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Jackson walked the NOI team to the door then returned.

Harlan hadn’t moved. He stood by the table, not saying a word. Not giving anyone eye contact. Not even looking angry. His expression read more as blank.

I wanted to congratulate Jackson, maybe shoo Harlan away and give Jackson a kiss, but I honored the silence and waited for Harlan to explode.

He finally lifted his head. His gaze bounced from me to Jackson. “That was a huge mistake.”

“I’m not sure why you got involved in this, Dad. You know Mags and Celia don’t want to sell. We consider them family. I needed to step in before this went too far. Hell, I should have stepped in days ago, but I never imagined you’d turn your lobbying efforts against the people you care about.”

Jackson managed to defang Harlan and play the family card in one breath. Impressive. There was no other word for it.

“Thank you, honey.” Celia’s smile carried more than a note of relief.

Harlan shook his head. “I’m trying to understand why my motives are so hard for you all to understand. Jackson has a bright political future. Mags, you and Celia have an impressive business. I can help all three of you get what you want.”

“I want to be a lawyer and I want you to stop pushing.” Jackson drew the line and stood on it. “I’m not your client and I don’t want to be. It’s that easy.”

“This is a seismic change. A few weeks ago we were in agreement.” Harlan shook his head as if he couldn’t believe how the afternoon had unfolded. “Then she came to town and... is all of this trouble really for her?”

“Watch yourself, Harlan.” Gram was not having this. Her tone made that clear. “Do not drag Kasey into your nonsense.”

“I agree.” Jackson hadn’t moved but he somehow looked bigger, more imposing. “If you want to fight, do it with me. Not her.”

The whole conversation made me shaky and breathless and not in a good way.

“You’ve lost focus. Instead of concentrating on our candidate plan, or even your legal work, you’re running around town—” Harlan’s abrupt stop likely meant he knew he needed to change direction, and fast.

Jackson didn’t let him do it. “What, Dad? Say it.”

I wasn’t as eager as Jackson to hear what came next. Harlan looked and sounded like a man about to plunge over the edge into full jackassery. If Gram didn’t stuff a funeral pie down his throat, I might.

Harlan looked around the room before his gaze landed on Jackson. “I understand the two of you grew up together and are close—”

This guy made my head pound. “You can say my name, Harlan. We all get it. You think I’ve done something to Jackson. That I can sway him against your political agenda.”

“You have an unhealthy hold over him.”

“Dad, stop.”

“Harlan, be careful,” Celia warned.

Harlan kept his focus on Jackson. “I know why Anna left. What she saw at Christmas.”

Jackson shook his head. “Not relevant.”

Okay, wait. I’d missed something.

“I get it.” Harlan waved a hand in my direction. “She’s different from your usual type, which can be very exciting, but it’s not sustainable because she’s not built for the long-term.”

“Do not make me come over there and whoop you.” Gram sounded ready to do it, too.

“I don’t have a choice but to speak up. It’s my job as a parent. I’m telling Jackson what he already knows.” Harlan stopped. His stern expression looked as if he was gathering his argumentsand about to let the worst fly. “I know it’s hard to hear, son, but your love for her makes you sloppy. Less driven. Frankly, far less marketable and less appealing to the people who can further your career.”

I heard a gasp. I saw a sea of angry faces. Only one thing went through my mind.His what?

Chapter Forty-Eight

The tension in the room ratcheted up to suffocation levels. Gram got up and took a step in Harlan’s direction. Celia pulled her back. I was too lost in thelovecomment to function.