I don’t know when my sister became so perceptive, but she is. “I need two suites on the VIP level of the resort to put her and her family in. The press is already swarming at my house, and I want to keep the Gables out of the line of fire.”

McKinley’s quiet for several moments before answering. “As long as Jackie Gable comes back to work for me, you can have whatever rooms you need. We only have a couple VIPs coming in this week, anyway.”

“Thank you. I owe you, Mac.”

“Don’t call me that. And whatever you do, don’t let Mother find out until you have a better explanation to give her than you did me. I’ll tell the household staff to hide the newspapers, kill the cable and internet, misplace her cell phone, and tell her the cars are all in for repair, but that’ll only work for so long.”

A proud smile makes my lips twitch as she runs down the list of all the ways she’s going to cut our mother off from the outside world. It’s shockingly thorough. McKinley has learned well from Commodore on how to manipulate people.

“I like your plan. I’ll work on finding out what the hell is going on.”

“You do that. And, Lincoln?”

“Yes?”

“I would like for Mother not to have another episode if we can avoid it. None of us wants or needs that right now.”

“Agreed. I’ll do whatever I can to resolve this as quickly as possible.”

“Is there . . . is there a chance that Ricky Rango could’ve really been our half brother?”

I answer with complete honesty. “I don’t know yet. I’m trying not to jump to any more conclusions.”

“Good. Because you can’t see clearly when Whitney Gable’s involved with anything. Pulling your head out of your ass should help.”

The most unlikely of smiles tugs at the corner of my mouth again at my sister’s advice. She grew up into a formidable woman when I wasn’t paying attention.

“Duly noted.” I hang up the call and roll toward the gate. It’s time to run the gauntlet . . . and I’m not referring to the press.

I need to find Whitney, apologize, and get her to agree to stay at The Gables before the press destroys us all.

Six

Whitney

The past

My big brother’s strong arms rocked me from side to side. His hug was the first thing to shake me loose from the fog I’d been lost in for the last forty-eight hours.

Ricky had been here nearly twenty hours a day, and would probably never leave, but Aunt Jackie had kicked him out at night and insisted that I sleep. But it was impossible to sleep. Maybe that was why I felt like a walking zombie.

“I’m so sorry.” I said it to Asa over and over, but I wasn’t sure what I was apologizing for anymore—the loss of our parents, or being with Lincoln when it happened. Except . . . Asa didn’t know about Lincoln and me since he’d only just walked in the door.