Page 116 of Burning Daylight

Lance scoffs. “Don’t be ridiculous. No one outranks you.”

“What?” I look at him innocently. “I’m just saying, your phone goes off and suddenly you have to run. I’m drawing logical conclusions.”

His nostrils flare like he’s trying to rein in whatever he really wants to say.

“Is it Art’s girlfriend?”

“It’s not anyone you know.” A hesitation, and then, “I do have to go, though.”

I hide the annoyance, and I’m not surprised. It’s not even worth fighting about anymore. “All right. See you whenever I see you, I guess.”

“I love you, Jules. It’s good to have you home.”

My eyes burn, and I try to reply, but all I manage is a tight grin.

I unstick my phone from where it’s stuck to the skin of my thigh and pull up my messages instead, getting lost in my own important person instead of thinking about all the ways my family hurts my heart.

28

ROMAN

“Just because you’re filthy rich now doesn’t meanIhave to accept blood money.”

Brooklynn’s voice is defiant, but there’s a tremble under it, just enough to make my chest ache. I don’t correct her, even though after what Dad told me, I’m not sure how long the money will last if the Calloways have anything to say about it.

“Brooke…it’s not that simple.”

“So make it that simple,” she retorts.

“He’s getting Mom into rehab. She could come back to us.”

Brooklynn makes a noise. “You’re delusional, Bear. He’s not some fairy godmother, he’s a manipulative asshole in a fancy suit.”

“He doesn’t really wear suits.”

I cringe as soon as I say it, knowing my ill-timed sarcasm won’t land.

“He got health insurance,” I continue, not sure why I’m defending him so much. “And if you’d just say yes to this trust, it will pay automatically every year for you. You’ll never have to worry about it again. You’ll have money at your fingertips, kid.”

Say yes.

She makes a disgusted noise. “You sound like his little bitch boy.”

I grit my teeth. “I’mnot.”

“What if he changes his mind?” she asks. “If he decides he doesn’twantto help anymore? If he needs to use me to control you again?”

“He isn’t?—”

“Don’t act like I’m naive to what’s going on,” she cuts me off. “I can put two and two together as easily as anyone else.”

“I’m trying to take care of you.”

“Well,don’t. I can take care of myself. What do you think is gonna happen when Mom goes to rehab, anyway? That I’ll come live there with you?”

The thought of her on her own freaks me out, but I know if I tell her that, she’ll just force the issue even more.

“I know you can,” I soothe. “You’ve always been the strongest one out of the two of us. I just don’t want you looking back and regretting anything. I want you to let me make your life easier.”