Page 63 of Last Chance

“I wish. I can’t.”

“Your choice for now. If you decide at any point that you want to end the meeting with David, tell me, and we’ll be out of here.”

“Heads up,” Brody murmured, gaze on the man who walked into the coffee shop.

The stranger spotted the group in the corner, and headed in their direction, his gaze fixed on Janie. He strode to her chair, yanked her to her feet, and wrapped her in a bear hug. “Janie! Thank God you’re all right. Why didn’t you call me as soon as you were free?”

Stunned at David’s enthusiastic hug, Janie wrapped her arms around her brother. “I’m sorry, David. I didn’t have my phone. The hijackers forced us to leave everything on the plane.”

“That’s no excuse. You have my number. You should have called me from the shop at least. I was worried sick about you.”

Janie freed herself and stepped back. Sawyer had stood and was behind her. “We didn’t exactly part on good terms, bro.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t care about you, sis. You should know that by now. It’s us against the world, right?”

Maybe. The problem was David said all the right things for an audience. As soon as they were alone, however, all bets were off.

“Who are your friends?” her brother asked.

Sawyer held out his hand. “I’m Sawyer, Janie’s boyfriend. This is Brody, my teammate. Please, join us. Would you like coffee?”

David’s eyes narrowed. “Boyfriend? You didn’t mention you were dating anyone, Janie. When did this happen?”

“It’s recent.”

“I’m going to order coffee for us and tea for Janie. I’ll be back,” Brody said and rose. He went to the counter to place an order.

“How recent?” David demanded, ignoring Brody’s absence. “I should have heard about this.”

Since when? He’d shown no interest in her dating life. “It doesn’t matter,” Janie countered. “I’m a grown woman. My relationships are my business.”

“What do you know about this guy? He could be after your money.”

“Like you?” Sawyer asked, his voice mild.

David scowled. “What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. I know how much pressure you’ve been putting on Janie to divvy up Granny Irene’s estate against the wishes expressed in her will.”

“So? It’s only fair. Janie and I are Granny Irene’s only remaining relatives. I deserve half of the estate.”

“Your grandmother disagreed, Moran.”

“You know nothing about our family,” Janie’s brother snapped. “Keep your nose out of our business.”

“Anything that concerns Janie is my business.”

“He’s right, David.” Janie eyed her brother. “Sawyer knows about the will and why Granny Irene set the terms as she did.”

“She was wrong,” he insisted. “I’m fine. I don’t have a problem. If you won’t believe me, ask Maria. She doesn’t lie. She’ll tell you that Granny Irene was dead wrong.”

What was the point of arguing? David wouldn’t be satisfied unless Janie gave him exactly what he wanted. “Why are you here, David?”

His jaw tightened. “Really? A bunch of deranged hijackers kidnapped you and you ask me that? I was worried about you. When I didn’t hear from you, I was afraid you’d been seriously injured in the hijacking. No one could tell me anything. It’s like you vanished off the face of the earth.”

Janie stared. Seriously? Her brother hadn’t even bothered to take her to the airport the morning she left Chile. “I still could have been in Mexico. You took a risk coming to Hartman. Why would you do that?”

“Where else would I find you if you were rescued? You wouldn’t have come back to Chile where Maria and I could care for you properly. I had to come to you.” He sounded bitter about the matter.

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