Quickly, she climbed out of bed and moved to the window. The second she pulled the curtain back, her heart stopped.
Oh God…her car. It was on fire.
“You’re sayingshe still hasn’t made contact? Not even with Avery?”
“Nope,” Eastern said, answering Cody’s question as he lifted a glass of water to his mouth. “And I’m so mad at her that I can barely breathe most days. But Avery seems to be okay. And my neighbor, Mrs. Hanley, has been a lifesaver, taking up the job as her nanny and caring for her when she’s not in school and I’m working.”
Cody shook his head. The bar had closed about an hour ago, and he was having a drink with his brothers before Easternstarted his night shift. He tried not to take too many of those, owing to his daughter, only when the office was desperate.
Cody was so damn angry at Eastern’s ex. The woman had always seemed selfish, but this was a whole new level.
“Remember, you have us,” Kayden said quietly. “I’ll look after my favorite niece anytime you need.”
Eastern grasped Kayden’s shoulder. “Thank you, brother.”
Cody sipped his beer. “Have you seen Matilda Taylor’s back in town?”
Kayden’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, she’s back?”
“She came in here the other night. Didn’t look happy, either.”
Kayden scowled. “Of course not. After what her father did, and the way she and her mother skipped out of town so soon after. She should have stayed away.”
Cody shared a look with Eastern. Out of all of his siblings, Kayden, the eldest, saw everything in black and white.
Eastern cleared his throat. “I think the key to what you just said iswhat her father did.”
Kayden cocked his head. “You’re telling me you think she didn’t know? That she’s had no contact with him since he robbed half the town?”
“I’m saying we don’t choose our parents, andtheircrimes shouldn’t becomeours,” Eastern explained, drawing his water to his lips.
“Yeah,” Cody agreed. “And she might be different than her dad. Hell, the five of us are different from each other. Look at me, I’m chilled out and good-looking, while you two are neither of those things.”
Kayden scoffed. “You forgot delusional.”
“What’s going on with you and Harper?” Eastern asked.
“Not nearly as much as I wish.” His fingers tightened around the bottle. “I’ve been honest with her about my feelings, but she’shesitant. She doesn’t seem to want to let me in or tell me about her family or what she’s running from.”
“Have you told her you know about her dad?” Eastern asked.
“No. And I don’t know if that’s the right decision or not, but I keep hoping she’ll open up to me when she’s ready.”
Kayden lifted a shoulder. “Maybe she won’t ever get there.”
A vein throbbed in Cody’s temple at that thought.
He was just lifting his beer again when Eastern’s cell rang.
“Eastern speaking.” There was a beat of silence, then his brother straightened, his gaze shifting to Cody. “Be right there.” He hung up. “The firebug struck again.”
“Twice in one day?” Cody growled.
“Yes—and this time they set Harper’s car on fire.”
Every muscle in Cody’s body tightened. “What the fuck?Is she okay?”
“She’s okay.”
