Page 11

Story: Ferocity

"She hasn't." It didn't mean she hadn't opened a separate account or wouldn't try to forge her signature in the future. "What about another account with our name? Wouldn't the bank have to tell me?"

“We’ll have to look into it. When Timothy gets here, he’ll be able to find everything. Do you have all the ledgers and banking information?”

Scarlett nodded. “As far as I know.”

“Then he’ll start there.” Dave laid his hand over hers. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“We should do it soon. Maisie has a charity event tonight and who knows what she’ll get up to.”

“You should go,” Edward said. “Keep an eye on her.”

Scarlett frowned. She promised Samantha she’d stay with her. “I never go to those. Besides, I promised Sam I’d have dinner with her. What would it say about me if I broke a promise?”

The corner of Dave’s mouth kicked upward. “Sam, in this instance, will understand. I bet if you told her you were going to be a princess for a night, she’d help you get ready.”

Heat filled her cheeks and a foreign sensation took root within her. “Everyone would know I was there.”

“Yes, they would,” Dave agreed. “But if you had a date...”

“Who?”

Dave opened his desk drawer and pulled out a white envelope. “I might have a plus-one ticket.”

Scarlett blinked. “You’d take me?”

“Why not?”

“Maisie might get suspicious.” If her sister found out Scarlett was aware of her scheme, Maisie might take off, leaving the sanctuary holding the bag. “We can’t risk it.”

“You mean, you can’t risk it,” Kenny said. “You’re worried about what everyone will say.”

Shouldn't she be? No one saw her. Maisie made sure to spin a tale of tragic woe when it came to Scarlett. She'd been hidden away by her family, shunned and worst yet, felt the soul-deep pain of being unloved. In the last few years of their lives, her family had ripped her apart with their condemnation and anger. None of them believed her. They went to their grave assuming the worst.

Scarlett shrugged. “Maybe I can’t.”

“You have scratched and clawed for everything concerningHearts and Paws,” Dave said. “Why are you quitting when the battle is just beginning?”

She didn’t have an answer. Maybe, she was more afraid of being rebuked than she’d been willing to admit. Maybe she did care a little too much about others’ opinions. “I’m not quitting. I’m being practical.”

“You’re quitting,” Edward stated. “I can see it in your eyes, Scarlett. You’re so worried about how others see you, you’re projecting their whatever-you-want-to-call-it, onto yourself. Stop it.”

Easy for him to say. He didn’t have the stigma hanging over him.

“How about this,” Dave announced. “Have your dinner with Samantha. Then at eight, I will pick you up. We’ll get to the gala after dinner is served and we’ll only have to be there for the actual auction.”

His plan had merit. She wouldn’t be brushing off her niece and she’d still be able to see what her sister was doing behind her back. “I don’t have anything to wear.”

“Leave it to me,” Kenny said.

She snorted.

“What?” Kenny cocked a brow.

“You’re going to find me a dress?”

He nodded. “I sure am.”

She laughed this time. “I can’t wait to see this.”