“I have to be at the resort,” McKinley says. “There’s no way I can—”

“Did you not hear me, girl? This isn’t up for debate.”

McKinley’s mouth snaps shut as Commodore barks at her.

Every possible objection I could voice trembles on my tongue, but I hold them back. Better to acquiesce now so I can have this discussion alone with Lincoln later. He’ll understand that I can’t stay, because I need to track down Ricky’s mom and find out why the hell she’s doing this.

When no further protests are made, Commodore gives us a final nod. “Good. Everyone, back to the estate. Say nothing to anyone, especially the media.”

Harrison is the first one to stalk away, and when he pushes through the doors to enter the waiting area, I catch a glimpse of Aunt Jackie. I was texting her as we landed back in Gable, but I didn’t expect her to show up here.

Lincoln must feel my body tense, because his fingers curl tighter around me. “What’s wrong?”

I incline my head toward the direction his brother just exited. “I need to talk to Jackie. She’s out in the waiting room.”

“I’ll come with you.”

My lips press together, and I debate whether that’s a good idea. Jackie will undoubtedly have opinions to share that Lincoln may not want to hear.

When I don’t move or reply, he releases his hold on me for a moment, but only to stand directly in front of me and grip my shoulders with both hands.

“You’re not getting rid of me, Blue. We’re in this together. No matter what happens, it’s you and me against the world. I’m not going to lose you now. Whatever comes next, we deal with it together. Nothing breaks us.”

His words should give me comfort, but instead, they drive home exactly how much I have to lose. Lincoln doesn’t know the secret I’ve been keeping for ten years. The one that could change everything between us. And I can’t tell him right now. It isn’t the time or the place.

Instead, I settle for nodding and taking as much comfort as I can from the way he threads his fingers through mine as we walk into the waiting room. Lincoln doesn’t release my hand until Aunt Jackie rushes forward to hug me.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get your calls sooner. We were in the air—”

Jackie cuts me off. “Renee Rango is in town. I just heard.”

“Where? We need to find her,” Lincoln says as I step back.

Jackie directs her answer to me. “I don’t know yet, but I have to believe she’s going to be looking for Whitney.” Her tone matches her grim expression.

“She’s not getting anywhere near Whitney. She’ll have to go through me first.” Lincoln pulls me into his side.

I meet Aunt Jackie’s gaze and find knowledge there I didn’t expect. Does she know that Renee threatened me and that’s why I married Ricky? Has she known this whole time?