Page 129 of Against All Odds

Ana does most of the talking, filling me in on whatever gossip has been going on in her inner circle. She has always confused me regarding the people she spends time with. I’m not sure she even likes any of them, but I sit there, letting her fill the silence as I look at the busy streets and palm trees, wishing they were evergreens.

My phone buzzes and it’s a text.

Everett

I miss you.

I miss you more.

Everett

Kick ass, my love.

I grin.

I plan to.

Ana clears her throat. “Everett?”

“Yeah, he misses me.”

She pouts. “Aww, that’s so cute. I know how you’re missing him, too, but just remember that the sooner you handle this, the sooner you can get back to Lumber Falls.”

I laugh. “I swear you’re just doing it to be stupid now.”

“Maybe, but it made you smile.”

It did. “Thanks, Ana. For letting me stay with you and the help with Catherine.”

Ana takes my hand. “That’s what family is for.”

“I’m glad you’re on my side.”

“You should be. I’ll fuck someone up if they come after the people I love. If it weren’t for Cat, I probably would’ve done something to Dylan, but she reminded me that this is a game and I have to play the right move. So I’ll behave—for now.”

There are so few people in my life that I can truly count on, and if I have to be back in this den of vipers, at least I have themost vicious snake on my side. “I’m guessing you guys came up with some ideas?”

“Yes, she’ll be at my house, and we’ll go over the possibilities.” She squeezes. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to let him screw things up for you.”

I really hope not.

We pull up to the gate that opens when she scans the card, and we go down the windy drive. I know it hasn’t been all that long, but I genuinely forgot what it’s like to pull up to her home.

The house is absolutely massive. It has eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, three living rooms—it’s stunning, but you honestly can get lost in it. The double doors open, and her assistant is there and ... Eleanor.

I jump out of the car, and we both practically run to each other. She gives me a huge hug, and I rock back and forth with her. She cut her hair into an adorable bob, and the outfit she’s wearing is unlike anything I’ve seen her in. I step back, looking at her again. “You look amazing,” I tell her.

“You do too! You are adorable!” She grins as her gaze moves to my stomach, where you can see the bump.

“Thank you. I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

Ana chuckles as she comes up behind me. “You needed your army, girl. It’s all hands on deck.”

As alone as I felt out here, I did have good people around me. Eleanor and Ana always had my back. I guess I forgot that in a way.

The two of them flank me, and we enter the house. Catherine rises from her chair. Her dark-brown hair falls in soft waves down her back, and she’s wearing a navy-blue pantsuit with heels. She’s formidable, but she smiles warmly at me.

“Hi, Violet.”

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