Page 71 of Word to the Wise

“I’m going to put a bullet in Carter’s fucking head.” He drops into the chair at the desk, pulling Lyla onto his lap. But even she can’t calm him down right now, and I get it.

“He’s getting bold, showing up at the shop.” Sage’s focus is on his sister. “Are you okay?”

She breathes a laugh, but it’s unamused. “No, Sage. I’m not okay.”

His jaw clenches, and Lyla places her hand over his.

It’s not Sage’s fault, but I know that just like me, he’s placing the blame on himself. I had Carter standing right in front of me, and I couldn’t do a thing about it.

I’ve learned once what can spiral from a quick reaction. For Reed, I need to be smarter.

“I have an idea.” I close my eyes, not really prepared for what I’m about to say, but it’s necessary. “I could talk to my father.”

Reed shoots upright, spearing me with her gaze. “Mason, you don’t have to do that.”

“Just hear me out.” I pull my hair back. “The easiest way to get to Carter is to hit him where it’s going to hurt—his bank account. And we know he’s putting everything into his investment with Zane Hotels. If my dad cuts ties, it will cut Carter off at the knees. Once that happens, you and your guys can do your thing.”

Sage nods, watching me intently. “What makes you think your dad will give a shit?”

“He won’t. But he raised me, so I know what to use as leverage.”

As much as I don’t accept my father’s world, I understand it. I know what makes men like him sway in one direction or another. I just need to hit him with the right angle.

So long as he benefits, he’ll drop Carter like he’s nothing.

Carter is rich and powerful but nothing compared to Zane Enterprises. Offering to help my father take Carter down has my skin crawling, but Reed is more important to me than my resentment against my family.

“You don’t need to do this,” Reed says again, looking up at me. “I can deal with him.”

“He’s not getting you, Reed.” I grip her chin. “He got six years too many already. So, if I have to bury the hatchet with my asshole father or go to jail ending Carter my damn self, I’m going to do what it takes. You don’t deserve to keep suffering for him.”

She blinks, and a tear rolls down her cheek. “Why would you do that for me?”

“Because…” I brush the tear away, even as another one falls. “You’re worth it.”

A sob rips out of her that tears me down the center. She collapses against my side and clings to my shirt. It wasn’t my intention to upset her, but she’s spent so long being told she doesn’t matter that I sense she still doesn’t know what to do with being told she does.

Glancing over at Sage, I spot him staring at his sister.

He’s not an idiot, so I’m sure he guesses there’s something going on between us. But I don’t give a fuck. Even if she ends this non-relationship we’re entertaining, I can’t hide what she means to me anymore.

“Mason.” Sage tips his chin up. “Let’s talk.”

He motions to the doorway, and Lyla stands up. But before she can walk away, he grabs her hand, kissing the back of it.

Lyla makes her way to the couch, and Reed releases me to let Lyla take my spot. It takes all my willpower to walk away from her and follow Sage out of the office. But it’s probably better we have this conversation out of earshot.

Once we’re in the hallway, he leans against one side, and I rest against the other.

“I wish you’d just snapped his fucking neck.” Sage rubs the back of his own with his hand.

“He had eyes on us. I couldn’t risk Reed getting caught up in all that.”

“I get it.” Sage pins me with his stare. “You seem to really care about my sister.”

It’d be stupid to lie, so I nod and accept it.

“She’s hurting right now.” Sage pops his knuckles. “She’s been through a lot.”

---