“When hell freezes over.”
“Why? You should tell him.”
“No, thanks. I like my disappointment in small doses.”
“Because you think he doesn’t love you back?”
“Well, duh.”
“He does. Dana, you’re amazing.”
“You
“And it’s very possible Garth does, too. Someone has to be the one to risk it all. Someone has to be the first one to put it on the line.”
“That someone can be him.”
Skye shook her head. “I thought you were strong.”
“There’s a big difference between strong and foolish. I like to keep on the right side of that line.”
“You’re really not going to say anything?”
“Isn’t it enough that I’m willing to tell you?”
“That is something,” Skye admitted. “But it would be better if you’d tell him.”
“Better for everyone but me.”
“At least think about it.”
Dana groaned. “For about sixteen seconds. Then I’ll be done.”
“It’s a start.” Skye grinned again. “Soon we’ll have you caring about your shoes.”
“Did I mention the hell freezing over part?”
“Yes, but I wasn’t listening.”
GARTH PACED THE LENGTH of Lexi’s office, but walking didn’t make him any more comfortable. Part of the reason was the space itself. Her office was in her day spa. It was done in rich colors and textured fabric. While it was a functional space, it was way too fussy for him. And there were bowls of stuff that smelled everywhere.
But it wasn’t just being in a totally female space that had him feeling ready to jump out of his skin. It was the material Lexi was reading. Or rather her reaction to it.
“This is everything?” she asked, looking up from the list he’d detailed.
He’d barely spent an hour putting the list together, but it had taken him the better part of a week to decide if he was going to give it to her. Talk about handing over the last weapon to the enemy. Except Lexi wasn’t his enemy and she wouldn’t use the information as a weapon. Something he kept telling himself but wasn’t sure he believed.
“Impressive,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “Are you going to keep pacing or do you plan to sit somewhere?”
“I’ll be pacing for a while.”
She smiled. “Because you’re nervous.”
“You could hang me with that.”
She touched the paper. On it he’d listed everything he’d done to the Titan family. From the callable note he’d offered to her, to the false tip about Skye’s foundation being a front for money laundering. Some of the things on the list had come from facts he’d dug up-like Jed being involved in illegal arms shipments. But for every fact, there were dozens of rumors. Acts designed to hurt.
“I won’t take this to the police,” she said.
“I know.”
“Then why won’t you sit down?”
He shrugged. “Trust doesn’t come easy to me.”
She pulled out her own list of what had happened, then handed both to him. “You look them over,” she said. “By comparing them, we can figure out what Jed has done. I’m going to guess it’s a lot more than we think.”
“But you asked me to prepare the list,” he said, not sure what she was doing. “Don’t you want to keep it?”
“No. I wanted you to put it together, but it doesn’t matter who does the comparison. Obviously you’d be more comfortable if it was you.” She smiled. “I’m not out to get you, Garth. Not anymore.”
He moved toward her desk, then took a seat opposite. “Okay.”
Her smile widened. “You don’t sound convinced.”
“That’ll take a minute.”
“You’re such a guy.”
“That’s the rumor.” He leaned back in his seat. “We’re getting close. It’s just a matter of time until Jed is forced into a corner. There’s no going back.”
“What makes you think I want to?”
“I’m checking. I talked to Skye.”
Lexi’s smile faded. “She’s upset about what we’re doing.”
“So she said.” His conversation with his sister had been long and rambling, but a few key points had been painfully clear.
“Her relationship with Jed is different,” Lexi told him. “She lived at Glory’s Gate longer. She acted as his hostess for years. I think she believed that would protect her. Not that it was why she did it. Skye loves Jed. We all do. But for a long time, it seemed she had more to lose.”
Until Jed had turned on Skye, threatening to have her declared an unfit mother and thrown into a mental hospital. All because she wasn’t willing to do what he said.
“She wants Jed taken down,” Lexi continued. “But the idea of having to be a part of destroying him doesn’t make her happy.”
“She can back out.”
“She won’t. He nearly killed Izzy. Skye protects those she loves. She’s tougher than she looks.”
All the Titan sisters were, he thought. Tough and beautiful and strong. Not to mention stubborn. “Did she, ah, mention anything about the wedding?” he asked, trying to sound casual and not sure he succeeded.
“What do you mean?” Lexi’s blue eyes widened slightly.
“The ceremony.”
“It’s on Christmas Eve, at Mitch’s house. You’re coming, aren’t you?”
Garth narrowed his gaze. “You already know.”
The grin returned. “That Skye asked you to walk her down the aisle? She might have mentioned something.”
He swore softly, then pushed to his feet. “What was she thinking? I can’t do that. I’m not the right guy. There has to be someone else. A friend of the family. Someone.”
He’d been sure that nothing could ever surprise him again. He planned nearly every part of his life, worked hard, understood the risks and outcomes. Then Skye had called and asked him to walk her down the aisle. Like he was…was…like he was family.
“She wants you,” Lexi told him. “You’re her brother.”
Technically. “It can’t be me,” he said and started pacing again. When he got to the far end of the room, he noticed a damn bamboo plant in the corner. Was everything in this stupid place renewable?
“Did you hear what Izzy said?” Lexi asked. “She wants you in the family, Garth. Apparently you’re not objecting too much, since you’re here.”
“This is different.”
“It’s what the bride wants. Are you going to tell her no?”
He turned and glared at Lexi, but didn’t speak. Tell Skye no? Hardly. The last thing he wanted was to make her cry or something. But why did she have to ask? Walk her down the aisle. He’d never done anything like that.
“Do I have to say anything?” he asked.
Lexi’s mouth twitched, but this time she didn’t smile. “I believe the minister asks who gives the bride in marriage and you say ‘I do.’ It’s not a speech.”
“She’s old enough to walk herself,” he muttered.
“Maybe, but that’s not the point.”
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Ever gracious.”
