“What did he want in return?”
I scratched my cheek, forgetting she’d had years to learn our father’s ways while I’d been in Florida and at school.
“To see Reid.”
Her lips made an exaggeratedoh. “No wonder you looked so pissed when I walked in.”
She took the phone from me and, before I could stop her, texted Tori.
“What the hell?” I said, snatching it from her. “How do you know my password?”
The roll of her eyes emphasized her annoyance with my question. “Because it’s the same one you’ve used for years. I saw you put it in after you blocked me from your phone.” Her eyes went wide. “Wait, isn’t Tori’s birthday in March?”
“Shut up.” I didn’t like how she knew my password or how she’d deduced it was Tori’s birthday.
A gentle knock had my eyes flying to the door. Tori peeked in, her blue eyes bright.
“Oh, an impromptu meeting? Do I need to get Sean?” she asked, walking in. I couldn’t stop my eyes from perusing her. She looked sexy, and jealousy stabbed at me. The shirt she wore brought out the blue in her eyes. It cut in a square across her chest, leaving the hint of cleavage but it was the curve hugging skirt with the slit up the side paired with the heels emphasizing her amazing legs that had me wanting to lock her in my office so no one else could look at her.
“No, Gabe has something to share.”
I swung my sight to Liv, glaring at her as she gave me a cocky grin.
“What’s up?”
“Go on, little brother. Tell her what you’re up to.”
“Remind me to bury your body in a remote wooded area when I’m done killing you,” I snapped.
“You have that on record, Tori. Just in case I disappear.”
Tori looked between the two of us, her brows cinching. “What’s going on, Gabe?”
I cleared my throat and walked around to the front of the desk, my eyes flicking to the bottle of scotch on my bar. She trailed the action, frowning. I shoved my hands in my pockets to stave off the craving to pour myself a glass. The crutch had been there too long, and I no longer needed it.
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with.”
Liv huffed as Tori’s confusion grew.
“It’s like she’s your kryptonite. You get all sappy and soft when she’s around. Tell her the truth before I do.”
Tori’s arms folded over her chest, and I knew the look that now sat in her eyes. Distrust.
“I’m planning on taking Bradman down,” I admitted, palming my neck.
The shock that warped her eyes to a darker hue made me regret telling her. “Are you mad? And why…” Her lips thinned, anger staining her features. “You weren’t planning to tell me, were you?” When I didn’t answer, she looked crushed. “Damn it, Gabe. You promised no more secrets.”
She turned to leave, but I ran after her, inserting myself between her and the door.
“I’m telling you,” I blurted, feeling completely out of control.
With a glance back at Liv, she said, “Because Liv convinced you to. You promised me, Gabe.”
I dropped my eyes, hating that I had hurt her again without meaning to. “I was only doing it to protect you.”
She let out a long sigh, shaking her head. “No more protecting me. Not if it means secrets and lies.”
“I promise. I…I didn’t think about it until Liv pulled the truth from me and opened my eyes to what would happen if I went through with it behind your back. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you or to have you doubt me.”
