Page 102 of The Forever Rule

I had a feeling my smile added a slight bitter edge to it, but I masked it quickly. “She persevered. Somehow.”

“And we were perfect angels,” Flynn added.

The older woman threw her head back and laughed, and attention was on us once again, but this time for a different curiosity.

“I’ve always liked you Flynn.”

“And I’ve always liked you. I’m really sad that you’re married though. I can’t whisk you away.”

“You’re lucky that you golf with my husband and he knows you’re kidding,” she said with a laugh. “And I know you’re just buttering me up because you want to work with me, and I get it. But I’ve always really liked you.”

“And I don’t joke the way that I do with just anyone,” Flynn added, and I had a feeling that he felt bad about teasing the way he had. We had to schmooze and put on fake laughs for most people, but not for her.

“We do like you, you know,” I said softly, and the other woman’s eyes softened.

“I know you do. So, you three Cages work together. This company is still thriving despite what that old man of yours did,” she said, the biting tone making us all stand up a little straighter. “Are any of the others going to work with you? I don’t need to know the details of the will or inheritance,” she said, waving off any speculation. “I just know how family can be.”

Her smile went wistful, and I remembered in that moment, that she had had four children, three of them dying in a plane crash when they had been teenagers, ontheir way to visit relatives. Her remaining son was now happily married, and had given Patricia grandchildren, but I couldn’t even imagine the loss.

“We’re figuring out the family part,” I answered.

“One step at a time,” James put in. “Although we did hire one sister,” he said.

The other woman’s eyes brightened. “You did? Is she here?” she asked, looking around.

I shook my head. “No, she’s a forensic accountant. This isn’t really her scene.” Though I didn’t know Isabella’s scene completely, I had a feeling a meeting like this wouldn’t be it.

“Well, when I come down to Denver, I’m going to have to meet her and the rest. I really like you Cage brothers, and I should meet the rest of them. Including that rockstar,” she said, this time the laugh full out.

I sighed, as both James and Flynn chuckled. “It puts our meager standings inForbesand other circles to shame, doesn’t it?” I asked wryly.

“He does have good music, and my granddaughters love him. Maybe you can get me an autograph? Make me the best grandma ever? I’m still competing with their mother’s mother. That old bitty got them horses for Christmas. Actual horses.”

I pressed my lips together, as James assured her that we would get Kyler’s autograph. I wasn’t quite sure how we were going to do that, but we’d find a way. If anything, I would ask Blakely. She was on better terms with him than we were for now.

We finished up our conversation, laughing along theway, and we went to go speak with a few other people. As James and Flynn went in opposite directions, each on a mission, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I looked over to see Mr. Howard staring at me.

“I knew she was working for you the whole time. Espionage? Really?” the other man asked.

His voice was low, but deep enough that it could carry. I was not about to have Blakely’s reputation or the Cage’s impinged with this asshole.

“You know she wasn’t. You know that you’re just jealous of her talents, and our business. We aren’t rivals, Howard. We never were. Only in your mind.”

“I’ll have her arrested,” the other man snapped, and I smelled the bourbon on his breath.

“You can try, and I will take you for everything you’re worth.”

Howard’s gaze narrowed. “So you’re fucking her as well. I knew you were. It couldn’t just be one dance like I said. Fucking the help? I should have known.”

I moved forward, hands clenched, but then James was between us, my usually quiet brother literally growling.

“You’re going to want to step back. Blakely works for me, not Aston. And if you say a single word about her again, in front of me, or anywhere that I hear about, I’ll sue you for all that you’re worth. Then I’ll let Aston have what’s left of you.”

The other man gulped, and I glared over James’s shoulder. We were creating a scene, the exact thing I didnot want, but as the older man seemed to realize what was happening, he finally left, and James let out a breath.

“You okay?” he asked, as Flynn came toward us.

“I’m fine, but I need a breather. I’m going to go out on the balcony, and just get some air.”

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