Page 42 of Shattered Secrets (Shattered Secrets 1)

“How about someone who isn’t?” She hopped onto the counter.

I shook my head. “I don’t have time for a relationship—”

“You don’t make time. My whole life you’ve never dated. Not once. And you can’t use me as an excuse anymore.”

“How about I just don’t want to?” I snapped, then sighed. It wasn’t a lie. I didn’t have time to date. Between raising Penelope and Earth Warriors, I was stretched thin.

Nothing had ever compared to that frenetic energy that moved inside me when I was around—no, I couldn’t think about that. The way it had begun to buzz the second I’d stepped into the lobby of his office. When he’d stood on the opposite side of the bars in the jail.

Through an entire dinner.

I liked Neil, and he’d make a wonderful partner for someone. That someone just wasn’t me.

I didn’t need public displays of affection, but I was too old to settle. And at least behind closed doors, I wanted what Alma and Kane had had that Labor Day weekend.

They failed. Miserably.

So maybe I didn’t want the disaster of a relationship that followed. But that magnetism. That... I wasn’t sure what it was.

Yes, you do. It’s that buzz.

That energy brought about by one other person.

“When are we meeting with Kane?”

I started at the question. I’d spent so much time trying not to think about the man. And I’d succeeded... well... sort of. Now, he was everywhere, as if he’d taken over my life.

It was a shock, but one I’d have to get used to.

Because Penelope faced an uphill battle. Possibly a long one. I needed to learn to control whatever it was that happened when it came to Kane. Most importantly my anger.

“I’m not sure.” I’d made a point to be as honest as I could be with my daughter.

If I couldn’t be truthful, I told her so.

“Mom. You didn’t set up a meeting?” She spoke like she was the parent and I was the child.

“It’s... complicated.” How could I admit I’d allowed my emotion and pride to overrule my sense?

“I know you hate him—”

“I don’t hate anyone.”

She lifted her gaze to the ceiling. “You dislike himimmenselyfor what he’s done to Aunt Alma, but we don’t have time to waste.”

The tea kettle whistled. I busied myself preparing two cups. She didn’t truly know the extent of what he’ddoneto Alma, and I wouldn’t correct her. My sister wasn’t the easiest person, but there was no excuse for Kane’s treatment of her over the duration of their marriage. Her love of money had given her strength.

“Did you discuss strategy? I didn’t do anything wrong,” she said insistently.

I handed her a teacup. “I know you didn’t.” I was glad to hear her taking things more seriously.

“You’ll have to go back to his office tomorrow. A phone call is too easy to avoid.”

I sipped the warm liquid, though it did nothing to settle me. Once again, my daughter was using my own wisdom against me. No one had ever warned me my child could end up being exactly like me. It was terrifying.

“Let’s just put this day behind us.”

She hopped off the counter and threw her arms around my waist. “I can’t believe you went to jail.”

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