“Funny,” I shot back. “Because Dad thought I did. He trusted me, not you.”
Her tone dropped to a hiss.
“If you think you can cut me out, you’re dead wrong. This isn’t over.”
I hung up, not because Iwas done, but because she didn’t deserve more of my time.
I stepped outside, the cool evening air hitting me like a splash of water. Jack was sitting on his porch sipping something from a tin mug.
“You look like someone just threatened to sue you,” he called.
I sat down on his steps.
“Worse. Someone threatened to be my sister.”
He chuckled.
“Family will cut you deeper than any knife.”
“Tell me about it,” I muttered.
Jack leaned forward.
“You know what I learned in the Marines? You winfights before they start. Not by swinging first, but by being so damn prepared, the other guy realizes he’s already lost. You’ve got that chance now. Don’t let her dictate the tempo.”
His words sank in. I wasn’t just defending myself anymore. I was on offense.
