“Even more reason you need to have it.” He tilts his head in the direction of his house. “Chance can always stay with us.”

“Thanks, brother.”

He pulls me in for a quick hug.

“I’m supposed to sit down with everyone in a couple hours.”

“Word of advice—”

“Oh, Christ.” I smirk and wave my hands at him. “Lay it on me, Prez.”

Rock doesn’t smile. “You can’t have this weighing on your mind and handle business downstate. So, I’d get those answers from her sooner rather than later.”

Chapter Five

Lilly

Alex seems to be over his snit about Z paying off Dad’s debt. At least when I call and ask if he can watch Chance for a couple of hours, he doesn’t mention it. When I actually arrive at his house, it’s a different story.

“Aleth! Aleth!” Chance yells as soon as we pull into the driveway and Alex steps outside.

“You’re going to hang out with Uncle Alex for a couple hours. That okay with you?”

“Yup!” He’s wiggling and eager to get out of his car seat, so thankfully Alex pops open the back door.

“How’s my boy?” he asks, swinging Chance up into his arms. “You been good for Mommy?”

Chance sneaks a quick look at me before answering my brother. “Yup.”

Inside, he sets Chance down and points out some new toys gathered by the couch, which my son is all too eager to check out.

“You don’t have to buy him stuff all the time, Alex.”

“Why not? I want him to have his toys and stuff here so he’s comfortable. I’m so happy you’re home now so I can see him more.”

Here’s where I should probably mention I’m moving downstate with Z. “Thank you.”

“What’s going on? You seemed agitated on the phone. Have a fight with—”

“Watch what you say,” I warn.

He stares at me with a smirk forming on his lips. “You ask him about Dad and the money?”

“Yes, I did. And I think the words Dad and you should be looking for are thank you. Z didn’t have to bail him out.”

“Why aren’t you more upset your son’s father associates with criminals?”

I shrug because the question’s absurd given the circumstances. “Why aren’t you more concerned our father’s borrowing money from mobsters?”

He snorts and shakes his head. “I guess you got me there, sis.” His face turns more serious. “I worry about you.”

“I’m safer with Z than anyone I’ve ever been with.”

“You honestly believe that? Because I’ve known guys like him, Lilly. They don’t think twice about passing their women around. I don’t want that—”

I snort, cutting him off. “You haven’t spent any time around Z or his brothers. Trust me, that’s not a thing in Z’s club.”