“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Clay said drily.
“No,” she said. “I’m keeping it short and sweet. Where I’m leaving and when I arrived. If you think I’m texting every time I walk out of my condo building, even to go to the gym, you’re all nuts.”
“This works for now,” Ford said.
“Ford,” Clay said. “Go out to your truck.”
“No,” Ford said.
“I’m giving you a warning now. You’re not going to want to see this,” Clay said. “Go.”
Ford ground his teeth and turned to leave. Gale stayed with him and Clay.
The gun came out from behind Clay’s back and Rory wondered what the fuck was going on and was prepared to defend himself.
Was he so wrong about this family?
Gale’s smile was the only thing he saw though, followed by her laugh.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“Here,” Clay said. “You need to protect yourself. Gale said you didn’t bring a gun with you.”
“Not across state lines. I’m not registered here and need nothing to jam me up.”
“Keep it with you. Gale has hers, that’s one of mine.”
“One of many, I’m sure,” Gale said, looking at her brother.
“You don’t need to know those things. If my sister is harmed in any way, you’re answering to me. Not sure you want to risk that.”
Clay turned and left with the paper, Ford returning inside.
Rory put the gun behind his back quickly while Ford looked at the ceiling. “Are you ready, Gale?”
“No. Rory can bring me back home. I want to talk to him for a bit.”
Ford sighed as if he didn’t want to agree to that, but looked over. “I’ll bring her back,” he said.
“Do I have to text you all when I’m home now since I’ll be with Rory anyway?”
“Your sarcasm isn’t lost on me,” Ford said. “The answer is, yes, you do.”
“Then Clay is going to know I didn’t return with you,” she said sweetly.
He could see Ford processing that statement. “This time only since you’re with Rory. Tomorrow morning, we all expect to get that text. Gale, this is serious.”
“I never thought it wasn’t.” She moved closer to her brother. “Thank you for believing me. You guys all taught me well. Don’t worry.”
“I’ll always worry about everyone in the family and you know it. Don’t ask the impossible.”
18
LIVE IN THE MOMENT
“That went about the way I thought it’d go,” Gale said when her last brother walked out the door, leaving her alone with Rory.
“I want to side with your brothers,” he said.
