Page 119 of Bad Seed

“It’s hardly the bright lights of Houston,” he said.

“Unpack your clothes, Jason,” Judith said, then sat down on the sofa and called Harley to let her know they’d arrived.

***

Brendan was watching Harley dress as if she was going to war. Her expression was solemn, sometimes stern. She’d opted for the black leather pants and boots she’d first arrived in, and was standing in the closet staring at two different sweaters as if the wrong choice would be the end of her.

He would have teased her but for the seriousness of the moment, and he kept thinking,This is what they’ve done to her—made her doubt her own choices.

“Personally, I like you naked best, but those black leather pants are dangerous. You are more beautiful than a woman has a right to be.”

She turned, eyeing the boots, dark slacks, and gray cable-knit sweater he was wearing. His hair was as thick and black as hers, but where hers curled, his was bone straight with a tendency to feather across his forehead. He looked like he’d just stepped off the page of aGQmagazine.

“So says your hunky self,” she said as she pulled a butter-yellow sweater from its padded hanger andslipped it over her head. “Three days,” she said as she finger-combed her hair back in place, careful of her still-healing head wound.

“It’s not a prison sentence, just a family visit,” he said. “And you got a text while you were in the shower.”

She snagged her phone from the dresser and pulled up the text and frowned. “It’s from Wilhem Crossley. Tip’s dead. Killed in prison. Can’t say I’m sorry.”

Brendan pulled her down onto his lap. “That’s good. No danger of you ever having to testify at his trial now.”

Shock spread across her face. “I never thought of that.”

“Well, I did. Fate stepped in and took that worry away.”

Her phone rang while it was still in her hand, startling her enough that she nearly dropped it, then she answered. “Hi, Mom. Are you here?”

“Yes, we’re just now in our room and unpacking.”

“Have you had lunch?” Harley asked.

“No, and I’m starving,” Judith said.

“What’s your room number?” Harley asked.

“We have suite 702.”

“Then get yourself fluffed. We’ll come get you and escort you up to the main dining room. It’s on the tenth floor. See you soon.”

Then she hung up before Judith could argue.

“I need a kiss for fortitude,” Harley said.

“Happy to oblige,” Brendan said, then cupped herface and kissed her until she was breathless. “Let’s go do this,” he said.

“A little war paint,” Harley said as she dashed into the bathroom for a bit of lipstick and then grabbed her coat and her Dior clutch bag on the way out the door.

Soon they were on their way across town and Brendan was on the phone, reserving a table for four by the windows.

***

The moment Harley hung up, Judith hurried to the bedroom. “They’re coming to our room and taking us to lunch here at the hotel. I’m so glad. After all the flying, I didn’t want to go out again so soon.”

Excited that this day was finally here, she began rushing to freshen her makeup and hair, then quickly emptied her suitcase and hung up her clothes. She and Jason were on the sofa and waiting for the knock when Judith reached for his hand. “Please be nice. I need for him to like us.”

Jason frowned. “He’s the one who needs to be nice. We’re the ones he should want to impress.”

Judith sighed. “No. The only person he cares to impress is our daughter. I have a feeling this man won’t lose a wink of sleep if we disapprove. So, in the spirit of unity, if you get a wild hair to be an asshole, think twice. This matters to Harley, and I don’t want her to draw away from us any farther than she already has. Shehasn’t forgiven you for calling her a bitch, and I won’t forgive you if you shame us in his eyes.”

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