I suppose everyone deals with grief differently, and like I learned last time, life always goes on, no matter what. Even when we don’t think it should.

My heart breaks for both our families and all the pain and loss we’ve had to bear. I think we’re all due for a spell of good luck.

If only wishing could make it happen.

Thirteen

Lincoln

Not surprisingly, Commodore refuses to go to the hospital. The bullet grazed his arm, and the wound doesn’t look as bad as I expected. Still, I know there’s no chance he’ll change his mind. I call his doctor, fill him in on the situation, and he promises he’ll be at the house within the half hour.

In the middle of my call, my brother finally appears, and of course, nothing he has to say is helpful.

“This is all Whitney Gable’s fault! She has to go! This never would have happened if she weren’t here. None of this would’ve—”

“Shut the fuck up, Harrison,” I snap as soon as I end the call, and my grandfather turns to look at him as he rolls toward the house.

“I don’t want to hear another word out of you for the rest of the goddamned day,” Commodore says to my brother as he continues ahead of us, manipulating his chair with his good arm.

As soon as our grandfather is out of earshot, Harrison starts up again. “I can’t believe you brought her here. Mother is screaming from the heavens knowing that woman is in our house. A fucking Gable. Leave it to you to be just like Father. If you think you’re going to move her in here like she’s lady of the manor—”

My jaw clenches so hard, it threatens to crack my teeth. I speak in a measured tone to make sure my brother doesn’t misunderstand me.

“She’s here because I want her here, and Commodore wants her here. If you have another thing to say about her, I’ll beat the hell out of you in front of all the reporters that are still out front.”

Harrison is spoiling for a fight, and I’d be glad to give it to him, but I care a hell of a lot more about making sure Commodore is patched up quickly than I do about sparring with my brother. I leave him behind in the driveway and head inside the house.

After I make sure Martin has made Commodore comfortable while he waits for the doctor, I find McKinley and Whitney in the library after borrowing a fresh shirt. My heart squeezes tighter in my chest when I see how she’s watching over my little sister. Thankfully, someone delivered food because it’s been a long goddamned day.

I meet Whitney’s gaze and smile at her. “Everything okay?”

“How’s Commodore? What did the paramedics say? Is he going to the hospital?”

“The doctor is on his way here, and he’ll probably need stitches and antibiotics, but he’s way too stubborn to go to the hospital.”