Page 122 of Love Me Reckless

I coax a cooling breath into my lungs, but I’m wired tight, and the effort stings my windpipe. “The St. Claires aren’t things you get to manipulate.”

He blinks in mock surprise. “Manipulate? That’s a good one. I’m the hero here, remember?”

“Last time I checked, heroes are faithful.” I could have picked any number of things Birchnuts isn’t or doesn’t do, but this one has been thorn in my side for months.

“What are you talking about?”

He tries to step around me, but I block him. “Who was bobbing on your dick in that office at the Bitterroot Club?”

“What?” The flicker of surprise on his face vanishes almost as soon as he lets it slip. “You’re mistaken.”

“You’re the one who has made a massive mistake.” I take a step closer. “You don’t deserve Kirilee.”

He huffs in disbelief. “And you do?”

“No. But I’m going to spend my life making it up to her.”

“How endearing. Meanwhile, her family’s business is in shambles. Without me, the EPA will shut down Finn River Ranch. She’ll be homeless soon.” He gives me an open-mouthed sneer that reveals his shiny white canines. “Maybe you can show her the ropes.”

I hit him in the diaphragm and he doubles over so hard the blow threatens to knock me over, but I hold him in place while he wheezes.

“Time for you to leave,” I say in his ear.

“I’m pressing charges.”

“Go ahead, asshole.” I let him go with a subtle shove.

He stumbles back and tries to straighten, but a grimace plays across his face. “You’ll never get her money.”

I stare him down. “Bye.”

He tugs on his suit’s lapels and glares one last time before turning away and hurrying down the hall.

A nurse from the station peers over the counter at Birch’s retreating form, then at me before slipping out of sight.

Grayson peeks from the room, scowling. “What’s going on? I heard voices.”

“Branch came by,” I say.

Grayson’s exhausted face tenses. He glances down the hall but it’s empty.

“How’s your mom?” I ask.

Grayson heaves a full sigh like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. “They have her on some sort of anti-anxiety cocktail that’s making her kind of loopy. But if she continues to improve, they plan to discharge her this afternoon.”

“That’s good.”

“Yes and no. Yes because she would of course prefer to be home than here, but she’s had quite a shock.”

I rub the back of my neck. “Is she blaming Kirilee?”

He gives me a quick scan, then crosses his arms. “Last night, once the medication kicked in, she said some things to me and our Grandma Theodora. It could be nonsense, but…” He huffs another sigh. “I think what’s at the root of Mom’s behaviors is anxiety. I don’t fully understand the mental health angle of it all, but part of what came out last night is her fear of pushing Kirilee to marry someone who doesn’t love her and never will.”

The knot behind my breastbone loosens. “Oh shit.”

“That doesn’t mean she’s any less anxious right now.”

I reel in the sudden ray of hope. “Right.”

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