Page 18 of Sins of the Father

Cathy tilts her head and raises her eyebrows.

“What?”

“There’s no way Jamison is letting you keep Hope at your place.”

“You act as if I live in a dump or something.”

You do live in a dump.

“You don’t have any security. It’s a bad neighborhood.”

“I’ll keep the door locked. It’ll be fine.”

“Jamison isn’t going to allow you—”

“Allow you to do what?” Jamison asks.

I spin. Quinn and Steven are both staring at me, and I avoid Steven’s gaze.

Jeez, his eyes are intense.

“Cathy is demonstrating her snobbish ways.”

“No, I’m making sure our niece is safe.”

“Why wouldn’t Hope be safe?” Quinn stresses then picks her up. “Sweet girl, you okay?”

“She’s fine,” I insist. “I would never put her in harm’s way.”

“They found a kidney donor for Ralph,” Cathy informs everyone.

“That’s great. When is the surgery?” Jamison asks.

“Monday. So I asked Harper if she’s fine watching Hope on her own—”

“Which I am,” I sternly interject.

“I didn’t say you weren’t.” Cathy sighs, and I roll my eyes. “But I told her it’s best if she stays in Chicago with Hope until you get back. I need the extra bedroom for Ralph after he gets out of the hospital. Her place isn’t anywhere I want Hope staying.”

“You really are a snob.”

“She’s right. It’s dangerous. There’s no way Hope’s staying there,” Jamison says.

“It’s not as bad as you think.”

“My daughter is not stepping foot in your place. The electrical is a fire waiting to happen, and your lock barely bolts. I still don’t understand why you insisted living there instead of taking one of my places.”

“I’m a thirty-five-year-old woman. I don’t think my little brother needs to pay for my living expenses. I can take care of myself.”

In a few months, you won’t have anything left.

Quinn places her hand on my arm. “Why don’t you stay at our place in Chicago?”

“Chicago?”

Quinn laughs. “Yes, Chicago. It’s an awesome place, and you’ll love it. Our friends are all here if you need anything while we’re gone. Maybe then you’ll want to move here, too.”

“I’m not moving to Chicago.”

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