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She picked up a seashell and threw it into the Gulf of Mexico. “And?”
“I think she’s better off without me.”
“Really?”she said, as if she couldn’t believe all his thinking had brought him to that conclusion.
“It makes the most sense,” he said.
“To whom?” she responded. “To you? Of course, it does. Because that’s the safest route. Then you don’t have to risk your heart, risk failing in the relationship that’s most important to you.”
“I’m looking out forher,” he insisted.
She rolled her eyes. “Sure, you are.”
He scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“She’s a big girl. Why don’t you show her enough respect to let her look out for herself?”
He glared at her. “You realize there’s only a very small chance this would end well...”
“I realize you havenochance if you refuse to even try,” she said. “What are you afraid of exactly? Losing her? If you don’t go back and let her know you care, you’ll lose her for certain, right?”
He squeezed his forehead. “Damn, you’re hard on me.”
He could tell she knew he was joking when she put her arm around him and briefly rested her head on his shoulder. “That’s what sisters are for,” she said. “I’d better get back to the house to check on Chester after his shower.”
He chuckled to himself as he watched her go. He was glad he’d come home. It was the best thing he could’ve done. And maybe she was right. Maybe he was doing himself a disservice even thinking about walking away from someone like Ismay...
A text message came in on his phone. He checked it and laughed out loud when he saw that it was from his sister.
Go back to Mariners, you big dolt.
He’d pretty much decided he’d hate himself for the rest of his life if he didn’t, but it was the message that came next, almost right on top of Matilda’s—this one from Jack—that sealed the deal.
Remy and Bastian tried to run us down in the Jeep yesterday, so we went to the police about that and the duffel bag. Not sure it was a wise decision.
Bo cursed. He believed the Windsor twins were dangerous.
I’ll get there as soon as I can, he wrote back. No way was he going to leave Ismay vulnerable to the Windsor twins, not even with Jack around to protect her. Jack had never seen anyone who was truly evil, not like Bo had.
That meant Uncle Chester would have to get along on his own for a few days after Matilda left, but the old man was doing better all the time. Bo would also miss meeting his brother-in-law and nephews, but he’d make sure he had another opportunity soon.
33
You went to the police? How could you?
Ismay had been staring at Remy’s text for probably three minutes. She was sitting in The Human Bean, a coffee shop that always had a lineup and was located beneath a trendy art gallery.
She’d considered blocking Remy. His messages had devolved into angry missives that made her wince. But she was hoping he might say something she could take to the police. Detective Livingston had warned her not to engage with him if she thought he might be dangerous. But she couldn’t help responding to this.
What’d you expect me to do? You almost killed me and Jack two days ago!
That was Bastian! He pulled on the fucking wheel! He thought it was funny to see you two scatter.
And you didn’t stop or do anything about it?
I could tell you were okay. I’m sorry. But it wasn’t me! I have a demented brother. I’ve told you that before.
You never told me he was arrested as a Peeping Tom! You let him come stay with me at the cottage without even warning me.
