Page 57 of Broken Halo

It wasn’t my best showing, that’s for sure. If she had any qualms about my abilities to run a business before, that scene should’ve sent her running for greener pastures. But she didn’t. When I explained everything to her the next day—okay, fine, I lied and made up a story that made me seem much less pathetic than I really am—she gave me a hug and wished me sunny skies and good wine.

Those might not have been her exact words but that was the gist of it.

She flips her dark hair over her shoulder. “Call me if you change your mind.”

I start to look back to my computer when I hear, “Is Ellie in there?”

She doesn’t wait for an answer because the quick tempo of my sister’s heels click against the floor heading my way. If I know her at all, I’d say she’s either in a hurry or means business—which otherwise means something’s got her fired up.

When she appears at the door to my office, I know I’m right.

“You’re here,” she exclaims, exasperated. “Do you know?”

I frown. “Know what?”

“Baby.” Before I have a chance to say anything, Eli is standing at her back and wraps a hand low around her hip. “Wait.”

They glare at each other, carrying out a telepathic conversation—and probably not about centerpieces for their upcoming wedding for which they refuse to set a date, in essence driving my mother mad.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Nothing—” Eli growls.

At the same time Jen clips, “Everything.”

I sit back in my chair. “Lovers spat? Because, if so, you’re in the wrong place for help. My track record is both tragic and fatal. Either way, you’re better off on your own.”

“Don’t,” Eli warns her without offering me a glance. “Let me talk to him first.”

“Sorry, but sisterhood trumps your new bromance.”

His hand tightens on her waist and he pulls her into his body, but this time he sounds amused. “Are you shitting me?”

“No. I love you so I’m absolutely not shitting you. You cannot tell me something like that and expect me to keep it from her. Since you know everything, you shouldn’t question this, nor should you ask me to keep quiet. Not even for a couple of hours.”

I stand and put my hands on my hips. “What the hell’s going on?”

“Jensen.” Eli lowers his voice. “Let Trig be the one to tell her.”

I walk around my desk and cross my arms. “Let Trig tell me what?”

Jen turns to me even though Eli keeps her where she is. Leveling her dark eyes on me, she takes a breath. “Ray Barrett was paroled.”

That name … one I haven’t heard uttered in such a long time but will stay with me forever, hits me like a sledgehammer. Leaning back against my desk, I grip the edges for support. Memories flood my brain and wash through me, bringing the filth he left in his wake to the surface.

“When?” I watch Jen push away from Eli but my questions keep coming. “How? I thought he still had another few years?”

“I don’t know how, but he’s been out for a week or so. Trig told Eli yesterday and asked him not to say anything. Trig wanted to be the one to tell you but I can tell he hasn’t done that yet and you deserve to know.”

Shit. Last night. It’s why he asked me to go to Faye’s.

“Ellie, there’s more,” Jen adds.

My sluggish senses lag and I have to catch my breath before I drag my eyes up and look between Jen and her fiancé. “More?”

She steps forward, the clicks of her shoes only barely audible over the sound of blood pulsing through my ears. She grabs my hand and squeezes. “He’s moving back to Dallas. He might be here by now.”

Eli steps in beside Jen. “Trig wanted to tell you. He planned to tell you.”

---