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I lift my brow. “Marjorie? No shit.”
Both Zac and Ford nod.
“She clearly loves him,” Zac says. “Now Jack? He tolerates her. Kisses her here and there, but he doesn’t let her go much further.”
Irritation bubbles up inside of me. He pays someone to run down his daughter for a publicity stunt and now leads on his PR manager. It’s been embarrassing listening to her over these last couple of weeks. “Any leads on his next move? Is he done?”
“He’s moved another large chunk of money to his offshore account, but I don’t know what it’s for. I’m assuming it’s to buy more votes and favors, but if it’s not…” Zac scowls. “Half a million.”
“Half a million?” both Ford and I growl at once.
“The last stunt with Clove was a hundred and fifty grand. I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of dramatics you can buy with half a million,” Zac grumbles.
We’re interrupted when the door creaks open. A dark-haired kid peeks his head inside.
“Seth?”
“Sebby,” he squeals before running over to me. He throws his arms around me and I hug him back.
Guilt infects me. I haven’t been by to see him since we came back. And the last time I saw him he was probably four when I’d come home for a rare vacation.
“How you been, kiddo? Staying out of trouble?”
“Yep,” he chirps, pulling away from me. “I play soccer now.”
“Soccer, huh?” I ask, darting my gaze over to Zac.
He wears the same uneasy expression I do. If Seth is here, then where is Rachel? I fucking hope Clove is still off shooting with Leo.
As Seth babbles about his soccer team, I shoot Zac a look that says, “Find Rachel.”
He rises from the sofa just as Rachel steps into my office.
“There you are,” she chirps to Seth. “I see you found Sebby.”
He nods, grinning up at me. I can’t help but ruffle his hair. He’s a sweet kid.
“I think Leo should be back to clean guns any second,” Ford says, rising. “Want to help me and Leo clean them?” He holds his hand out to Seth, who runs over to him without hesitation.
The moment Ford and Seth are gone, I stand and storm over to the door to close it. Then, I turn my fury on Rachel.
“What did I tell you about just showing up at my house? You don’t live here anymore, Rachel,” I growl.
She winces at my words, clearly stung by them. Her eyes water with unshed tears and I immediately feel like a dick. “You told me to tell you if Joey comes back by and I saw his truck today. It was parked on the drive leading up to my trailer. We didn’t wait around to see what he wanted or where he was at. Just jumped on the golf cart and came here. Jesus, Sebastian. I’m not some villain trying to cockblock you from your little princess.”
Hastily, she swipes away her tears. Zac awkwardly pats her back. I walk over to her and regard her closely. Underneath the hardness and her pounds of makeup, she’s tired and shaken.
“If he’s harassing you, we should call the cops, Rach,” I say softly.
She absently rubs at her neck. I know from her past that he used to choke her out when he was drunk as hell. More tears leak down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter.
She throws her arms around my middle to hug me. Zac gives her shoulder a squeeze.
“We may not be together, but I still care about what happens to you and Seth,” I admit. “I won’t let Joey fuck with you two. Zac will go stay with you guys tonight and then in the morning we can go take a visit to the sheriff’s office before you move on.”
She lets out a sad laugh. “I’ve missed you guys. It’s nice having people who care.” Her body pulls away enough that she hugs Zac with her other arm.
We’re just pulling away when someone gasps. Zac and I jerk our heads toward the sound. I can hear Ford, Leo, and Seth all laughing somewhere else in the house. But it’s Clove who stands in the now open door, heartbreak written all over her pretty face.
Fuck.
It’s not what she thinks.
She blinks away her tears and holds up her hand when I start for her. “No. I need some space.”
“Clove,” I call out.
But she’s gone.
“Oh no,” Rachel mutters. “Does she think?”
I scrub my palm down my face. “I’ll talk to her. Zac, make sure Rach and Seth get home okay.”
They both walk out of my office and I pace, wondering how I’ll explain this to Clove. She probably thinks the worst. And that’s my fault. If I had come out right after she learned who Rachel was to me, all this could have been avoided. But no. I had to try and preserve her feelings, banking on the fact Rachel would get a clue and leave me alone.
