Page 28 of Nothing to Beat

“We need to talk about my sister.”

Though her focus was back on Roxie, Tripp’s fingers threaded between hers, locking them in support and comfort.And, no, she wasn’t thinking about what may have occupied those hands not so long ago.

“Your sister?”Roxie said, folding her arms in sync with a quick, shallow head shake.“Okay, has he spoken to her recently?”

“I don’t know.I need to know where she is.He’s the only one who knows.”The only one she knew who knew.“Unless he told you.”

Would her newly minted friend trust her enough to reveal the answer?She wasn’t sure she wanted Roxie to surrender too fast.Yes, she needed to know, but she also didn’t want her sister’s location given up too easy.

And what a can of worms.Okay, she admitted it, she’d avoided Zairn for this precise reason.Not that their paths crossed often, but, until recently, she’d never actively swerved him.Actively might be a bit much, except… When she heard what happened, heard there was a plan in the works, the first thing she should’ve done was get on board and track Zairn down.Instead, she poured wine and went for a soak in the tub.

No amount of scrubbing would ever get that stink off.

“I’m behind the curve here,” Roxie said, glancing at Tripp.How could she be confused when the truth was so dire?Maybe the woman wasn’t sharp after all.“I’m looking for a Drury sister?Don’t think I know a Drury sister…”

Oh, shit.Duh.That explained the confusion.

“Seq uses her mom’s maiden name,” Tripp explained.“You’re not looking for a Drury.”

Perhaps for dramatic effect, he lingered.She could speak up, should speak up; it had been so long since she’d confessed the truth out loud.Confessed her shame.Owned her lineage.In her defense, it was a lineage she didn’t want.Couldn’t pick your family, right?

Maybe that’s what it was, Tripp wasn’t pausing to build the tension, he’d presented an opening he expected her to seize.Right, cue taken, time for her line…

“Still none the wiser…” Roxie might be chill now, how would she feel after hearing the truth?God, she hated when new people found out.The questions.Intrigue.Assumptions.Judgment.“I can snake Z’s phone if we take a ride.Whoever she is, she’ll be in there.”

“She won’t.”Her mouth dried, but this was it, no out now.“He wouldn’t be that careless.”

And knowing Zairn, not everyone in his directory would be listed under their real name.She’d be surprised if he even used his regular phone when talking to her sister.

Roxie’s aura thickened.“This is serious.”

“I’ll say,” Tripp said and picked up her missed line.“Seq here’s a Gambatto.”

“A Gamba—”

Roxie may have stopped talking, but her mouth stayed open.

“Yes, I confess,” she said on a resigned sigh.Where was that energy when she needed it?“My father is one of the nation’s biggest crime bosses—was.That’s obviously changed in recent—since everything.I hear the Irish have it now.”

Roxie’s arms fell loose at her sides, swinging under their own momentum.“You’re from Chicago?”Wait… what?“Oh my God!”Roxie hurried over to pull her into a hug.“How in the hell have you been in this city so long and we haven’t found each other?”

When the woman drew back, huge smile on her face, Sequoia almost recoiled.This was not a typical reaction to the news.

“From—yes—yes, I’m from Chicago.”

“You hide it well, why do you hide it?I should’ve known with the deep dish.Damn me for being distracted by its deliciousness.I saw you loved it, I just thought you had great taste.”

“I don’t—”

“Oh my God!”Roxie hugged her again.“I will never forgive Zairn for hiding this from me.”

“I don’t think he would hide it—”

“He definitely hid it,” Tripp said, all mischief.

Roxie took her hand and led her to the couch.She didn’t let go of Tripp, so he came too.

“This is perfect, amazing, I need more of home here.Do you get back much?”

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