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“You two can bicker later,” Madeline says. “This is on my dime, as part of our campaign to fix your image and get you back out there. I’m certain Atlas and Hudson can cover it if you try to dodge the bill.”

Willow flushes.

Money is such a difficult topic for her, and short-term, there’s nothing I can do to fix that.

“That bastard robbed her,” I growl. “I mean, how is this legal?”

“He has legal control. Her mother set it up when she was a minor, and she’s never challenged it as an adult.”

“Can I challenge it now?” Willow asks.

“Of course. That’s what we’re getting ready to do. But first, we start fixing your image. Sunday is the private tea, and I believe sometime next week you’re all going to see some country star perform?”

Atlas rolls his eyes but nods. “Yes. Jade set it up. We’ll be backstage and at an after party of some kind with Lily Maxwell. They’re good friends.”

“Oh!” Willow’s face brightens. “I love her music. She’s wonderful. How exciting that I’ll get to meet her.”

“And you’re also going to throw Aspen a baby shower,” I say. “I mean, Briar is throwing it, but we’re switching it up to say you and Briar are throwing it together.”

Madeline is making notes. “Yes, Kate is going to attend and make sure lots of curated photos flood social media.”

“Is…Aspen okay with that?” Willow asks.

“She is if it helps you,” Atlas responds.

“And it appears that I’m going to have a cold at the next Vipers game,” I say, shrugging. “Briar and Atlas will be out of town, so you, Jade, and Aspen are taking Frankie.”

“Lots of ladies-only events,” Willow muses. “This is by design?”

“It’s easy to show that a beautiful woman can get a man,” Madeline says pragmatically. “But making girlfriends is harder. And children up the ante. Even if they don’t mention it, everyone knows that children are the best judges of character. There has to be a reason a four-year-old likes you.”

“I don’t feel right using Frankie that way,” Willow says, turning to me worriedly.

I just laugh. “You do know that Auntie Willow/Princess Cinderella is her favorite person on earth at the moment, right? Although she doesn’t know what’s going on with Dylan, obviously, having us take her to the game while Mommy’s away was her idea. I’ll just be sick at the last minute.”

“Oh. But what if Dylan tries something when we’re together and?—”

“You don't think you’ll actually be alone?” Atlas snorts.

“Jade always has security now,” I add. “And Ty will be with you whenever I’m not. Don’t worry about your safety—or Frankie’s.”

“If I’m honest, I’d like to see Dylan try something with Frankie,” Atlas says with a grunt. “Give me an excuse to?—”

“Atlas.” Madeline gives him a stern look. “Do not utter those words aloud. We’re in public. Do you understand me?”

“Yeah, yeah.” He doesn’t finish his thought but the look on his face tells me he’s still thinking about it.

Hell, I think of little else these days.

Hurting Dylan and taking care of Willow are the main things on my mind, twenty-four-seven.

“What about my money?” Willow asks after a moment. “At the very least, the money he owes me for the allowance I never got?”

“I just hired a forensic accountant.” Madeline smiles, and it might be the most wicked thing I’ve ever seen. “He’s going to rue the day he ever took a dime he wasn’t entitled to.”

Twenty-Six

Willow