NA

ches me with cautious eyes, like she's not sure whether t

"what do you know a

an's uncle? The one

es

gs beneath her, settling in.

Thomas family business for decades

less

t out rivals, and made enemies without losing a

hole body changes when his uncle's name comes up. The way his voice g

s afraid of

a lot of things. He's

t dinner, or at some event, and someone would mention Richard. And

ns. "What d

last spring? The

you wore that

ight. Complaining about everything. Being loud. Actin

iden slightly.

ust quiet-careful. Like he was afraid of saying the wrong thing. I asked him about it later, a

s just being

wants, whenever he wants, and he doesn't care who it bothers. But with

astian is afraid of his uncle. What

untouchable. He thinks he can cheat on me, humiliate me, throw me away like garbage, and nothing will happen. Because who's going to

are you

e her. "One person he actually respects. One person whos

th falls ope

disappointing him. I've seen it. Every time Richard's name comes up, Sebas

chard could..." O

in that family hinges on his uncle's approval. Richard controls the money. The

ould be finished,

act

ocessing. Then she says, "Wh

ily dinner Sebastian dragged me to. He was polite but distant. Didn'

ould... what? Get Ri

what I'm thinking. I just know that Sebastian fears Richard mor

e is gentle but firm.

kno

yours or mine. They have connections. T

yone." I meet her eyes.

ent. Then she sighs. "You're not

ce is steady

whatever you do, please be care

won

ia

m not going to do anything stupid. I

look convinced. "Okay. So. Wh

ly business for decades. He's respected. Feared, even. And Sebastian-" I pause, a realization dawning. "Sebastian talks

could get Richard to disapprov

nd racing. "Richard's opinion could affect Sebastian's future in ways I never considered.

e the one who ta

, lights flickering like a million tiny promises. "But I need to understand

d to stu

es

what happens when you're done

ng out at the city, feeling the anger and the grief

I admit. "But I know

t's

e's taken everything from me and left me with nothing. But he's

t. Then, slowly, she smiles. "You kn

d sit beside her. "He doesn't deser

ound my shoulders. "So. Richa

e. "I need to find out everything I can about him. His

d t

l half-dreamed, but it's there. And for the firs

going to introduce mys