The house was a disaster and since my parents were out of town, our housekeepers and cook were on vacation as well. I called in a temp crew, and by the time I got everyone left over from the party the hell out of my house, the workers were already there, getting started on the main rooms first, as well as cooking breakfast.
I called the facility where Rika’s mother was and informed them that Christiane Fane’s daughter would be in contact with her mother, and then I called a lawyer—not the family lawyer, someone that wasn’t paid by my father—to discuss Rika’s estate. I knew she didn’t trust me with it—why should she?—but I didn’t want it reverting back to my father, either. We’d have to try to contest the will.
I got all of her money transferred back into her accounts, which was easy enough, since the guys had bluffed last night at Hunter-Bailey. We hadn’t quite gotten the shares doled out yet, so I still had access to everything and was able to put it all back and reactivate her credit cards with no problem.
After a couple of hours, I sat at the dining room table, a breakfast spread sitting out, Kai quiet and Will drifting in hungover. He looked a mess and immediately demanded to know what was next.
He wanted to go after Trevor.
“I can’t clean up one mess and then jump right into another,” I gritted out. My plate was already too full.
“Yeah, that was your fault,” he threw back. “And Damon’s, for giving you bad information. We followed like we always do.” He looked to Kai for backup. “But I’m doing it my way now. I would like you with me. If not, I’ll survive.”
He tossed back some aspirin, chasing it with an entire bottle of water.
Yeah, it was my fault. We’d hurt Rika when it should’ve been Trevor, but I needed a breath first.
I pushed my plate away, sitting back in my seat and looking up to find her standing in the doorway.
I locked eyes with her, my heart skipping a beat. She looked absolutely beautiful. As if she hadn’t been through hell last night.
She’d showered, put on some make-up and straightened her hair, and she was dressed in some tight jeans, a white shirt, and a little red jacket with black shoes.
Was she leaving?
“Rika.” Kai stood up, looking contrite. “Would you like something to eat?”
I narrowed my eyes on him.
But she ignored him and met my eyes again. “My mother,” she demanded.
I nodded, picking up a card off the table and holding it up for her. “Her counselor’s number. You’re on her list of contacts now. Call whenever you like.”
She walked over and took the card, looking down at it.
And I could tell that whatever happened between us in Trevor’s room last night was over for now. She was clear-headed and back to business.
Before she got a chance to say anything else, Will shoved a plate into her hands. “Here.”
He reached over, grabbing a serving spoon full of scrambled eggs and began loading Rika’s plate.
She stared dumb-founded, and I turned my head away, trying not to laugh.
“Now I’m sick of talking,” Will continued, standing up and dishing her fruit and potatoes, as well. “No more plans. No more waiting. No more getting everything in place and all our ducks in a fucking row. Let’s do this.” And then he stopped with tongs in his hand and looked at her. “You like sausage?”
Without waiting for her to answer, he just shrugged and put two links on her plate.
She stared at him like he’d just pissed in the sink.
“We know where he is, and I don’t want to kill him,” Will gritted out, sitting down, “but I’m sure as shit going to change his life forever. Just like he did to us. Are you in or not?”
I let out a breath, hooding my eyes. Rika continued to stand there for a moment, but then she turned and walked down the table, setting her plate down.
“He is my brother, okay?” I argued, facing Will.
I didn’t know what my feelings were about Trevor, but he was my mother’s son—and my father’s, of course—and hurting him would hurt them. I couldn’t decide this today.
But Will kept arguing. “Don’t give me that shit. He can’t stand you, and you hate him just as much. The only reason you’re holding back is because of her.”
And he jerked his head at Rika.
She gripped the back of the chair, still not sitting. “I’m not involved,” she replied calmly. “I’m going back to the city today, and I want nothing to do with any of this.”
“But you are involved,” Will retorted. “You’re the whole reason for all of this. If you hadn’t been with us that night, Trevor would never have shown up. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t blame you. And now that I know you’re one of the good guys I can admit that I actually really like you. But you’re Trevor’s motive, and you’re in Michael’s head. He needs to stay focused, and you’re the reason he’s not right now.”
“I am focused,” I bit out.
“Great!” he said, smiling. “Then when do we leave for Annapolis?”
I ran my hands over my face, ready to punch him in the fucking face.
Rika pulled away from the table, disengaging herself. “I’m going to go call my mother.”