I glare daggers at Dante just as he rises from his chair and moves toward me. I’m fucking furious. “You didn’t eventhinkabout Livvie and her horses, did you? She rides every single day! Did you seriously think she wouldn’t need someone to—”
“Marco was home,” Dante says, cutting me off. “It was bad timing. He’d been called away for an emergency; one of the workers broke their ankle in a gopher hole on the grounds.”
It’s like a record scratch in my brain. “The winery hasgophers? Have you tried—”
“Frankie, focus!” my mom says.
“Right. Sorry.” I turn back to Livvie and take her hand.
She hesitates and then says, “There’s more. When we got to Nob Hill, Mr. Matthews said it looked like we were being followed again. So I called Clayton to come out and meet me at the car so he could walk me into the house. He said I needed to get out of California right away, so he used his connections with the Frisco family to get me here without anyone knowing.”
“Which is great,” Dante cuts in, shooting Clayton a look, “if we’re assuming it’s not the Friscos who were after her.”
Clayton raises an eyebrow in response, which is apparently all that’s needed to settle that suspicion. Dante nods at him. It’s not the Friscos.
“Why was this Mr. Matthews paying so much attention to Livvie?” Mom asks, showing more maternal concern than she has in the past decade.
Oh, wait. She’s nice now. I have to keep reminding myself of that.
“I, um, asked him to keep an eye on her,” I admit. “We Abbotts don’t exactly have sterling examples of father figures in our lives. Mr. Matthews used to be a counselor when I went to Napa High, and I thought he could be a positive influence. Someone to confide in, if need be.”
“Oooh,” Livvie says, visibly relaxing. “I was wondering why he called me into his office to offer me counseling. We did talk a few times. He was actually really helpful.”
“Good,” I say, nodding. “He was always decent to me.”
Livvie smiles. “He made me realize some things about my life. And how I was coping in some unhealthy ways—like working until I drop every single day. So…we worked on making a list of some more helpful coping mechanisms I can try. Like watchingGilmore Girlsand perfecting my peanut butter cookie recipe. Stuff I can do without pressuring myself.”
“Oh, Livvie.” I can’t help wrapping my baby sister in a hug.
The men aren’t listening to us anymore—they’ve launched into planning mode.
“Livvie needs to be hidden. That much is clear,” Clayton is saying.
“Not just her,” Dante says. “All of the women.”
“The whole family,” Armani agrees.
Realistically, I know they’re right. My fears have come true. We really are in danger.
But I immediately think of the Friesians, and Livvie’s unbreakable bond with them. “What about Livvie’s horses?” I ask, interrupting the conversation going on across the room.
The men stop talking to look at me as if I’ve lost my mind.
“I know it might seem like the last thing we should be thinking about when it’s obvious someone is out to get us, but they’re important to my sister, so they’re important to me,” I say firmly.
“Actually,” Livvie cuts in, “I think…I think I’m going to take a break. Just for a little while. The show circuit is done until March, and Max and I could probably use some downtime. I can get Vicente to look in on them. He’s great with Max. Um, if that’s okay with you all.”
A murmur of agreement goes through the men. Well, that definitely makes things easier.
“When you say we need to be hidden, what are we talking about? All of us sent away?” I ask.
Dante moves beside me and despite myself, I find comfort in his closeness. “I think for now, it makes the most sense to get Livvie into hiding right away. Armani and I have plans to make sure you’re looked after at the house in Napa, and we’ll do the same for Charlie at her place. It’ll be harder for you to be targets if you’re not all in one place together.”
Mom moves beside Livvie and gently puts an arm around her shoulders. “I’m not that fond of Miami, and since your father broke all of his promises, I’ll risk whatever threats he wants to throw my way in order to go home and be with my girls,” she announces. “I know I need to earn my family’s trust back, but taking care of Livvie and helping her stay hidden can be part of that.”
She holds her chin high, and Dante slowly nods. “Thank you for the offer, Miriam,” he says. “Livvie? How does that sound? We can always make other arrangements.”
Livvie nods almost excitedly. Charlie and I exchange a glance and then shrug in agreement. Mom just smiles like she’s won the biggest prize. I could get emotional right now, but I hold it back. I’m terrified, yet happy that our mother might be back in our lives again.
