No one paid me any attention as I headed up the stairs to the living room then out onto the patio. “What's the problem?”

His voice was terse. “Did you speak to your brother?”

Damn it, could I get no fucking peace from the man? My mind went to a point in my life when I'd needed the old man and he hadn’t made the time for me. But now, when he wanted something, it was all I could do to get away from him.

“Yes, I did. I also thought I made it clear that you'd have a decision after my birthday, not before.”

“What is there to think about? It’s not as if you'll forgo the money you've gotten so used to. I have a problem I need you to address in Japan in a few days. You’ll need—”

“No.” I kept my voice controlled, but anger simmered under my skin. I hated how he treated me like a foregone conclusion. “I’m not going to Japan. I'm not going anywhere until my decision is made.” If I told him to shove it up his ass now, the old man would know something was up. His assumption that I wouldn’t give up money was right, at least partly. If the old man got wind of the sale, he would move heaven and earth to stop it, and I wasn’t going to let that happen.

“You’re walking a tightrope. Your birthday is in a few days.”

“And you said I had until my birthday to decide, so I’m taking the time.” I hung up before my father could say anything else. Even talking to the old man for five minutes was enough to make my temper bubble over.

A voice from my left startled me. “Everything okay?”

Abbie. The anger morphed into something else far more dangerous. “Shit, I didn’t know you were out here.”

She ducked her head as she stepped out of the shadows. “Yeah, sorry. We both had the same idea.” She held up her phone. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

I shook my head. “Just family drama.”

Her smile was rueful as she spoke. “Tell me about it.”

She shifted toward the balcony door, and my mind searched for something else to say to prolong the conversation. “How’s the camera?”

Her brows knotted together then rose as she tilted her head.

“Your camera? I figure since I was its knight in shining armor, I should ask after it. After all, I nearly died performing its rescue.”

She laughed, and I felt like I’d been lit up from the inside.

“Yeah, it’s good. You know, it was a tough ordeal. But with a little therapy and some new filters for medication, she’ll be all right.”