Page 62 of Shattered

“Like ass.”

Every argument—no matter how big or how small—ended the same way in the Banks household. Which meant I should’ve been prepared for all one hundred and thirty pounds of Willow when she hopped on my back, announcing, “Hug it out, jerks.”

“Wow, she’s almost as weird as you are, Jade.”

“Get in here, you two.” Riley extended one arm in invitation as the other circled my neck in a sideways chokehold. “This is the way we operate. May as well get used to it now.”

After the group hug to end all group hugs, we settled down to wait for news. Jett kept us entertained for the most part, regaling us with tales of teenage woe. The gist of it was he was bored in school and couldn’t wait until he was old enough to apply to the FBI academy, which threw me for a loop. More than a loop, actually, I was stunned by his revelation. Jade, on the other hand, didn’t seem at all shocked. In fact, except for the hints of terror she’d tried to keep from bleeding into her expression, she looked damn proud. As well she should be. She’d raised a good kid.

“Where’s Allie?” I asked, only then realizing Riley’s fiancée was absent.

“She moved out a couple weeks ago.”

“What happened?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. She gave a bullshit reason. Something about needing space to ‘find herself,’ packed up all her shit, and left.”

“And you haven’t heard from her since?”

He and Allison had started dating the summer afterDad was killed, so almost ten years ago. I’d thought they would’ve tied the knot and popped out a couple of kids by now, but seeing as they were having issues, I’m glad they didn’t. Strange thing was, he didn’t really act all too torn up over their breakup. He almost looked…relieved.

“Not a peep, and I doubt I will.”

“Why do I get the sense you’d prefer if she didn’t reach out.”

“Let’s just say, somewhere along the line, I fell out of love with the person she once was and grew to despise the one she’d become.”

“Cryptic much?”

He was spared any further inquiry when Dr. Bolton strode into the room.

“Your mother did great. She’ll be in recovery for the next hour and as long as she does well, she’ll be moved to a room for observation overnight.”

Riley stood, holding out his hand, while the rest of us breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you for everything, Cara.”

“Just doing my job,Captain Banks.” I caught a glimpse of longing on her tired face before she whipped around on her sneakered feet and left without taking his hand.

Interesting.

“Ummm…do you want to tell us what that was all about, Captain Banks?”

Apparently, Willow noticed too.

“Not particularly.”

“Why don’t Jett and I go find the cafeteria and get some sandwiches and drinks for everyone? It’s almost dinnertime anyway.” Jade grabbed her purse, then the collar of her brother's shirt and pulled him toward the exit. “You three can do a little catching up while we’re gone.”

“Wait. I’ll get you a key to the service elevator from the nurses’ station.” Riley followed behind, leaving Willow and me alone.

“What really happened between him and Allie?”

My sister didn’t pull any punches. “Allison Linders is a selfish, shit-stain-on-the-butt-of-humanity kind of bitch.”

“Wow, okay. Tell me how you really feel.”

“Riley doesn’t know this, but after she left, I tracked her down.”

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