as I can tell, the only reason he’s back at the moment is because you asked him to go with you to see Vernon. I don’t think he’s father material.”
“You could give the guy a chance.”
The suggestion was couched in mild tones, but Nikki felt the unspoken edge of criticism. Her defenses went up. “I have to protect Emma. She’s my first priority.”
“I understand.”
“May I ask you a personal question?” she said, taking a deep breath.
His eyes widened fractionally, but he nodded. “Yes.”
“Is it true that you’re giving up your position here at Black Crescent? That you’ve been interviewing potential replacement candidates?”
Joshua nodded slowly. His gaze narrowed. “Yes. I have.”
Nikki leaned forward, feeling an urgency that was perhaps not hers to feel. “Have you thought about asking Jake to replace you? I know he likes to pretend he has no depth, but he’s whip-smart. Especially with finances. He could do this job and do it well. Maybe the challenge would be enough to make him stay. To put down roots.”
Jake’s twin sighed, and his expression filled with sympathy. “I get where you’re coming from, Nikki. And, yes. That would be a great plan. But I already offered him the helm of Black Crescent, and he turned me down flat.”
“Oh.” The bottom fell out of her stomach. Suddenly, she realized she had been naive. She knew it was stupid to think she and Jake could have a relationship after all this time, but her need for him continued to sabotage good sense. Clearly, Jake only wanted to leave. Again.
She stood abruptly, near tears. Her sleepless night was catching up with her. “I should go. Thank you for your time.”
Before Nikki could move, the door burst open and Jake strode into the room. He pulled up short when he saw her, his gaze narrowing. “What are you doing here?” The question was just short of rude.
Nikki hitched her purse on her shoulder. “I wanted to talk to Joshua. Don’t worry—we’re done. I’m leaving—”
Josh interrupted before Jake could speak. “It’s my turn to ask you something, Nikki. Jake is here now, because he and I are headed into the city to see our father. It occurs to me that you might want to ask a few questions, too. Since your own father can’t answer them. My dad owes you that much.”
Jake’s face had frozen in stone. “I don’t think that’s appropriate. Vernon asked to see us. No one else.”
Nikki flushed, mortified. “Thank you, Josh, but Jake is right. This will be a family moment. I don’t want to intrude.” She scooted toward the door.
Josh snorted. “We’re going to see the worthless son of a bitch who for a decade and a half let his own wife and kids think he was dead. I doubt we’ll share any Hallmark moments today. You’re welcome to come.”
Nikki was torn. She did have questions. A million of them. Why did the two partners steal from their clients? Why did they run? Why did Vernon never come home? Why did he and Everett think it was okay to destroy dozens of lives? And for what?
Jake sighed. “Come if you want. I doubt he’ll talk, anyway. He won’t want to incriminate himself.”
The cynicism in Jake’s voice didn’t entirely conceal a son’s pain. Vernon Lowell had betrayed his own flesh and blood. How could he have been so selfishly cruel?
“My mother is with Emma. Let me see if she can stay.” Nikki stepped out into the hallway and called her mom’s cell. It wasn’t hard to fabricate an excuse. Besides, Roberta loved spending time with her granddaughter. Not to mention the fact that Nikki partially supported her mother. Other than a small government retirement check, Roberta had no income. The woman who had once been a society maven and influencer now shopped for groceries at a discount store and drove a ten-year-old car.
Nikki liked to think her mother had adapted to their new reality, but the truth was, Roberta never gave up hope that one day she might reclaim what she considered to be her rightful place in the social scene.
When Nikki returned to Josh’s office, the two brothers had their heads together and were talking in low tones. They both jerked upright with identical guilty expressions on their faces.
“Am I interrupting?” she asked wryly.
“Of course not.” Jake gave nothing away. “We’re ready to head out. You okay with the plan?”
He didn’t mention Emma’s name. The oblique question was odd. “I’m good,” she said.
Downstairs in the employee parking garage, Joshua