“I don’t know if I want to join the legal team at the firm or follow the Harrington tradition and become President and CEO.”
“I think Axel will convince his men to become attorneys,” Mattie said. “Ryder, Ransom, and Axel are three peas in a pod. But imagine heading a powerful corporation with the ears of equally powerful people especially in government and law enforcement? You want to help CJ? Wield the type of influence that will shield him and the club, and you’ll achieve your goal.”
“You might be right,” Grant said after a stretch of silence. “Besides, Roxy is so fucking upset. Rebel’s pissed with me. Harley didn’t say much, but I know she’s upset, too. Hearing your opinion just sealed the deal and underscored what they’ve been saying.”
“I’m sure you were about to fold anyway with all that pressure. Lolly is formidable.”
“She is, but I was going to be a supreme motherfucker and ignore her just to show my dad he can’t control my life.”
“Did she know?”
“She has a collapsible baton and I’m still fucking walking. What do you think?”
Mattie giggled, really wishing she could see Grant and hating the way butterflies swooped in her belly every time he laughed.
“Rebel guessed, though.”
“She would. Uncle Christopher and all her brothers try to control her.”
“A disaster in the making, but you didn’t hear that from me.”
“I agree, but you didn’t hear that from me.”
“She said I’ve lost my fucking mind.”
“Same thing Pop said.”
“Nope. The quote was ‘have you lost your motherfucking mind?’ End quote.”
“I have never heard Pop lose his temper like that.”
“You and me both. He shocked the fuck out of me. Rebel thinks itwas warranted.”
“I do, too,” Mattie said with a little sniff, smoothing the volumes of material in the skirt of her nightgown.
“Little sisters.” Grant’s amusement warmed Mattie. “What am I going to do with you two?”
“You’ve forgotten Harley.”
“That’s my niece.”
“Oh my God! I forgot. Our family tree is insane.”
“Fuck, tell me about it. Did you know Jana Reynolds was possibly your half-sister?”
“Instead of my great-aunt?” Shifting her weight and folding her arms, Mattie rolled her eyes. “Refer to the insanity of our family tree.”
“How’s Aunt Kendall holding up?”
How could Mattie have been so insensitive? Of course her mother was walking around like a zombie. Finding out about Jana must’ve been a shock. If not for everything else going on, Mattie probably would’ve been acting just as Mama was for the same reason.
“That bad, huh?”
“I don’t know honestly,” Mattie responded, wrapping her arms around her waist to contain her rapidly fleeing warmth. It barely helped and she shivered. “I didn’t see much of Mama or Daddy today. I think they are both suffering from the fallout of what the DNA revealed.”
Grant didn’t respond, but she heard keys jingling. Suddenly, his flashlight beamed against her face and body as he slowly moved his phone down.
“You’re cold? And shoeless,” he added when the light landed on her exposed feet. The hem of this particular nightgown ended at her ankles. He held out his phone. “Hold this.”
