He shoved his hands into the pockets of his suit coat. Was reminded when the jacket pulled open that he hadn’t taken off the shoulder harness and weapon to lock them in the trunk as he normally did. He narrowed his eyes against the glare of the sinking sun and said nothing for a few minutes. Because it was never wise to arm Kristin with more ammunition to use against him, he wouldn’t let her know how deeply her words wounded.
“Well,” he managed finally. “You’re not exactly the first woman to tell me that. Although the last one used a bit more finesse.” His attempt at humor fell flat.
Her jaw was quivering. And he felt his usual flare of panic at the thought of a female’s ensuing tears. “I’ve been checking in to classes at the local community college.”
Staggered, he could only stare at her. “What? When?”
She lifted a shoulder, rubbed fiercely at one eye. “Think I want to work at KFC for the rest of my life? I thought I had a good chance at a couple scholarships they offer. Actually thought that for once in my life, something would go my way. I was wrong. I didn’t get either of them.”
It took a moment to gather his fragmented thoughts. He had no idea she’d even considered returning to college. “Honey, if you want to enroll for classes, I can help with tuition . . .”
“I don’t want your help!” Her tone was no less ferocious for being quiet. “Don’t you understand how tired I am of Saint Nate riding to the rescue? Of depending on you for everything? You cast a damn large shadow, big brother, and I’ve lived in it all my life. I’m sick of it. Sick to death of being the fucked-up mess of a sister that the perfect all-star, hero big brother has to rescue.”
His own temper bubbled to the surface. “Watch your mouth around him.” He wasn’t going to get drawn into the familiar argument. It never failed to tug on dual emotions of anger and guilt. And he was trying, for chrissakes. Shouldn’t he get credit for that?
“That’s right.” Her mouth pulled down wryly. She shoved the tips of her fingers into the pockets of her jeans. “You’re the responsible one. You’re the only one with Tucker’s best interests at heart.”
“Well, I’m not the one that walked out and left a disabled five-year-old alone at night,” he snapped. He cursed himself as soon as the words left his tongue. As soon as he saw the bleak expression in his sister’s eyes.
“You ought to be thanking me. Last night just gave you more material for your lawyer’s case file. You are going to tell him about that, right? Use it to try and take my son away from me for good?”
His throat was tight. “That’s not what I want.” What he wanted was to believe Kristin was off alcohol forever. That she was ready to make the kind of decisions that meant she could be trusted with Tuck’s welfare. That Nate and she could shake free of the slights of their childhoods and have a real relationship.
But if he’d learned one thing, it was that you didn’t always get what you wanted.
She walked by him. He heard her a moment later fumbling with the lock on the gate. But he didn’t go to help. She’d made it pretty clear what she thought of his assistance.
Bleakly, he watched his nephew swing higher and higher, and wondered why the most complex, intricate case at work always seemed simple in comparison to his family dynamics.
A hand clapped him on the shoulder, and he jerked around, already going for his weapon. Seeing Hans behind him, Johnny relaxed, but only a little. “Motherfucking Christ. That’s a good way to get yourself killed.”
The older man had the balls to laugh. “Shit, you’re jumpy. If this place makes you so nervous, let’s go inside.”
They were in the alley next to their usual bar. Johnny didn’t want to be seen inside again so soon. He knew paranoia had him by the short hairs, but shit, the situation called for a little paranoia.
And what he had to tell Hans couldn’t be overheard by anyone.
“You came alone, right?” He peered past Hans into the street in front of the tavern. The others were spooked enough. They didn’t need to hear this. Especially Jonas.
“Christ.” Hans eyed him carefully, the humor fading from his expression. “What’s going on? I’ve never