And suddenly, the stakes crystalize before me. I have less than twenty-four hours to convince Vince to meet with the man he’s hated his entire adult life. Less than twenty-four hours to prepare evidence that could destroy his father. Less than twenty-four hours to salvage what remains of our family before Vince’s vengeance tears it all apart.
“You’re quiet,” Vince observes as we reach the car.
I look up at him, this beautiful, broken man I’ve chosen despite every warning, every red flag, every voice of reason.
“Just thinking,” I say, sliding into the passenger seat.
My fingers brush against my phone, against the message burning a hole in my pocket. “About what it means to be a family,” I answer. “And how far I’d go to protect ours.”
Vince starts the engine, his profile sharp against t
