Page 78 of Exile and Embrace

Christian would be able to put the pieces of the puzzle together, though.

I don’t want to lie to him, not after all he has done for me, but I will if I have to.

“How is your family?” It’s a safe enough question to ask, and one that might reveal what he knows.

Christian clears his throat. “They’re good, but that’s not why I was calling. We’ve had a couple problems here, and I wanted to make sure that they had nothing to do with you.”

“I haven’t been in Tennessee since the day I was released. I saw my chance and got the hell out of there.” I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood slightly. “I can assure you that whatever is happening there isn’t me.”

“What about your father or brother? They’ve always been power-hungry and stupid.”

“That they are, but as far as I know, they’re focusing on Virginia.”

There is a long pause, and something closes in the background of the call. Floorboards squeak.

It’s easy to picture Christian pacing across the floor, deciding whether or not to trust me.

The last thing I need is to make another enemy.

Christian hums again. “You’ve been useful today, Finn. I hope it remains that way if I ever have a reason to call you again.”

The call ends, and I can finally release the breath I’ve been holding since I answered the phone.

Christian is nothing if not an intimidating man. Between him and the other powerful men he associates with, I would be buried in the blink of an eye if he thought there was something going on between me and his sister-in-law.

I’ve escaped his wrath this time, but I know the lie will come back to haunt me.

20

AVA

Aunt Courtney smiles as Lola races down the driveway to me, her tail going a mile a minute. The dopey doggy smile is all I see as she hops up on her back legs and plants her paws on my shoulder.

Lola licks my cheek, her entire body swaying with her wagging tail.

I rub her fuzzy head, laughing as she gets down and trots away.

The big dog finds a stick and carries it off to a shady spot beneath a large tree.

Aunt Courtney sits on the porch steps as I cross the yard. “It’s good to see you. It feels like it’s been forever. How was that dinner with your fiancé’s boss the other night?”

I grin and turn one of the lawn chairs to face her before dropping down. “Managed to drop the roast on the floor. We ended up getting pizza instead. His boss’s wife is really nice. Becca.”

Aunt Courtney sits a little stiffer, reaching for the glass of water beside her. “Becca?”

My eyebrows pull together as I kick my feet up on one of the steps. “Yeah. Do you know her?”

“Maybe. What’s her husband’s name?”

“Cillian.”

Aunt Courtney’s hand trembles as she brings the glass of water to her lips. She takes a long sip, avoiding meeting my gaze. When she puts the glass down, she takes her time staring at Lola.

My pulse races, the hair on the back of my neck standing. “Aunt Courtney, do you know them?”

“I knew Becca once upon a time. Back when we were in high school. She was my friend for a little while, until your father started dating her.”

“Did it end badly?”

---