Page 110 of Inferno

“I heard. Think we should head out earlier for the cabin?”

“Nah.The resort’s only an hour away. We’ll be fine.”

“I don’t know,” Sterling muttered dubiously. “Don’t wanna get stranded in nodamn mountains.”

Stan grinned. “We’re not gonna get stranded, Sterl. Stop being such a city slicker.”

Sterling took umbrage.“Who you calling a city slicker?Need I remind you thatI’mthe one who organizes our camping and fishing trips every year?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Stan teased, walking over and joining his brother on the swing. “Everyone knows you’re the great outdoorsman.”

Sterling grinned broadly. “Damn straight.”

A companionable silence lapsed between them as they sipped their beers, their long legs gently pushing the swing back and forth.

“Thank you,” Sterling said quietly.

Stan shot him a puzzled look.“For what?”

“For buying the plane tickets for Michael and Marcus.”

“Aw, come on, Sterl,” Stan muttered, waving off his brother’s gratitude. “Cut that out.”

Sterling ignored him. “You know my money’s been extra tight lately, so I really appreciate the way you and Prissy came through for my boys.”

“It was Prissy’s idea, and you know you can’t say no to that woman.”

A quiet, knowing smile touched Sterling’s mouth. “Well,whoever’sidea it was, it was a godsend. I haven’t seen Michael and Marcus this happy since…” He trailed off, unable to finish.

But he didn’t have to. Stan knew what had been left unsaid.

A heavy silence descended between the two men.

After several moments, Stan took a swig of his beer and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Anyway,” he said gruffly, “having Michael and Marcus here this week was like an early Christmas present to my boys. You should have seen the way Manny lit up when Mike surprised him. The boy got so damn choked up he had his poor mama in tears.”

Sterling gave Stan an amused sidelong glance.“And what about you?”

Stan grinned sheepishly. “I’m embarrassed to admit that I got a bit misty-eyed, too.”

Sterling laughed, shaking his head at Stan. “You always were a big ol’ softie beneath the tough guy exterior.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Stan grumbled, shifting uncomfortably on the swing. “And if Iamgetting soft in my old age, it’s Prissy’s damn fault.”

“Uh-huh. I’ll be sure to tell her you said that.”

“Go ahead. She knows it’s true.”

“Well, I don’t know about all that. What Idoknow,” Sterling drawled, dark eyes twinkling with amusement, “is that your wife’s got you wrapped around her pretty little finger.”

Stan smiled softly, not even bothering to deny it.

“Which is as it should be,” Sterling added almost to himself.

Stan’s smile faded as a wave of guilt swept through him. It didn’t seem right for him to be so deliriously contented and in love with his wife when his brother was still reeling from the painful destruction of his own marriage. Next to their late father, Sterling Wolf was the kindest, most honorable man Stan had ever known. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was Sterling.

Stan clenched his jaw, his gut tightening with the familiar anger and resentment he’d been harboring—rightfully so—toward Celeste. Striving to maintain his composure, he asked evenly, “When was the last time you spoke to her?”

Sterling didn’t have to ask whom he was referring to. As pain tightened his features, Stan regretted bringing Celeste up, though the specter of her treachery had been looming over them all since the divorce.