“We can pick this up after the holiday weekend.” He stood as she reached for her backpack. “Let me get that for you. You have to be hurting.”

He lifted it and helped her settle the weight on her shoulder, offering a pat of encouragement. “Hang in. We’ll sort this out. Come and see me next week.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

He waited at the door as she traipsed down the hall, then returned to his chair and picked up a pencil, turning it end to end on the desk.

Cate was a nice kid. Troubled, but she had potential—if she could get past this rough patch in her life.

He couldn’t help her much while he was in transition mode, but if she continued to see him—and if he was confident she was trustworthy—she could end up being one of the lucky ones who benefited from his largesse after the next shipment arrived.

Rocking back in his chair, he pressed his fingertips together, lips curving up. It was energizing to finally feel back in control after the messy, ego-shattering divorce.

In hindsight, however, parting from his wife had been for the best. She’d never been that supportive of his endeavors. He was well rid of her.

In fact, living in St. Louis and working at Ivy Hill was far preferable to the life he’d had with her.

With a cadre of girls who flocked to his door and gave him the respect and gratitude he deserved—and an extracurricular activity that paid huge personal dividends—what more could a man want?

14

AT THE KNOCK on her hotel room door, Cate braced.

Didn’t matter which sister had arrived first—Eve and Grace would both be all over her once they realized she was hurt.

And there was no hiding that fact.

Even if she’d been a whiz at hairstyling, it would have been impossible to conceal the staples completely—and their usual hugs were out of the question.

She rose from the couch, pressing her fingertips to the upholstered back to steady herself as pain shot through her ribs.

Maybe, now that she was among friends, she’d cave and take the pain meds from the urgent care center. It wasn’t fair to throw a damper on Grace’s big birthday just because she was hurting.

Moving carefully, she crossed to the door and peeked through the peephole.

Her two sisters stood on the other side of the fish-eye lens, making goofy faces.

Lips twitching, Cate flipped the lock. Injured or not, she was going to enjoy this weekend—even if part of it had to be devoted to work.

She opened the door and stepped back, letting her sisters hurry through.

After securing the lock behind them, she turned to find them both staring at her.