“Uh, no,” Jackson said. “Lupita’s going to be thrilled. She’s been begging this one to have a dinner party so she could show off. She’s an amazing cook, you know.”

“I didn’t know, although she brought me some muffins that were out of this world,” Annabelle said. She walked toward the car and Jackson opened the back door for her.

I glanced at Lexi. “Thanks for agreeing to this.” I motioned to Jackson with my thumb. “It’s just until we get a handle on things.”

She nodded. She reached up and tightened the bandanna that held her hair in place before she met my gaze. “Micah told you everything, didn’t he?”

“About the slashed tires, bomb threat, and break-ins?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“He’s worried.”

“I know,” she said. “That’s the only reason I’m not mad at him. Well, that and the fact that he and his wife, Monique, are invested in this place. They already bought the first home.” A frown line appeared between her eyebrows, and her voice was gruff when she said, “I don’t want to let them down.”

“You won’t,” I promised.

She nodded. “Thanks, Nicky.”

I turned and opened my door. “Call me if anything—”

“I will,” she said. “I promise.”

Reassured, I climbed into the car and closed the door. Jackson hit the gas and we left the jobsite behind us. I immediately took out my phone and began working my contacts. I was going to have to pull out every favor I’d ever been owed to make this happen, but if it kept my sister safe, it was worth it.

Annabelle

18

So many questions! I had so many about Nick and Lexi, I was surprised they didn’t overflow out of my eyes and mouth and ears, drowning anyone in the vicinity. Sadly, none of my questions were answered at dinner, because how could they be when I didn’t even know how to pose those questions without seeming intrusive? Instead we talked about sports, films, politics, weather, and how many paintings it would take to fill Nick’s barren house.

The lack of information was problematic, causing my fascination with Nick to become a borderline obsession. He and his sister had been estranged, and I had to know what had happened. Not my business, to be sure, but still, I had to know. Neither of them, however, were talking.

I knew Soph wouldn’t approve of my having dinner with Nick, but what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her, right? Right. Besides, it wasn’t as if we were alone. Pity.