And given Dylan Reeves’s track record, she might havebeen.
Even pushing sixty, her father hadn’t changed. He was incapable of change. Rainey let go a slow sigh, locked eyes with Jacques once more, and followed her father down the shadowedhallway.
They passed two doors on their left before he opened one on the right and held it for her. The small room was dim, soundless. A window faced an empty studio. In front of it spanned a built-in desk crowded with electronic equipment, computers, mixing boards, and controls. Two rolling chairs made up the only furniture, but Rainey didn’t even consider sitting. The urge to pace the tiny room like a caged animal struck almostimmediately.
“I gotta say,” her father said, grinning as he pulled the door closed. “It’s good to see you with someone… even if he isn’t the warmest guy in theworld.”
Rainey bristled. “Actually, Dad, Jacquesisthe warmest guy in the world… in my world, anyway.” Something in her tone — protectiveness or pride — must have snagged his attention because he blinked at her insurprise.
“Well, I guess I’ll just have to get to know him,” he said with false cheer. And Rainey felt her jawset.
Too many responses flooded her mind.Like you’ve gotten to know Ash? Or Holi? Orme?
Or yourson?
She wanted to let loose the words, but she had no idea what would happen after that. Would she open the valve on the resentment and anger she’d carried for years and be blown away with its pressure? Would her father hear her out? Would she get the information she needed to helpHoli?
Rainey tamped down her response so she could focus on her reasons forcoming.
“Dad—”
“I know what this is about, so let me save you the trouble,” he interrupted, his tone laced with superficial benevolence. “Larry confessed that he told you about my… my… well, about theboy.”
Rainey’s brows shot up. “You mean Ray? Your son?” An edge of warning sharpened hervoice.
Her father tilted his chin to the left and regarded her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “His mothersaidhe was mine, but I never had anyproof—”
Her jaw fell open. The image of her brother flamed before her eyes. Ray was so undeniably his. Theirs. “Have you everseenhim?”
A look of distaste marked his features for an instant and was gone. A bland expression of patience took itsplace.
“Yes.” The word was soft but empty of emotion, and it raised more questions than itanswered.
Rainey crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, if you’ve seen him, then you know he looks exactly like you and Holi.” She waved her hand between them. “He has oureyes.”
He blinked at her in obvioussurprise.
“Oh, yeah, Dad. I’ve methim—”
“Yes, Larry told me,” he interrupted again. “I know he meant well, but Larry should have left well enoughalone.”
“Well enough?!” Rainey nearly choked. “Holi coulddie,Dad. Ray may offer a chance to save her. Don’t you getit?”
Her father frowned, shaking his head as he turned away from her. “That’s not going to happen. I know you worry, Rainey, but it’s not good fory—”
“Dad, look atme!”
Even in the muted room, her voice rang like a banshee’s. It was the first time in her memory she’d shouted at her father. He turned his startled eyes to hers, but before he could speak, she advanced onhim.
“You don’t know. You don’t know what’s going on with her. Holi’s weak, and tired, and frail. Dad, she has to wear a mask to protect from infection.” Her hands balled into fists as she raged. “You wouldn’t even recognize her. Do you know what her chances are without a stem celltransplant?”
Pain pinched his eyes, and he started to shake his head, but Rainey knew it was in denial, not inreply.
“She may not even have two years, Dad.” Her voice pitched and stumbled with the words, but she fought back against the growing lump in her throat. “I won’t let that happen. Not when there’s something I can do. Ray — your son, our brother — might be the answer. But his mother won’t help. She won’t even hear me out, and I think you knowwhy.”
Her father pressed his lips together, and his eyes narrowed. She waited for his answer, feeling adrenaline sting her fingertips and spur her heart. Soon the onslaught would leave her shaking and nauseous, but for now, she held her shoulders back and her chinhigh.
“Why, Dad? Why does Gloria Lopez-Craine hate you so much? What did you do toher?”
