The Lawyer (The Dalton Brothers 1)

I set the pillow aside, crossing my hands between my legs. “Why did you have me come out here? If you wanted things separate, then why bring me into your world?”

“You were barely making your rent, sharing an apartment with three roommates, with not even enough money to buy yourself a skinny margarita after a twelve-hour workday. My financial advisor said I needed to be more charitable, so instead of donating to the food bank, I contributed to you.”

God, she was such a bitch.

She couldn’t even admit she needed my help. It would pain her to say those words.

But she wanted me to tell her I wasn’t going to take the job, that I would stay on as her assistant.

As if that request were even fair.

My sister couldn’t see past her ego—that was what this conversation was really about.

“What happens if I take the role?”

Her teeth ground together, her jaw flexing as she stared at me. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Answer the question, sister.”

My entire body shook as I waited.

She gazed at me for what felt like minutes and finally replied, “There would be no reason for me to ever talk to you again.”

My sister. My blood. Someone I’d shared my entire life with was willing to give it all up over something this ridiculous.

In the past, I would have caved. I would have avoided the controversy and done exactly what she wanted because I always backed down to her.

She would never change.

I didn’t care what Thanksgiving was going to look like when we were sitting around my parents’ table or Christmas when we were cozied up in front of their fire—traditions we made happen every year.

I had to get to the point where I wouldn’t tolerate her behavior anymore even if that meant upsetting my parents, altering our family dynamic forever.

She looked at her nails, assessing them like she would ever allow a chip. “You know, all you’re doing is delaying how much work you need to finish before you go home. I have six videos you need to edit, the pool shots from yesterday still need retouching, and you need to take some photos of me using a new mascara I’m endorsing. The fact that you’re stalling makes me want to dock your pay. For real, Kendall, what the fuck?”

I’d reached the point.

I was done with this bullshit.

And I was done listening to it.

I pushed myself up from the couch. “No.”

Her eyes followed me around the coffee table. “No to what?”

“To everything.” I stood by the oversize chair, remembering how she’d sent it back last week because the fabric wasn’t white enough. “No to your attitude, to your insane demands. To you asking me to turn down the job offer.” I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans to stop them from trembling. “Just know that you did this, Daisy. Not me.”

I swore there was smoke leaving her mouth with every breath that she took.

“Your little tirade back there was to make me feel bad for you. To make me cower, like I always do when it comes to you. Well, no more. I’m done.”

Anger shot across her face. “You’re that fucking greedy for stardom?” She shook her head. “Wow. I thought I knew you better than that.”

“This has nothing to do with that, and we both know it.”

She relaxed into the couch, like she was Tony goddamn Soprano. “Oh, sister, don’t even think of dropping my name to help you gain popularity. You’re all alone out here now, and I promise I won’t do a thing to help you.”

“I don’t need your help.” I took several steps back. “In fact, that’s the last thing I need.”

I left my coffee for her to throw away and headed toward the front door.

“You’re fired!” she yelled as I reached the kitchen. “And don’t expect to be paid for any of the half-assed work you’ve done this week. The last check you got from me is the only money you’ll ever see from my checkbook.”

I glanced over my shoulder, laughing loudly, making sure our eyes were locked when I said, “Trust me, I don’t need it.”