* * *

  “Is he gone?” Siobhan asked, coming into the family room, where Morgan sat sprawled on the love seat.

  “Yep. You knew he would come, didn’t you?”

  She nodded.

  “I told him what you said about not wanting to see him, but it would be nice to know why.”

  She lowered herself into one of the armchairs. “I thought Justin was different, but it turns out he’s not. Gray Home Safety was his target from the night we met. Bobby Mitchell was at the restaurant, and he went on and on about how he’d got Justin the invitation to the fund-raiser, how glad he was that Justin and I had connected because Justin had done some research...”

  “But that doesn’t mean anything.”

  “Yes, it does, Morgan. Can’t you see his intentions from the beginning were to get his product to the market through our company?”

  Morgan sat up. “True, but you told me that he thought your last name was Hunter, so he had no way of getting to Dad through you.”

  “He could have been lying just to string me along.” Her doorbell rang again. “Please don’t tell me he’s back,” she mumbled.

  “Probably the brothers,” Morgan said, going to answer the door.

  Siobhan hopped up and rushed behind her. “What? Why did you call them?”

  “Just in case we needed backup.”

  This was the last thing she needed. All three of her brothers filed past her into the house looking as if they were ready to kill someone.

  Of course, Brandon spoke first. “Siobhan, you have one minute to tell me why we shouldn’t track down Justin right now.”

  Morgan raised her hand and smiled. “Ooh, I can answer that.”

  All eyes turned Morgan’s way. Siobhan glared at her.

  “It’s easy. He didn’t do anything.”

  Siobhan threw up her hands. “Were you not listening to what I just told you? The man used me to get into this company, and you call that nothing?”

  “Correction—you just think he did because you found out from someone else that he wanted to partner with us. Never once did you say Justin asked you for a favor. And you lied to him about your name.” She turned to her brothers. “She gave him Mom’s maiden name, so he didn’t even know her last name until a week ago, right, Siobhan? Did he ask you to make an appointment with Dad or in any way solicit your help?”

  “Dammit, Morgan! Cut the legalese and make your point,” Khalil said.

  “I’m trying to make my point, but I can’t do it if you keep interrupting and don’t let Vonnie answer the questions.”

  Brandon swung his gaze back to Siobhan. “So answer the question.”

  With all eyes on her, she said softly, “No.”

  “Ha! I told you,” Morgan said.

  “Malcolm, get your twin,” Khalil said. To Siobhan, he said, “Sis, if Justin never asked for your help, what makes you think he was out to do the same thing as Arthur?”

  Siobhan’s shoulders slumped, and the tears she’d been holding back spilled down her cheeks. She couldn’t take them all being against her. “Why are you all making it sound like this is my fault? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  Brandon came over and embraced her. “Whoa. No one said you did anything wrong. What it sounds like to me is a big misunderstanding between you and Justin. I can’t believe I’m saying this,” he muttered, “but I met him, and he seems like a good guy. And I can tell you that Dad gave him a card the night of the banquet and asked him to set up an appointment, which got canceled twice before this last time—once on our end and once on Justin’s.”

  His words gave her something to think about. No, Justin hadn’t asked for her help. He had adamantly refused it and specifically requested that she not influence her father in any way because he had wanted the product to stand on its own.

  Siobhan buried her face in Brandon’s chest, and the tears came faster. What had she done?

  * * *

  “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Mr. Gray,” Justin said, entering the office and reaching out to shake the man’s hand. “Nice to see you again, Brandon.”

  “Same here.”

  “Have a seat,” Mr. Gray said. “You said you had an urgent matter to discuss. Is this about the alert system?”

  “Yes and no.” He searched his mind for a good way to express what he had come to say, and in the end, he just stated it simply and truthfully. “I’m in love with your daughter Siobhan.”

  Mr. Gray’s eyes widened, and his face registered shock. “Oh. I didn’t realize she was dating someone seriously.”

  Brandon, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair and rested his elbow on the table, a look of amusement on his face.

  “I met her the same night I met you, and we’ve been dating ever since, except I didn’t find out until recently she was your daughter, after I fell in love with her.” Justin wanted to be clear that his feelings for Siobhan had nothing to do with her name.

  “I’m a little confused as to how you wouldn’t know who she was.”

  “She told me her last name was Hunter.”

  Mr. Gray chuckled. “Ah, my DeAnna’s maiden name. But you still haven’t told me what this has to do with our partnership.”

  He took a deep breath. “Last night, a friend of mine mentioned to her that I had been looking to do business with you from the first before I had a chance to tell her. She assumed I had been using her...like her ex.”

  “And did you? If so, then I may have to rethink this partnership.”

  Brandon sat up abruptly. “Dad, you can’t be serious. Their relationship has nothing to do with business.”

  “Ah, but it does, son. Integrity far outweighs money.”

  Justin nodded. “I agree completely, sir, and that’s why I’m here.” His stomach constricted, and the words got stuck in his throat. “I did not betray Siobhan’s trust as she believes I did. The only thing I’m guilty of is not telling her I already had an appointment with you after she revealed her identity. I don’t want to hurt her any further, so I believe it would be in my best interest to withdraw from our agreement.”

  “Don’t you want to take some time to reconsider this decision?” Brandon asked. “I’m sure we could work something out.”

  “I wish there was another way, but as your father stated, integrity outweighs money. My integrity and your sister mean more to me than any amount of money.”

  “Dad?”

  Mr. Gray shrugged. “Sounds like you’ve made up your mind, Justin.”

  “I apologize for the inconvenience, but yes, I’ve made up my mind.” The responses of father and son were polar opposites. Mr. Gray reminded Justin of his first boss, a true old-school businessman who’d mastered the perfect harmony between money and family. It was, ultimately, what he wanted, too.

  Mr. Gray nodded and clasped his hands together on the desk. “I respect your honesty. We have an appointment on Friday at eleven to sign the contract, correct?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Then you’ll have until that time to decide. If you’re not in my office by eleven o’clock sharp, the deal is off. Are we clear?”

  “Very.” He stood and extended his hand. “Thank you for your time.”

  Justin exited the office and almost bowled Siobhan over. He reached out to steady her. “Sorry.”

  “Justin. I guess you came to sign on the dotted line.”

  “Actually, I came to talk to your father about withdrawing from our partnership.”

  “Why would you do that?” Siobhan asked with surprise.

  “Do you really have to ask?” He shook his head. “You don’t get it, Siobhan, do you? None of this matters if I can’t have you. I can always find another backer, but I’ll never find another you. See you around.”

  Justin turned and walked off. Seeing her again magnified the pain spreading through his chest. His business he could do without, but he could not live without Siobhan.

  * * *

  Siobhan entered her father’s office and stopped short. Her father and Brandon were engaged in a heated discussion. “What’s going on?”

  They both looked her way, but it was Brandon who answered. “We just lost the biggest deal in the history of this company, that’s what.”

  Her father waved him off. “We haven’t lost anything.”

  Brandon slammed his hand on the desk. “Dad, did you not hear what the man said? He’s withdrawing from the deal. Do you realize that’s potentially millions of dollars going somewhere else?”

  She could barely breathe. Millions? Justin had given up all this money. “Why?” she choked out.

  “He has some asinine belief that if he does this, it’ll prove to you that he wasn’t after your name or money,” Brandon said.

  “That’s enough, Brandon,” her father cut in. “Go back to your office and cool down. I need to talk to your sister.”

  Brandon stomped past her and slammed the door behind him, causing Siobhan to jump.

  “Have a seat, honey.”

  Siobhan sat in one of the visitor chairs, and her father took the other one.

  “You want to tell me what’s going on?”

  “Justin probably already told you.”

  “He told me his side. Now I want to hear yours.”

  She swiped at the tears, and her father reached in his pocket and wiped them with his handkerchief, just like he used to do when she was little. She started at the beginning and told him everything that had happened up to the previous night.

  He folded his arms and angled his head thoughtfully. “Well, you both made some mistakes. You should’ve never deceived him in the first place, and he should have come clean.”

  “I know, but you don’t understand, Daddy.”

  “I think I do. I want you to listen to me, and listen good. I know that Arthur fellow hurt you pretty badly, but it’s more than that. Sweetheart, you’ve been holding on to that guilt over Malcolm’s accident for too long. Let it go. No one holds you responsible for your brother’s antics. You were just a child yourself. We accepted long ago that we just needed to make sure we kept up the medical insurance and let him be.” He shook his head. “I’m so sorry, baby girl. Had I known it was this bad, I would’ve said something years ago.” He grasped her hands. “Let it go. We’re very proud of you, always have been. I love you, so much.”

  “I love you, Daddy.” Despite her best efforts, Siobhan broke down and sobbed, releasing decades of hurts and years of trying to be worthy of their love, when she’d had it all along.

  He wrapped her in his protective arms and whispered that everything would be all right. He held her until the last tear had dried. “Now, Justin is a good man. I haven’t seen too many young men with his integrity. He listened to your reasoning for lying about your name, and you owe him the same courtesy. It’s only fair, and we taught you five to always choose what’s right.”

  Siobhan hugged her father again. “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “You can thank me by living your life. It’s been a long day. Now go home and get some rest. I’m going down to your brother’s office and see if I can pull him off the ceiling.”

  She laughed.

  “That boy is too intense. If he doesn’t calm down, he’s going to have a heart attack.”

  “Good luck.” She kissed him on the cheek, went to her office, locked up and went home.

  Siobhan had a lot to think about, and getting Justin back topped her list.

  Chapter 19

  Siobhan read Brandon’s text and rolled her eyes. She typed back: U do not need to stop by on ur way home. I’m fine. Just taking the day off. First Morgan had called, and now Brandon was sending her messages. True, she had never taken a day off, but after yesterday, she was emotionally and physically drained and needed some time to regroup. It felt good to still be in her pajamas at eleven. She had been able to sleep for a few hours, but realized she wouldn’t truly rest until she had a chance to talk to Justin.

  She picked up the phone to call him and then put it down again. What she had to say could only be done face-to-face, but she didn’t have his address. Siobhan tapped the phone against her chin and tried to recall the directions to his house. An idea came to her, one she probably shouldn’t even think about, but hey, she was desperate. She tapped the button on her phone.

  “Gray Home Safety, this is Gloria Avery. How can I help you?”

  “Hi, Ms. Avery. This is Siobhan. I’m off-site today and planned to stop by Mr. Cartwright’s house to drop off some information. However, I left his address in my office. Would you mind looking it up for me?” Siobhan held her breath, praying the woman wouldn’t ask any questions.

  “Certainly, Siobhan. Hold on while I get it.”

  “Thank you,” she said, exhaling. She jotted down the address Ms. Avery gave her, thanked the woman and promptly ended the call. Too bad getting up the nerve to see Justin wouldn’t be as easy.

  She started toward her bedroom to get dressed, and the doorbell rang. “Good grief.” Must be either Khalil or Malcolm. Sometimes she wished she were an only child. “This is really getting old, guys,” she said, opening the door.

  “I beg your pardon.”

  Siobhan gasped in surprise. “Mom. Sorry—I thought you were Malcolm or Khalil. Come in.” She closed the door and led her mother to the family room. “Do you want some coffee or tea?”

  “No, baby. I came to see how you’re doing. Your dad told me you had a rough day yesterday.”

  She should have known her father would tell his wife. They shared everything, and after thirty-six years of marriage, they still dated. “I’m okay.”

  Her mother patted the space on the sofa next to her. “Come and sit.” When Siobhan sat, her mother said, “You’re so much like me when I was younger it’s frightening—always trying to shoulder everybody’s burdens and thinking you have to do everything yourself.” She smiled softly.

  “I don’t remember you being that way.”

  “Because your father helped me to see that, although I was capable, I didn’t have to do it all. But I’m not going to lecture you anymore. Your dad most likely did enough for the both of us,” she added with a chuckle. “I just wanted to see for myself how you’re doing.”

  Siobhan hugged her mom. “I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you, too. So, what’s going on with this nice young man I heard so much about? Any progress?”

  She laughed. “I knew it. That’s the real reason you came over here.”

  “Well?”

  “I haven’t talked to him. I was just about to get dressed and go over.”

  “Without calling?”

  “Um...yes.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  “Mom?”

  “What? I don’t advocate for women to chase after men, but since you’ve already got him, it won’t hurt to remind him why he chose you in the first place.” Her mother smoothed down her cropped salt-and-pepper layers.

  Siobhan’s mouth dropped. She had never seen this side of her mother.

  “You don’t stay happily married all these years without a little spice,” she added with a wink.

  “Daddy had no idea what he was getting himself into when he met you, huh?”

  “Honey, he still doesn’t.”

  This had to be the most enlightening conversation she’d ever had with her mother. She couldn’t wait to tell Morgan. “The three of us are going to have to schedule a mother-daughter day soon.”

  Her mom rose gracefully to her feet. “Let me know when. I can work around yours and Morgan’s schedules.”

  “Okay.”

  “Oh, and invite Justin to the family dinner on Sunday.”

  “I’m not sure we’ll be able to straighten things out.”

  She smiled knowingly. “You will. Are you expecting someone?” her mom asked when the bell rang.

  “No, but Morgan called and Brandon sent texts. My guess is it’s Khalil or Malcolm.” As she’d suspected, Khalil stood on the porch wearing athletic pants and an Under Armour shirt. He had clearly come from the gym. “Good morning. I’m fine.”

  “Morning. Brandon called and asked me to check on you. Hey, Mom, I didn’t expect to see you,” he said when their mother appeared in the doorway. He kissed her cheek.

  “Good morning, son. Kiss your sister and tell her you’ll see her later. She has some business to attend to.”

  Khalil divided his gaze between their mother and Siobhan. He kissed his sister. “Um, okay. I guess I’ll see you later.”

  Hooking her arm in his, her mother said to him, “Since you have all this time on your hands, you can take your mother out to lunch.”

  Siobhan stifled a laugh and gave him a little wave.

  He waved back and called over his shoulder, “I guess I’m going to lunch with Mom.”

  “Have fun,” Siobhan said.

  Her mother smiled. “Oh, we will. I want to find out if he’s any closer to settling down than the last time I asked.”

  This time Siobhan couldn’t hold back her laughter, especially when she saw the look of horror on her brother’s face. She closed the door. I love my family.

  The short conversation with her mother had helped tremendously. It was time to reclaim her man.

  * * *

  Siobhan checked her makeup one last time in the rearview mirror and got out of the car. She scanned the front of Justin’s house. In the light of day, it was even more elegant, from the neatly manicured lawn and various annuals that lined the edges, to the stone siding accents and solid wood double doors. Gathering her courage, she rang the bell. After what seemed like forever, she heard the locks disengage.

  “Siobhan, hey.”