Page 13 of Kylie

Travis

On Monday morning, just four days after Kylie’s funeral, I woke up with a new determination.

I'd spent the weekend with Gage and the kids, a dark cloud hanging over us all as we went through the motions just to get through the day. My mother and father had stopped by on Saturday morning, then later, Sawyer and Kennedy brought Matthew and Brody by. The kids had enjoyed the visits because they gave them the distraction they needed, but I found myself growing irritable with the attention.

Because my mood hadn’t improved by Sunday, I'd skipped the weekly dinner at my folks’ place. Gage had insisted on going, and I saw no reason for them not to. It was while they were gone that an idea had come to me.

“Hey, Trav. Didn’t think we’d see you here for a while,” Kaleb said, his eyebrows dipped down in concern.

I gave my brother a single shoulder shrug. Kaleb and Sawyer had informed me they would gladly handle the management of Alluring Indulgence Resort until the time I felt I could return. Although I had graciously accepted their offer, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay away. Not because I preferred to be taking care of the resort rather than my family, but because I needed something to do. I was here because I wanted to be here. As far as I was concerned, there was no reason to ignore my responsibilities. It wasn’t like it would change the outcome of anything if I did.

I got similar comments from others on my trek to my office, and I offered the same response: nothing. I had more important things to deal with than making others feel better because they weren’t sure how to deal with me.

Once in my office, I closed the door. Figured there was no reason to invite more sympathetic looks from those who meant well.

No sooner did my ass meet my chair than I picked up my phone and dialed.

“Mornin’,” came a gruff, uncertain response.

“I want to offer a reward for any information leadin’ to the capture of Juliet Prince,” I said, rocking back in my executive chair and staring at the door.

“Well…”

“Brantley, I’m not askin’ for permission. I want it done. I figured I’d give you an opportunity to head it up since you claim you’re handlin’ the investigation. But if it’s too much for you…”

My cousin sighed. “Where are you?”

“At the resort.”

“Okay. Give me half an hour. Reese and I’ll stop by to chat. And before you get all up in arms, I think a reward’s a good idea. I just want to talk it out. Is Gage there with you?”

“No.”

“Should he be?” Brantley asked.

I wasn’t sure it was my place to decide that. And since Gage seemed to be content keeping his distance, I figured I could return the favor. “No.”

Another sigh. “All right. Half an hour.”

“See you then.”

After disconnecting, I found myself typing up a text to Gage. I kept it short and sweet:

Meeting with Brantley and Reese. Offering reward. If you want to be part of the convo, meet in my office, half an hour.

I never did get a response.

As promised, Brantley arrived thirty minutes later with Reese in tow. They took their sweet time getting up to my office, probably stopping to chat with my brothers along the way. I half expected to see a line of people behind them when they finally knocked on my door, but there were no stragglers.

And there was no Gage.

“Come in.” I leaned back, trying to appear relaxed and not letting on that my stomach was twisted in knots. I'd thought coming to work would allow me to stop thinking about Kylie for a little while. That didn’t seem to be the case.

Both men walked in, their eyes scanning the room as though they were expecting someone else.

“Have a seat,” I said politely, although I didn’t expect them to be there long.

They sat, neither of them saying anything.