Page 11 of The Arrangement

“Don’t tell me that,” Towlin says with a nervous chuckle. “Let’s stay focused on getting him locked up like he deserves.”

“Anything else?”

“That’s enough for today. I’ll call you as soon as I have an update.”

“Thanks.”

“Goodbye.”

Tate reaches across my desk and ends the call for me. “It never gets less shocking to recall that your father tried to kill your family.” He eyes me warily. “You doing okay, Jase?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” My teeth grind together. “Is it bad that I wish Foxx would’ve killed Dad? Just put a bullet between his eyes and ended all of this?”

“I’m pretty sure if you put in a request, Foxx could still make it happen.”

I grin because he’s right. Foxx could make it happen.

Foxx and I met years ago while working private security for a man named Fenton Abbott, who specialized in overseas operations. We were a lot alike—driven and fairly quiet—and we both came from large families where we didn’t quite fit the mold. We became fast friends, especially for men who didn’t court friendships.

He’s the smartest and most capable person I’ve ever met. He’s my best friend and, thanks to Bianca, my brother-in-law.

“What did Towlin have to say?” Tate asks. “Why were you discussing Dad walking? Isn’t he taking a plea deal?”

I run a hand down my face, wishing I could shield my family from this—wishing I would’ve seen the signs and prevented it all from happening in the first place.

“Apparently, our father is considering turning the deal down,” I say, watching Tate’s eyes widen ever so slightly. “But it’ll be fine. We all need to stay on our toes, avoid doing anything stupid, and trust the process.”

Even though I don’t.

Tate frowns but nods as if he believes me—like he knows it’ll be fine … because I said so.Oof.

“So what’s going on?” I ask, ready to move on from the topic at hand. “I thought you were going to Gannon’s office?”

“I was until I heard Renn is headed that way.” He sits in the chair across from my desk. “Have you talked to him today by any chance?”

I sit and stare at my brother. His question is normal, but his hint of concern is not.

Whatever is happening with Renn, I’m going to hate it. I’m sure of it.

“I’ll take that as a no,” Tate says, moving around in his seat.

“What’s happening?”

“Oh, not much. Renn just wants to talk to you and Gannon about buying the Tennessee Royals.”

What? “Renn wants to buy the Royals?”

“Yup.”

“He wants to buy arugby franchise?”

“Yup.”

I groan. “This is the epitome of a bad idea in so many ways. Towlinjusttold me not to make any waves until the trial ends, and Renn wants to buy the Royals.Wow.”

“In Renn’s defense, he doesn’t know Towlin said that.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I mutter, blowing out a breath. “Renn’s a smart guy. He witnessed the disaster surrounding the purchase of the Arrows. Why would he think we need to duplicate all of that now?”Fucking Renn. I pace my office again. “Has he even been retired a year? And he hates the Royals’ management. They’re the reason he retired in the first place. So why would he want to buy it? It makes no sense.”