Rise (Rise & Fall Duet #1) - Grahame Claire Page 0,32

time to dwell on the tiff with my sister.

“I made a poor choice of words.” Unlike many people, I had no problem admitting when I’d made a mistake. I hadn’t meant to offend Beau.

“And you clammed up instead of explaining.”

I looked at my brother. Had he been there without my knowledge?

“Don’t look so shocked. I’ve known you all my life.” He grinned before he turned serious. “Did Zegas and Whitley have any insight if this thing is going to blow over?”

“Not really. They told me to keep my nose clean and lie low.” I already did that.

“Have you looked into why they targeted you?”

I shrugged. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.” Daniel had taken it upon himself to dig into it. He had more resources than I did, though I was still uncomfortable with his help. Although if he were in trouble and I knew about it, I'd do the same.

He made a disgruntled noise. “Why aren’t you more concerned?”

“There’s no purpose worrying about things I can’t control.” I had a business to run, a brother and sister to protect, and I couldn’t fight battles if I couldn’t see the enemy. I had no idea why I’d been targeted.

“Take control. Get ahead of this,” Teague said insistently.

“How? If I go to the press and they spin the story the way I want, then it might be in the public eye for naught. The feds may never pursue this further.”

Our father might have no problem using any means necessary to get what he wanted, but I wouldn’t pressure or bribe or use any unscrupulous means to save myself. Those methods only came back to hurt later.

“Can’t Dad do anything?” he asked the question as if it pained him.

“I’m sure he’ll do whatever he needs to protect his good name,” I said bitterly.

“If it keeps you out of prison, that’s fine with me.”

“There’s always a price, Teague.” I caught the open door to the rescue with my foot and held it for my brother.

“I know.”

I surveyed the familiar space, once again impressed with how well they’d adapted in such a short period of time.

Muffy charged me, nearly knocking the box out of my hands.

“Can you keep him for a couple of nights?”

For the second time in mere milliseconds, I almost lost the box again.

“Wouldn’t you prefer someone more experienced?”

“Nah. He seems to like you, why I don’t know.” Teague elbowed me and grinned. “We want to see how he does in a home before we put him up for adoption.”

“You’re putting him up for adoption?” I glanced down at the dog, whose tail whipped at warp speed as he stared up at me. He was a fixture at Grey Paws. Pepper and Teague seemed particularly fond of him.

They were going to let him go? To strangers?

“He’s a good dog who deserves a good home.”

“What’s wrong with the home he has?” I asked tersely. I might not be an expert on canines, but these dogs thrived under the care they received here.

“Nothing. We love the guy.” He scratched behind Muffy’s ears. “We want the best for him.”

I set the box down next to Teague’s.

“You’re staying for supper.” Miss Adeline was a master at getting her way. “We’re having Lucky Charms.”

Lexie needed something more substantial than that. She hadn’t eaten all day.

I’d planned to take Lexie and Eric to my favorite steakhouse but couldn’t reject Miss Adeline’s invitation. I wanted to spend more time with my brother too.

My thoughts darted to the grill Pepper and I had put together at their old place. It had ultimately been a gift of destruction. I hadn’t set the fire that had nearly cost them their lives, but wondered if I hadn’t given Teague that grill, would that have happened?

“Don’t tell me you’re a bran flake fan too, handsome.”

I blinked at Miss Adeline when I realized she was speaking to me.

I cleared my throat. “No.”

“I knew you lived on the wild side too.” She linked her arm through Eric’s. “What about you? Lucky Charms or bran?”

“Donuts!”

“A man after my own heart,” she said as she steered him toward the dogs. “Millie wants to see you.”

When she was out of earshot I leaned closer to Teague. “Will she be offended if I need more than cereal? I missed lunch.”

“I’ve got a brisket in the oven.”

I narrowed my gaze. It amazed me how we could be so much alike and so different at the same time. I barely knew how to operate a coffee pot, yet he was proficient in