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“It’s a good school,” Roe said, rubbing his forehead. “I still don’t understand why you don’t like it, but you don’t have to go back. We’ll try public school in Hobson Hills. At least we’ll be closer to Tris when he starts at Harvard.”
“We can visit him! It’ll be great, Dad. You’ll see.” She left the room with a determined smile.
“I’ll go walk the perimeter.” Wally patted Roe’s shoulder. “Get as much rest as you can, Mr. Dorsey. It’s going to be a long drive.”
After he left, Mmrr jumped from her seat and made her way to Roe’s lap. Once settled, he began petting her, enjoying her rumbling purrs.
“I’m so tired, Cain.” Roe leaned his head against the back of the couch. “Five years of this rancid shit is more than enough. I used to love living here. Everything reminded me of my grandpas. I had friends. I wasn’t afraid to leave the house.”
Cain sat beside him and pulled him into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Roe.”
Roe felt the tears he’d been trying to keep back start to fall. “I don’t even know what they want. I’d give them everything except the kids, and I know James doesn’t want them. He never did. What else do they want from me?”
“People like that never have enough.” Cain sighed. “Your grandpa Roland would be pissed if he was still alive. He thought James was a perfect son-in-law.”
Roe snorted. “Grandpa Ben knew he was crap from the moment he met him. I wish I would have listened to him, but James seemed a dream come true when we met.”
He had been the perfect addition to the Dorsey family. Roe had no interest in the family business, but James did. Grandpa Roland and Roe’s parents had been thrilled, while Grandpa Ben had delved into James’s background and made him sign an ironclad prenuptial agreement.
“I wish they were here now.” Cain tightened his arms around Roe. “They would chew him up and spit him out.”
Roe patted Cain’s chest. “That’s your job now. Make them stop, Cain. I don’t care what it takes.”
“I will,” Cain said with icy certainty.
Chapter 3
“Dad, why are you doing this?” Lacey asked, hands on her hips. “They’re complete strangers who could be con-artists and take advantage of you.”
Mack arched a brow. “Baby girl, when has anyone ever been able to take advantage of me? Excluding the Wilsons and Doc Grover, of course.”
She nibbled her lip and gave him a worried look. “It’s more than letting strangers in your house, though. A man your age doesn’t need this kind of responsibility. If someone is really after this Dorsey guy, you could be hurt just by associating with him.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Lacey Ann McKenzie, are you saying I shouldnothelp someone in need?”
Lacey flushed and ducked her head. “It’s just that it might be dangerous.”
Mack sighed and pulled her into a hug. “Sweetheart, I know you worry, but I can handle myself. I’ve been doing so for a long time now. This man and his family are in a hard situation. They deserve help, not judgment and fear.”
She hugged him back. “You’re right. I know you are.”
“Good.” Mack leaned back. “Now, help me freshen up the spare rooms. I haven’t even looked in them for weeks.”
Lacey rolled her eyes. “You really need a smaller place, Dad. They’re probably full of dust. How many rooms do you need to have ready?”
“There are five people,” he said, making her scowl when he ruffled her hair. “Two adults, two teens, and a toddler.”
“Twoadults? I thought the man and his family were alone.”
“Cain is sending a bodyguard with them.”
The look of relief on her face shouldn’t have annoyed him so much, but Mack was a bit tired of her thinking he was a useless old man.
“That’s great,” Lacey said, grinning wide. “We should do all three spare rooms and maybe my old room in the attic?”
Mack snorted. “Perfect for a moody teen.”
Lacey laughed. “I was so emo.”
