Page 177 of In Love and Revenge

I’m rubbing at my temples with my head in my hands when there’s a knock at my office door.

‘Ready for the meeting?’ Dove asks, barging in, giving me no choice, not that I would have said no anyway. It’s our tradition. With one small tweak ...

‘Sure am. I don’t need to say, “Make yourselves at home”.’

Despite the constant dull ache in my chest, I smile as my sister and two brothers spill into my office – our new location. Dove flings herself on to one of the couches and Gabe deposits Benedict into one of the cat beds he somehow managed to sneak into my office. And for some unfathomable reason, I haven’t drop-kicked it back out the door like I would have once. The big ginger furball is actually a good listener when he chooses to hang around in my office, which he’s taken to doing. Not that I’ll tell my therapist that; he might think his bi-weekly sessions are in jeopardy. Or more likely, he’ll tell me I’m making progress again and give me one of his looks of pride like I’m a star student. I chuckle to myself. I hate the guy because I need him. But each time I walk out of his office I also feel lighter.

I rise from my desk as Angelo flicks on the coffee machine and starts fixing one for everyone.

‘Beautiful day,’ Dove comments, gazing out of the floor-to-ceiling windows beside the seating area.

‘It is,’ I agree, strolling over to the window and sliding my hands into my pockets as I look out at the clear blue sky, and then across the city skyline.

The others continue getting things set up, understanding me enough that they don’t interfere. I might look calm, standing less than a metre from my office windows, but they know better than anyone that my hands are inside my pockets to hide the white knuckles as I curl my fingers so tightly into my palm that I’ll leave nail marks.

But I’m standing. Not falling.

And each time I move a little closer, or push myself a little harder, the swirl of anxiety in my gut lessens, and my heart pounds just that tiny bit slower.

I’m making progress. One day at a time.

‘Let’s start with the Dellainy case. How’s that going?’ I ask, turning away from the view and taking a seat beside Dove.

‘Walk in the park,’ Angelo replies with a cocky grin.

I raise a brow. ‘A simple “signed”, or “still in progress” will do.’

He chuckles, lifting his palms up, either side of the armchair he’s sunk into. ‘Signed. And I got a referral from them for a friend of theirs who has a collection of private art they want to insure.’

‘Good. Keep us updated. How about Ketteridge?’ I direct at Dove.

The client has gone quiet since the party at their house months ago, but I expected that to be the case. The business has been going through some big restructures.

‘We’ve got the contracts ready. I’m meeting with Phillip on Wednesday to go over them. He sounded keen to sign when I spoke with him yesterday.’

‘Where are you meeting him?’ Gabe asks, looking up over the top of his laptop where he’s taking notes.

‘He’s coming here,’ Dove says.

‘Phillip Ketteridge is coming here?’

‘Yep.’

My brother’s gaze fixes on Dove’s for a moment before he clears his throat and looks back at his screen. ‘I have a meeting with the building’s security firm to go over some upgrades on Wednesday. Benedict and I will be out all day.’

‘Don’t they usually come here?’ Angelo pipes up.

Gabriel’s lips thin, but his fingers don’t slow from flying over the keys. ‘Not this time.’

Dove narrows her eyes in his direction, her lips twisted in thought for a moment, before the meeting continues.

We go over everything that’s coming up for the week, then Angelo and Gabe head out, taking Benedict with them.

Dove stays seated. ‘Have you heard from Dom?’

She doesn’t try to sugarcoat it, getting straight to the point.

I suck in a sharp breath.