“Honor, Addison, and Britain, please join me.”
From the front row, Honor rose. With a labored step, she walked on stage, slowly making her way toward Liliana.
“She looks like she’s walking to her execution,” Brit said.
“Can you blame her?” Addison said.
“Friends, this is my youngest, Honor.” Liliana beamed while Honor stood like a mannequin with a painted smile that left her eyes flat. Even from the back of the ballroom—and hardly knowing her—Brit could see that Honor wasn’t comfortable being gawked at.
“She was with me at Sanders Ranch until she was eight, only returning home in the summers. Being away gave her the necessary space to learn, to think independently, and to make lifelong friends.”
Then, Liliana handed Honor a second mic resting on the podium.
“I’m so proud of my mom,” Honor said. “She’s living proof that her life got better once she left. She married an amazing man—Jordan—who’s kind and caring. If it wasn’t for Jordan, I don’t know where my mom and I would be.” Her gaze found Jordan, in the front row, and she smiled, this one brightening her face.
Liliana searched the crowd. “Where are my other daughters? Girls, are you here?”
“They’re here,” Honor said, “but they don’t want to come on stage.”
Liliana’s mouth dropped open, the look of surprise uncontainable. “Why not?”
“Because they’re independent thinkers and they can do whatever the hell they want,” Honor replied.
Everyone burst out laughing as Honor returned to her front-row seat next to Jordan.
“No way,” Brit said. “She’s got a backbone after all.”
“Well, um, er, thank you, Honor,” Liliana said before forcing her own plastic smile. “I’d like to open the floor for questions.”
The hosts walked around with mics making sure the Q & A portion of the event was well managed. When that ended, Liliana thanked the audience, reminded everyone that she’d be selling her book at a table right outside the ballroom, and was available for photos.
Several in the audience jumped out of their chairs to give her a standing ovation.
“I’m definitely going to need that drink,” Brit said.
“I’m right there with you,” Addison agreed.
Rebel pressed his mouth to Brit’s ear, sending sparks fluttering through her. “Ask Honor to join us.”
Her gaze met his. She offered a simple nod. Not of acknowledgment, but of the desire that ran through her like a brush fire.
A storm rolled in behind his heated gaze.
“Addison, can we have a sisters-night-in at your place tonight?” Brit murmured.
“Nicholas is hosting poker night,” Addison replied.
“That’s tonight?” Rebel asked.
“Yeah,” Hawk said.
“Can I host at your place?” Brit asked Rebel.
“Babe, you don’t have to ask me that,” Rebel replied.
Brit stilled.
“Relax,” Rebel said, his soothing voice a godsend. “They’re not gonna say anything.”
