I’d worked with Lucille since I’d gotten my first big check selling the video game I’d developed. She always shot straight and was a good steward of my money. More than that, she’d been a teacher, showing me what I needed to know about my growing fortune. And in the process, she’d gotten to know Juliette and me quite well.

“I know she won’t. But some developments have made me realize that things need to change.”

Lucille was quiet for a moment. “Love that girl. But she doesn’t deal with change well.”

“Life is full of change. She’ll have to get used to it.”

“That means you need to stop standing between her and every hardship that comes her way.”

“I don’t—”

“Mason,” Lucille cut me off.

Heat crept up the back of my neck. “It’s always been my job to protect her.”

“And you’ve been excellent at it. But she has to learn to fall and get up on her own.”

“I’m realizing that.”

The squeak of Lucille’s ancient office chair came across the line. “I’m glad to hear it. You know I’m here if you need to talk anything out.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

“All right. I’ll make these changes. Come visit soon, would you?”

“I’ll plan on it and bring Anna and the kids.”

A smile sounded in Lucille’s voice as she spoke. “I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Talk soon.”

“Bye, Mase.”

I pressed down on the receiver button and took a deep breath. I needed to get it over with. Delaying would only make things harder. I dialed a number almost as familiar as my own.

“I thought you weren’t talking to me.” Juliette’s voice was a cross between haughty and hurt.

“I was wrong to say that.”

Juliette sniffed. “It really hurt, Mase.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it, but things need to change.”

“Why? Because you married a gold digger, and she hates me?”

I pressed my fingers to the space between my eyes. “She doesn’t hate you. She actually defended you.”

“Sure,” Juliette scoffed.

“She did. But I’m talking about how you and I operate. I want you in my life, but Anna is also a part of it now, so you’re going to have to learn to deal with that.”

Juliette was silent.

I pressed on. “I’m cancelling your credit cards. You’ll get a transfer into your checking account each month to cover tuition and living expenses. I’ve been generous, but you’ll have to budget.”

“Anna doesn’t want me to have access to your money, does she?”

“Anna doesn’t give a damn what I do with my money. She hasn’t taken a dime from me.”

“Bullshit.”