The gleam in his uniquely hued eyes disappeared. “You still want me to write that contract?”

“I do.”

“And you still want Travis Daniel’s name on it?”

I nodded.

Brody reached for my hand. “I’ll find that lake, Vik. When I do, it will only be you and me. No fucking Travis, no Parker, no one but you and me and that big-assed blanket.”

Smiling, I tilted my head to the side. “Thank you. Thank you for writing the contract. The lake sounds truly magical, but there’s something else I want to have there.”

“What?”

“The rabbits, because I think they sound fucking hot.”

“Oh, they are, beautiful, they are.”

LEAVING THE HOSPITAL I sighed. Even though it was halfway through October, the summer heat was back. I dreamed of the damn lake and the fucking snow. As I placed the dark glasses over my eyes, I imagined the snow-covered mountains and a smile floated across my face.

I thought about my mother. Thankfully, she was improving. She still hadn’t awakened, but Val explained that it was the way they wanted it. She needed rest and the swelling in her brain needed time to decrease.

As I got into my car, I looked in the backseat at the present I’d gotten for Parker. From what Travis said, Parker and Stewart had argued about Parker’s desires at the warehouse. I fucking hated to hear Travis talk about it, like he was describing a damn TV show, but the information was helpful. I was confident Parker would like my gift.

As I drove toward the warehouse, my mind spun in so many different directions. My mother had a housekeeper who promised to be there for Lyle. I thought about bringing him to my place, but his school was closer to his house. Besides, I had a few other things to deal with. Though Marcus was at the university, he said that he’d pick Lyle up each day and bring him to the hospital. Lyle had his permit, but he couldn’t drive alone. I looked at the clock and hoped that my time at the warehouse would go fast. I wanted to make it back to the hospital when the boys arrived.

With so many swirling thoughts, it wasn’t until I arrived at the warehouse, parked my car in my usual spot, and turned off the engine that the reality struck. When it did, it hit me like a fucking anvil, like one of the ones in those old cartoons, immobilizing me. While my mind spun, my body sat motionless. With each passing minute my skin grew moister from the growing heat. My brain told me to open the door and get out, but my body was paralyzed. It wasn’t until my phone rang that I was even aware of the passing of time. I looked at the screen: TRAVIS.

Taking a deep breath, I swiped the screen and said, “Hello.” I knew my voice sounded weak and when I glanced in the rearview mirror I saw my pale complexion.

“Mrs. Harrington, where are you?”

It was much kinder than his normal where the fuck are you? greeting that I was used to receiving. “I’m in my car.”

“The GPS said your car has been here for nearly ten minutes. It’s after one-thirty. Don’t you want to be inside before he arrives?”

Tears threatened my eyes. “Are you here? I don’t see your car.”

Travis chuckled. “Have you ever seen my car here?”

I shook my head from side to side. “No, I guess I haven’t.”

“But I’ve been here, and I’m here now. Do you want to change your mind?”

“No, I can’t change my mind. I have to do this.”

“You know his threat is bullshit. You didn’t know about your birthdate. He can’t take away your marriage. Mr. Harrington made sure it was all legal.”

“I know,” I exhaled. “But Parker thinks I believe his shit. I have to make him keep believing.”

“Mrs. Harrington, you’re not alone. I don’t give a damn about his plans or even yours. I promise if I think things get out of hand, I’ll make my presence known.”

“Victoria,” I whispered.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re about to watch me get fucked—maybe—if I can’t convince Parker otherwise, so fucking call me Victoria. You’ve been watching for years, and the Mrs. Harrington thing is getting on my nerves.”

Travis laughed, really laughed, and said, “Certainly, Victoria, if the way I address you is the one thing that’s on your nerves with this whole situation, by all means, I’ll call you Victoria. By the way, you may call me Travis.”

My lips quirked to a halfhearted smile. “Thank you, Travis, I think I will. Mr. Daniels seems formal, considering the circumstances.”

“Don’t forget, I’m here. I can be downstairs in seventeen seconds flat, faster if I just jump the banister.”

“I’ll remember.” I took a deep breath. “I’m coming in.”

“Do you want to hang up or do you want to talk to me as you come in?”

Getting out of the car, I grabbed the package from the backseat as I held the phone between my shoulder and ear. “You know, I didn’t think I’d ever be back here. I really thought once he was dead…”

“What did you plan to do with this place?”

Entering, I looked around at the tall brick walls and began to descend the stairs. “Do you think it would burn?”

“Not well,” Travis replied. “Too little wood.”

“Speaking of little wood… can your cameras see outside? Will you know when Parker is here?”

Travis chuckled again. “It’s nice to hear your humor. No, I can’t see outside, but I’ll know when he pushes the code on the door.”