Page 124 of The Forever Rule

“Well I’m scared,” Isabella said as she stood on my other side, her green dress flowing around her in waves. She had piled her hair up on the top of her head in some sort of updo and added subtle makeup.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress, dear sister.”

She glared at me, but I saw the fear in her gaze. “I still don’t know why I’m here.”

“Because you’re a Cage,” I said as I squeezed her hand. “And our world is starting to realize that, so you have to deal with what we do.”

“And that means getting in fancy dresses and schmoozing?”

“I’m going to have to do it too, and I’m just dating him,” Blakely said, and I squeezed her hip.

“Hey, I thought you liked schmoozing me.”

“Please don’t finish that sentence,” Isabella said, as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “I should just go. I’ve showed my face, did the Cage thing, but I’m going to go.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” James said as he moved forward. “Flynn is off talking with a potential client, which I think you’re going to want to hear about,” James said, looking at me, before turning back to Isabella. “And, while you are a Cage, you’re a Cage that works with us, so now you’re going to have to deal with everything that comes with it.”

“Why can’t anyone else be here. There’s a lot of us. Sophia would be great at this. She used to have to do those things when she was in the ballet.”

“I’m sure we’ll bring Sophia to these too,” I said, holding back my laughter. “However, you work with us. So you get first dibs.”

“Come on little sister, I’ll take you to the punch.”

“We are the same age and my birthday is beforeyours,” Isabella snapped, and I just shook my head as those two walked off, and Blakely shook beside me.

“Hold back your laughter. Isabella won’t appreciate it,” I murmured.

“Getting her out here was like pulling teeth. But I’m sure she’ll figure it out.”

“You know, she didn’t really need to be here,” I said softly.

Blakely’s eyes twinkled. “Oh, I figured. But it’s a good way for her to get to know you guys in all aspects. You know, Emily would actually love this.”

“Is it weird that I feel like I don’t even know her at all. She’s so much younger.”

“You know Phoebe and she’s even younger.”

“I’ve known her longer.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I mean I really do need to get out of my head about whatever Dad said and worry about the family that we have.”

“You are the big brother. And I think you’re doing a pretty good job about it.”

“And I can do a better one. Because once those letters start to arrive, I have a feeling Dad’s going to do his best to try to hurt each and every one of us.”

“And we’re not going to let him. Because you have me on your side too.”

I leaned down, and brushed my lips against hers, my heart swelling.

Out of the corner of my eye, Blakely’s old boss walked by, whispering something to his wife. That glare on his face looked like it needed to be ripped off, butBlakely squeezed my hand, and just smiled over at him, before her attention went to someone else. She ignored him completely, and I couldn’t have been prouder.

Because, she was right, just like my father, that man did not have the right to have any space in her life. It looked like the older man wanted to say something, most likely a little cutting, but we moved past the couple, and toward Flynn and the woman that he wanted to introduce us to.

And that was that. No huge blowup, I didn’t pound my fist into the man’s face. And Blakely didn’t even have to say a word. She ignored him like he didn’t matter. Because he didn’t.

She was with us, the Cages, and that was just fine with me.

Not to mention that the so-called rivalry stood no chance. We’d outbid them on each and every proposal they’d tried in the past few months and would continue to do so until they got the hint.

The Cages played to win.

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