Page 24 of The Dis-Graced

“Luke’s there because he’s earned the right to be. Some of the best decisions I’ve made for this company were with him right by my side.”

“And his sister?”

Of course, she couldn’t help herself. Grace has probably been on her mind ever since she learned she was coming into town.

“What about Grace?” I ask. “I heard you paid her a visit.”

“Dis-Graced is more like it.”

“Don’t say that, mom. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“On the contrary, Brigger Steele was a good friend of mine. We schooled together.”

“Mom, for once, will you just try to see past all the PR bullshit and realize that these are people, and they’re more than where they grew up or the worst thing they’ve ever done.”

“You act like I’m overreacting when I’m merely trying to protect my family. It’s what mothers do.”

“It seems to me you’re more concerned with protecting the family fortune.”

“I’d be remiss if I thought that money doesn’t matter. Of course, it does. It’s what helps to protect our line—to secure our line and our position in society. It’s why your association with Miss Anders—”

“Is nonnegotiable.”

Her eyes narrow in anger. “I let you promote that filthy little friend of yours, but I will not—”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“Have you forgotten? I’m the chairwoman of the board for the entire Dallanger umbrella.”

“Oh, I remember. You never let me forget, but here’s the thing, mom. You may be able to control Devon, but you have no power over me. Do you really want to use this little ‘flex’ when it will cost you down the road.”

Her brow draws inward. “Cost me?”

“A united front, isn’t that what you told us. We must always put on a united front in the face of our adversaries. And EVERYONE is our adversary.”

“Was it a lie?”

“If you don’t back down, you can say goodbye to your ‘united front.’ Sure, Dalton’s a momma’s boy, you’ll have him on your side, Devon, well he just wants off the island, and Derek—he’s the boat rocker, and with me riling him—”

“Enough, she says, her voice dripping with venom. “You can have your little whore—”

“Her name is Grace.”

“Keep her, but if she costs us—that’s on you.”

Without another word, my mother pivots on her heels and starts walking to the exit. Part of me feels guilty. After all, she is my mother, and as much as I disagree with her methods, I know that she cares for each of her children in her own way, and everything she does is to protect us and our legacy.

But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t stand up to her.

The door slams behind her, and I’m left with an anxious feeling. For once in my life, I’m unsure of how things are going to turn out. There are just too many unknowns.

“ALAN?” I look over at the statue on my desk, or rather, its sky-high butt that’s pointed in my direction.

“Yes?”

“If I ever start acting like that woman, please slap me upside the head.”

“Mr. Dallanger, I am a disembodied consciousness and do not have the ability to slap anyone on any part of their body.”