“I think the will reading is likely to be damn crowded.” I kept my voice low but pointed.
“It doesn’t have to be.” His cagey tone was an odd counter to his pasted-on smile, which hadn’t faltered yet.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Heather Ann is covered by a prenup—”
“I’m not surprised.” I hadn’t spoken to my latest stepmother yet, having only seen her from a distance at the ceremony, but Dad had been taken to the cleaners in enough prior divorces to at least have the prenup thing down.
“What I’m saying is I’d like to leave my holdings to someone with a good head on his shoulders. I’ve worked too damn hard to watch it go to some flighty cause or frivolous purpose.”
“Luckily, you’ll probably outlive us all.” I used a mild tone, forcing myself to stay calm, not rise to the bait. “And I’m not going to come work for you, no matter what inheritance you dangle.”
“You were meant for greater things than some rent-a-cop agency.” His expression finally sagged, replaced by a toughness that used to scare me, but I was grown now, and I could meet him scowl for scowl and match his hard tone.
“No, I wasn’t. This is who I’m meant to be.” I’d spent so many damn years trying to outrun this man’s legacy. I was done. This was my last command performance. Maybe all the times Ezra had told me I was a good person were starting to sink in, or maybe I was finally comfortable enough in my own skin, but I was done with trying to prove myself worthy to him and to all the people waiting to judge me by his standards, good and bad.
“Pity. I thought by coming it might mean you’d lost the ‘tude finally.” Dad shook his head, disappointment lacing his words, and I laughed, a harsh bark because it was funny how little I gave a damn about his approval compared to people who actually cared about me.
“Nope, I’m mainly here for Danny, who, despite everything, still loves you.” Hope would always spring eternal for Danny, which was one of the things I loved most about him. He’d had a hell of a bad deal in life, and he still managed to see the good in people. I wanted to be more like that, and if I couldn’t, I could at least do my best to protect him from those who might want to quash his sunshine.
“Ah. Well, keep him away from the bar.” Already starting to drift away, my father sounded bored, but I took a step after him, forcing him to look back at me.
“My brother is a better person than you’ll ever be.”
“So is Duncan.” Danny came striding up, smile so genuine I almost stepped in front of him, blocked him from any of our dad’s ire. Dad didn’t deserve Danny. That much was for damn sure.
“I’m not sure how I ended up with such ungrateful children. I’ll leave you to your mutual admiration fest.” Dad gave a dismissive wave, likely already moving on in his head to the next contact he needed to greet, pausing long enough to give me one last harsh look. “But, Duncan, fair warning that I’m thinking of liquidating some real-estate holdings. Heather Ann wants a place in Hawaii she saw.”
“Good for her,” I ground out as he stepped away. I knew a threat when I heard one. He owned my condo. He could give and he could take, and he was never going to deal well with my long-term insubordination. So be it. I was done jumping through his hoops. No condo, no world-class shower, no exclusive address was ever going to be worth his terms.
“I’m not sure why I came.” I shook my head at his retreating back.
Danny put a hand on my arm. “Me either. But I’m glad I got to see that. You did good, standing up to him.”
“Thanks.” My lower lip trembled, so I bit it hard. “Ezra says I’m a better kid than he deserves.”
“We both are.”
“Yup.” I nodded, marginally in more control of my emotions. “And I meant it, Danny. You’re the better person. I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you. I’m proud of you too.” He gave me a full hug, and my stupid lip started wobbling again.
“Are you going to forgive Ezra and me for not telling you?” I asked gruffly. “I’ll take the pride, but I miss you, man.”
“I miss you too.” He exhaled like he was finishing one of his yoga sequences, sending bad energy marching on its way. “And you were busy falling in love. I’ll get over it as long as you don’t break Ezra’s heart.”
“I’m going to do everything I can to not.” I didn’t argue with the L-word there. It was true. I hadn’t exactly said the precise words to Ezra yet, but I’d fallen and fallen harder than I’d ever thought possible.