He grinned.“Yep.If everyone hadn’t left when they did, I was ready to kick them out.I just needed to hold you and assure myself you’re okay.”
“Same.”
Lawson kissed her forehead, and they simply held on.At some point, her eyes drifted closed, but a call on her phone shattered the peace.
Lawson swore and shifted her.“I’ll grab it for you.”
He retrieved it from the counter and brought it to her.“Your sister.”
Dani’s heart galloped, and her hands trembled.It took a few swipes to accept the video call and put it on speaker.“Hi Evelyn.”
“Dani.Are you okay?The police called to tell me what happened.I thought it was a joke because the man said he was from the Phail Police Department.I thought it was a joke.Was it a joke?”
Dani tried to keep her voice steady.“It’s not a joke.Phail is the name of the nearest town.Marcus Ramirez is the chief.”
She heard her sister suck in a deep breath.“It’s real?The man said Jeremy tried to blow up your garage with you inside.They said that he tried to hurt you, maybe kill you.Are you okay?”
Lawson looped his arm over her shoulder and squeezed.
Dani nodded at the phone.“I’m okay.I’m here with Lawson and Bibi.We’re all okay.”She angled the phone to show Lawson and then where Bibi snoozed beside them.
“I’m so relieved.I can’t believe he tried to hurt you.I’m so sorry.So damned sorry.”
Dani swiped at a tear.“It’s not your fault.”
Evelyn choked out a shaky laugh and wiped her own tears.“I married the asshole.To my credit, I’m in the process of divorcing him.I kicked him out a few months ago.”
Dani shared a look with Lawson.“I’m sorry you’re going through that, but after today, I’m glad you’re not with him.”
“We got married because it was good for the company.Our parents were not impressed when I filed for divorce.What would the board think?What would happen to their reputation?I wish I’d followed in your footsteps, Dani, but it didn’t cross my mind to refuse the setup.I was so jealous when you were able to walk away.”
“Why were you here with Jeremy the other day?”
Evelyn sighed.“Mother asked me to come to see you.To talk sense into you and get you to sign the merger.She told me Jeremy had convinced her and Father that it was an important move for the company.If we didn’t move with the times, we’d lose everything.I didn’t know he’d be with me until the car pulled up to pick me up.”
“They set you up to go with him?”
Evelyn’s mouth twisted.“I think Mother thought we could work things out on the ride.Jeremy was pissed as hell when I wouldn’t let him close the window between us and the driver.I didn’t speak to him then and haven’t seen him since that day.”
“I’m glad he never hurt you.”
Evelyn shuddered.“Me too, although the violence is a surprise.He’s not exactly the big bruiser type.I’m sure one look from Lawson would have him shaking.”
Lawson snorted, and Dani laughed.“That’s pretty much what happened.”
Lawson grinned.“Bibi beat me to it, though.She terrified him.”
Evelyn managed a quick grin, but it was shaky.“I was too confused and freaked out when I talked to the police chief.I don’t even know why he called me.Although I guess it makes sense since the divorce hasn’t gone through officially.Tell me what happened.”
Dani walked her through it, with Lawson helping with the details.Throughout, Evelyn was shocked.No one was a good enough actress to fake it that well.
Her sister sighed.“Such an idiot.I suspected he was gambling.He always denied it, but the signs were there.That’s one reason I kicked him out.I’m so glad he didn’t hurt you.”
Dani blinked away her own tears.“Still not your fault.”
Evelyn smiled.“I’m glad you don’t hate me by association.”
“Not a chance.I imagine it will be a bit of a nightmare once our parents find out what happened.”
