad and I should know?” Chase asks expectantly.

Common sense tells me I should talk to Willow first. But it won’t hurt to share my plans with her Dad and Chase. They may be the best allies when she flips out.

“I’m building a house.”

Chase’s eyes widen. “When?”

“I have a lot ready to go.

“You bought a lot to build a house and didn’t tell my sister? That’s highly presuming.”

I grin at his response. “Bought the lot when we moved here. It’s in this neighborhood.”

He scans Ace, Major, and Ford, giving a quick nod. “That makes sense. Not surprised you all bought together. But what about Willow?”

“Technically, the choice is hers. She wants something else, we’ll go a different direction.”

“Any reason you’re moving at the speed of light.”

“Not sure you’re one to lecture me on timing.”

He glowers. “My situation is different.”

“Touché. How about if I said I’d waited long enough?”

“Dad, you know about this?”

All attention goes to Sterling, who has been unusually quiet through the exchange. “Figured it was coming.”

“Didn’t hide my intentions,” I counter.

“No, but when my gorgeous, highly-intelligent, ambitious, and driven daughter hooks up with an inked-up muscle-head who’s way too cocky for his own good, I looked into you.” His description earns a laugh from the group. Even my dad seems amused.

“I could have saved you the time and money.”

He shrugs indifferently. “I fucked up once when it came to Willow, wasn’t willing to chance anything.”

“She’s taken care of.”

“Yeah, figured that out the night in the hospital.”

A loud shriek followed by a cry has all heads spinning to the patio deck.

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