She sighed.
He headed to the door.
Murtagh followed him.
He opened it to Carolyn.
He immediately started to close it making a mental note toget a goddamned peephole, even if he hadn’t gotten one up until then because hedidn’t want it fucking with the look of his door.
She threw out a hand to catch it and begged, “Please, Dutch.I’m not here to cause problems.I’m here to talk to Georgie.”
“That’s notgonnahappen,” heinformed her.
“Serious.I’m notgonnabe abitch.I promise.”
She said this putting her other hand on the door, and allher weight into both.
“Stop pushing on the door, Carolyn.”
Her gaze went beyond him, and she exclaimed, “Georgie!Please.I was out of line and I’m sorry.Totally.But I need to talk to you.”
He felt Georgie’s hand on the skin at the small of his backbecause he was again only in his sleep shorts before Georgiana said softly,“Dutch.”
Fuck.
He opened the door.
Carolyn came in.
He shut the door, then moved to stand in front of Georgie sohe was to the side, in order she could see her sister, but he was still outfront.
And he started it by laying his one ground rule.
“Any shit comesouttayour mouthto your sister that I do not like, I swear to fuck, Carolyn, I’ll put you out.”
She stared at him, a weird longing on her face that startedto make him feel nauseous, until he got it.
It wasn’t about him.
It was about what she lost in Jagger.
“Carolyn,” Georgie called her attention.
Carolyn looked beyond him to her sister.
“I’m in a bind,” she said.
Dutch crossed his arms on his chest.
“I get it,” she continued.“It’s not your problem.It’s notanyone’s problem.But mine.But I’m going to be evicted, like, tomorrow if Idon’t give them at least three months’ rent.”
She stopped talking and Georgie didn’t start.
“Georgie,” she pleaded.
“I want to help you,” Georgie said in a quiet voice.
Shit.
