Something about it bugged me, but I decided not to say anything until I had time to think it over.
With the six of us gathered around the table, it felt like old times. We used to eat together frequently when I was growing up. Logan spent plenty of time in my house when we were younger, and it only seemed natural when he and Anna got together. She was made for the life; she was gentle and soft-spoken. She knew how to defer to Logan without getting her panties in a twist, but she was tough as nails when she had to be. Our mother was very much the same.
"Is everything settled with Grandmother Gallagher's estate?" I asked out of politeness.
"Yes," Father answered. "Her house is on the market, but I don't expect we'll have to go back to do anything with that. We have a good enough realtor that we can complete the paperwork and everything electronically."
"Good."
"Our anniversary is next month." Mom glanced at my father, then back at her plate. "I thought maybe we'd have an excuse to go back then, but your father didn't think it was a good idea."
"We'll go to Europe, Elena. It's much more interesting than a depressing town of yokels."
"You didn't think that when you raised us there," Anna said.
"Things change."
The subject clearly dropped, the rest of us ate without too much comment after that. When the women went to Anna's sitting room, Father headed into the den with the other men.
"Clear out, gentlemen."
At his order, the six security men filed out. I watched them go, thinking that this man still commanded authority despite everything.
It pissed me off.
Carson took a cigar from his shirt pocket. "You have revenge for this attack taken care of, I hope."
Scowling, I watched him carefully. "We're working on it."
"You need to be merciless."
"I know." I felt my temper flare higher and attempted to squash it.
"Do you? Or do you have other things on your mind?"
I narrowed my eyes. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"They got the drop on you and Logan." He shot a nasty look at his son-in-law. "They'll do it again unless you tighten up."
I clenched my fists and reminded myself it wasn't a good idea to hit my father. "Like I said, we've got it handled."
"Go over the plan with me. I'll tell you if it's any good."
Caden shuffled his feet but didn't say anything.
I straightened my spine. "I said we've got it handled. Don’t forget, I don't answer to you."
"Look here—"
"Enough!" I shouted. "You are not the one in charge any longer!"
Storming out, I left the other three standing uncomfortably. Logan finally walked out, then Caden, until Carson was alone.
10
Burke
I spent the week ignoring my father. Every phone call went unanswered, every text unreturned. It wouldn't be very long before Carson would simply show up, but I would deal with that when the time came. I didn't accept disrespect from anyone, including my own flesh and blood.
