A Redo (Sterling Shore 6)

Raya grins broader, acting as though she’s dying to expose some exciting secret.

“Well, she rented a large chalet shortly after the divorce, but somehow her reservations were deleted a week ago, and that vacancy got snatched up by someone else. And, as you know, it’s booked up this time of year, so she was unable to get anything in town. Then her rental car information got messed up, and she ended up in a Taurus instead of a BMW—poor spoiled girl. And her flight home was somehow messed up, which put her leaving the day after she arrived. So she was only in town for a day. I think she left raising hell and swearing death to the lodge when they said her credit cards had been denied as well.”

Shocked, I take in Raya’s proud smile, while Kade laughs.

“She planned on causing problems when Allie got here. Somehow she knew Allie and Angel were coming, but she never even saw Angel. She wasn’t here long enough to cause drama.”

I relax, then my laughter bubbles out before I can stop it.

“That’s some crazy shit.”

Raya stands taller like she’s about to brag, but she quickly masks her proud smile. “It sounds to me like a skilled hacker showed her what life is like when you mess with people they care about.”

Realization dawns, and I look down at her smirking face. Ray Drivel—I mean, Ray Capperton. Damn.

“I need a drink,” Kade says, tugging Raya’s hand. “And you can’t leave my side,” he adds. “Lyle Hughes is here.”

I barely acknowledge what else they say as I stare at the large crowd, searching for Mom. Finally, I find her, and I frown again. My Aunt Becks is here, and that means Keith is here somewhere. They never come. I’m really glad Allie isn’t here now, because Keith is pro-Erica all the way.

A body is suddenly beside me, and I look over to see Ray Capperton. He looks a little confused, but I’m too busy swallowing down my pride. I don’t particularly like him, but for some reason, he makes me feel as though Angel is safe when he’s around. I feel as though I don’t have to keep her safe by myself.

“Thank you.” Yeah, the words taste all wrong.

“For what?” he asks absently, his eyes very studiously on Mom.

“I heard about what you did to keep away Erica. And thanks for getting Allie’s home secured.”

I forgot he took care of it while I was avoiding Allie. Apparently, she was never leaving her house, so he had his people work around her schedule. Bulletproof windows might have been over the top, but I definitely sleep better at night now that I know they’re safe.

“My own personal security team has a very quick response to breaches. They show up, deal with the issue, and wait until police arrive. She’ll be safe there,” he says, but he’s distracted.

I stand silently, going over everything that could go wrong that could cause Allie to need to use that. But then I remember she’s in a safe neighborhood—very safe.

“You can help me out to repay me,” he says, still pursing his lips. “Your mother keeps calling that Becks woman her sister. Tag also referred to her as Melanie’s sister. Keith is your cousin, right? Her son? Yet Rain and Tria say he’s not their cousin. I feel like I’ve misunderstood something here, and I never get confused.”

I laugh as he continues studying my mother. He really does care about her.

“Mom has always called Becks—which is a nickname, by the way—her sister. Becks is my dad’s sister. He ruined her when he swindled away all the money her late husband had left her in his insurance policy. She trusted Dad with her bank stuff, and he took advantage of that before he disappeared. His own sister—he fucked her over like that. Mom reached out, took her in, helped her get back on her feet, and now Becks and Mom really are like sisters. She says that’s one of the three things she got out of that relationship. Billy and I are the other two.”

Fucking Billy. I hope he’s not here. I don’t want to get into a fight in front of Angel.

“Your mother said that’s why you’re wary of me—because of your Dad.”

I snort, and he cocks an eyebrow, looking a little amused. “I’m wary of any man my mother is interested in. It’s not her nature to have good taste. But Raya loves you, and I trust Raya.”

He nods, and I take another breath. I rarely feel like I should apologize. Not that I’m trying to, but I feel like I need to.

“I figure everyone deserves a redo if Allie is giving me one,” I say quietly, watching as Angel interrupts Mom’s conversation with Becks.

Keith has fortunately disappeared from sight. I might be able to stay tonight without him going on a pro-Erica speech.