The drive to the Sitting Duck goes by slowly. I keep my eye out the window as Shane rambles on about some hangout he had with his friend the other day. I couldn't care less about Shane’s friends, even though I am about to meet them soon.

“Is there anyone I should avoid?” I ask.

Shane side-eyes me but finally shuts up.

Glancing his way, I wonder what got him to quiet down.

We spend the rest of the ride in silence, my eyes staring out the window and Shane's at the road.

“We're here,” Shane says.

Looking up, I see the bright neon sign that reads ‘The Sitting Duck’ and swallow.

I know Shane is a good guy and I hope his friends are better company than the ones he used to keep.

“Seriously though,” I stop my brother. “Is there anything I should know before we go in?”

Shane shoots me a wink before sauntering into the Sitting Duck.

Lead fills my gut at his vague response. I trust Shane, but I haven’t seen him in New York City in a decade. This place doesn’t look too seedy, but you never know.

Entering the Sitting Duck, I see some pool tables off to the right, a bar to the left, and then seating to the back with a small area in the middle that must be for dancing.

Shane heads toward a table in the back and I follow, looking around the establishment. My eye catches on a dartboard. Someone misses the board and the group with him laughs.

It isn’t until the person who threw the dart turns around that I make eye contact with Lex Hutchinson.

The head of Druk Technologies.

Taking a step back, I stumble in shock.

Before I hit the ground, a pair of warm arms wrap around my waist.

“Careful,” a deep familiar voice says into my ear.

My entire body tenses.

TJ Rubens’s arms are around me, and everyone from Druk Technologies is watching us.

“Get off me,” I mumble, righting myself and shooting TJ a glare.

TJ holds his hands up and approaches Shane.

“What are you even doing here?” Damon asks from a spot in a booth.

“She’s my sister,” Shane speaks up with a wicked grin on his face.

“Yeah, thanks for inviting her,” TJ says as he and Shane bro hug.

Realization hits me like a truck.

TJ knows exactly who I am, and he had Shane bring me here. The two are obviously still close. My stomach sinks. I am stuck here. I thought I could trust Shane, but clearly not.

Turning my back, I strut towards the exit.

“Taylor, come on, just have a drink and relax,” Shane says as he grabs my hand.

“Why did you invite me?”