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“Then how exactly do you make a living?”
“We share in the profits, and we have trust funds.”
“I see. A trust-fund baby.”
“You had to know that. You know who my grandmother was.”
“Yes. Sandra Cooper Bellamy. Heiress to the Cooper Steel Empire.”
“Right.” He leans forward. “But don’t think I haven’t earned every penny. My siblings and I have worked our asses off on that ranch since the day we could toddle out to a barn.”
I simply nod. I don’t doubt it. I’ve seen all the Bellamys. You don’t get physiques like that from the gym.
“Work with me here, Falcon. I need to keep my records accurate, so if you could just—”
“Have Daddy sign a document saying I work for a fucking living?” He rolls his eyes. “Sure, Vannah. I’ll get it done.”
I sigh. “Thank you. We’re done for the day. If you could bring the signed statement from your father next time—”
“I’ll have it tonight,” he says.
“Tonight?”
“When we have dinner at my place. Seven sharp. See you then.” He rises, walks out of my cubicle, before I can answer.
And instead of running after him, arguing with him, I just watch his perfect ass in his snug jeans.
Falcon Bellamy and his trust fund.
I envy him. Not for the trust fund by itself.
I have one of my own.
For the trust fund he can actually use.
I’ll never touch mine.
Never in a million freaking years.
40
FALCON
Raven is sitting in a recliner in the great room of our parents’ house when I arrive at lunchtime with Sam.
Her eyes light up as soon as she sees him.
“A puppy!”
“This is Sammy.” I set him on her lap. “I just rescued him on Sunday. He’s a handful, but I wanted you to meet him right away. You took such good care of the first Sam.”
“Sam Senior was an amazing dog,” she says. “So sweet and gentle. But a handful as a pup, just like this one is.”
Sammy squirms out of Raven’s lap and scampers around the room, sniffing into corners.
I sit down next to my sister. “How are you feeling, Ray?”
“Good for the most part. Still a little fatigued, but I’m walking more and more each day. And Mom seems happy with how much I’m eating. I go in tomorrow for blood work. To see if your marrow is doing its job.”
“It is. Look at you. The color is back in your cheeks, and the sparkle is back in your eyes.”
“More than it has been in a while, for sure,” she agrees.
“Is Dad around?” I ask.
“Probably out somewhere with the stock,” she says. “Mom said he was working outside today.”
“He could be anywhere, then.”
“Why do you need to see him?”
“I need him to sign a ridiculous statement saying that I’m working here on the ranch. My parole officer requires it.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I have to be either working or actively looking for work. The rules and regs don’t seem to allow for me to just say I’m working on the ranch.”
“But that’s where we all work.”
“I know, but rules and all.” I roll my eyes.
“You obey their damned rules, Falcon.” She points a finger at me. “You’re not going back. Not ever.”
“Don’t worry.”
“I do worry.” Her dark eyes bore into me. “I know you never killed that cop. For the life of me, I don’t know why you said you did.”
“I had my reasons.”
She huffs. “I know what you all think of me. Poor little Raven. She’s the sweet one. She can’t take it. And then I get sick, so you treat me even more like a weakling. But I’m not weak, Fal. I’ve never been weak.”
I cock my head. “I never thought that. What’s this about?”
“It’s about you tiptoeing around me. Hawk and Eagle too. Robin and I aren’t stupid. We know you’re protecting someone. Is it one of our brothers? Or is it someone else?”
“Raven…”
“You gave me your bone marrow, Fal. You’re part of me now. Don’t fucking lie to me.”
Hearing the F-bomb from my sister’s lips stuns me. Robin has a potty mouth, but not Ray.
While Robbie was a little tomboy and followed me around, Raven stayed inside with Mom, wearing ruffles and baking cookies.
They’re only a little over a year younger than I am.
I’d like to tell Raven everything, but Eagle, Hawk, and I promised a long time ago not to tell anyone what happened that fateful day nearly ten years ago.
I’ll never break that promise. Even Dad doesn’t know the truth, and because Eagle was underage at the time, Dad had to be involved.
As far as everyone knows, I fired the shot that killed that cop during target practice.
Dad knew it was a lie. He knows I’m the best shooter of all of us. At least back then I was. I’m out of practice now.
He knows I’d never mistake a hunter in camouflage for a clump of trees. It’s crap, and even the cops who questioned me knew it.
