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She leaned back to see him giving her a stern look.
“Cate?” Rhodes said quietly.
Shoot. How could she forget that her brother was there?
“Sorry,” she said.
Another squeeze.
Hey, that wasn’t fair! That was her fault for not paying attention to Rhodes.
“She said that she thought I should move out and give you and her the main suite. Something about how she lived here now and soon this house would be hers too.”
Rhodes’ face tightened. “Yeah, that’s not happening. You know that, right, Cate? I would never ask you to leave your room, certainly not your closet. And this is not going to be her house.”
She’d kind of known that. But it was nice to hear it from him.
“She was about to open my closet. If she’d seen inside . . .”
“I know, honey.” Rhodes placed his hand on her back. “I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Only, isn’t she right? This is your house. Shouldn’t you have this suite? I could move into your room.”
Oh God.
The thought of all that change made her break out in a sweat. She couldn’t imagine having to change rooms. Not having her closet . . . panic was starting to tighten her chest.
“Hey, no. Cate. Stop. Turn back, please.” Rhodes firmed his voice as he said her name.
She turned to look at him.
“You are not moving. No one is taking this suite from you. I would never take away your safe place.”
Cate nodded. “Sorry. I know you wouldn’t.”
Another squeeze on her thigh. This time, it helped clear out all the pressure in her head. And she started to breathe easier.
“Do you want me to do anything? Stay with you? Get some food? A drink?” Rhodes asked.
“I’ll get everything, thanks,” Ethan said. “You’ve got someone else to deal with.”
“Yes, and I’m trying to put it off.” Rhodes groaned.
“I’m sorry I’m making things difficult. I could go to the vacation house,” she offered.
“You don’t need to go anywhere,” Rhodes said. “You are not the problem. And stop saying sorry.”
“That’s what I’m always telling her,” Ethan said.
She bit off her last sorry. They were right. This wasn’t her fault. This was on Samantha.
“I just . . . I feel like I can’t tell her to leave while this asshole is out there. It’s my fault she’s being targeted.” Rhodes ran his hand over his face.
Ethan was tense, and she wondered what he was thinking.
“Let me know if you need anything.” Rhodes leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
