Page 39 of His to Possess

She eased a strand of hair behind my shoulders, her sigh exaggerated. “I hate the line of work you’re in.”

“Please don’t, Mom.”

Shrugging, she took a step away. “Just try and enjoy your sister’s special day. All right?”

It was always a crapshoot about how much or if I could enjoy the time when I came. I barely tolerated holidays, refusing to come for any other reason.

I glanced around the foyer and into the living room, noticing the dozens of fresh flowers placed in strategic locations. Nothing too good for my baby sister’s engagement lunch.

“Well, everyone is in the sunroom. Your father is just about to give a toast.” My mother winked before squeezing my arm and moving toward one of the vases to adjust. Brenda Kelly was a consummate host. She’d certainly had enough practice over the years. There’d been countless dinner parties, corporate functions for my father’s bursting-at-the-seams business, and holiday events that made the society pages.

I loathed every one of them.

“Well, this should be fun,” I muttered under my breath, smoothing down my dress given I knew I’d receive a critical eye from my father upon my grand entrance.

“Just grab a glass of champagne on your way in, sweetie,” my mother suggested. “This is a celebration. Hopefully one day soon we’ll be throwing a party for your engagement.”

Her lilting laughter made me cringe. I was unlikely to ever take the plunge and both of my parents knew it. Another reason I was the black sheep of the family. I grabbed a flute from one of the four waiters hovering like vultures, moving just inside the doorway to the sunroom, praying not to be seen.

As maid of honor, my duties would soon begin and I couldn’t wait. I snickered at the thought. What did I know about planning a bachelorette party or helping with the selection of fluffy bridesmaid dresses? I’d been a tomboy my entire life, preferring guns and horses to Barbie dolls and nail polish.

Unfortunately, my wish wasn’t granted, my sister noticing me immediately. Her squeal of happiness drew everyone’s attention.

“Kathleen!” As Celia rushed toward me, I felt the weighted gaze of my father as well as his immediate disdain. Maybe my choice of red for my dress hadn’t been my best decision, but I enjoyed seeing the great James Kelly riled.

I also noticed a man standing just off to my father’s side. This was no doubt the man my father had hired after the last time I’d turned down his job offer. Tyler Ridgefield had an impeccable reputation working with failing companies, his financial savvy perhaps exactly what my father needed. While I had to admit the man was remarkably handsome, I had a bad feeling my father would try to use him as leverage.

Another engagement attempt, perhaps?

“Hiya, sis. I’ve missed you,” I whispered, hugging her tightly. We’d always been close and even though I hated the pomp and circumstance, I was determined to make certain my little sister had a fabulous wedding.

“How are the plans going?” I asked casually, studying the group of people who’d been invited. Senators. Congressmen. Judges. Corporate moguls. Standing in the room were the who’s who of Denver society.

And I could see maybe two other guests under the age of forty. The party had been entirely orchestrated by my parents. Another glow and show moment.

She shrugged, giving me her usual mischievous expression. “You know how Mother and Father are. Maybe you and I can get together next week over nachos and beer to really talk about plans.”

I laughed. Her engagement hadn’t stripped her from her spunky personality. “I’ll see what I can do. If I can get away from this case I’m working on.”

“I heard about it. I’m so sorry. What a horrible case for you to have to work on. The murders are so violent. Any idea who the killer is? Is it possible there’s some wild animal on the loose?”

I gripped her hand, pulling her closer to the door. We’d kept everything under wraps in an attempt not to terrify the public. “Where did you hear that from?”

“You know Father,” Celia said dourly. “He knows everything. He mentioned it in passing last night when I had dinner with them. I think he’d had a chat with your captain.”

What. The. Fuck. Seething, I snapped my head in my father’s direction. “Asshole.”

She squeezed my hand. “Remember, big sister of mine, this is a party. If I have to endure getting all dolled up, then you can promise me you won’t start a fight.”

I wasn’t certain I could promise her anything at this point. I’d known for years my father had gone to school with Captain Walters, had even kept up a cordial friendship, but if my father had interfered, I would never speak to him again. One thing was for certain. I was going to confront him before I was forced to endure leg of lamb for lunch. “I’ll do what I can.”

“Don’t let him get to you, Kath. You have your life and he has his. He’s just never gotten over the fact you continue to refuse to work with him.”

I lifted an eyebrow, taking a huge gulp of the champagne before answering. “You mean workforhim. Speaking of which, how’s the new job?”

I could see a glimmer of unhappiness followed by a huge smile. “It’s going okay. Not certain how much longer I’m going to be there though.”

“Why?”

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