Page 181 of Perfect Satisfaction

He chuckles. “Sula really did a number on you, didn’t she?”

“In more ways than one.” Immediately, JB’s face softens. “You love your sister.”

“About as much as you love the sister of your heart, I predict.”

My fist clenches when I lay out the conclusion I’ve drawn. “West Moore did you all a massive disservice.”

His head tilts, but thankfully, his eyes remain on the road. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, his children are his greatest accomplishment—his true legacy. He hid you behind such a thick wall of secrecy few people know who you are. He was a real bastard.”

“Welcome to the club, Arek. We have shirts.” He frowns thoughtfully. “And hats. Dani makes us wear hats. We’ll have to get you one. You definitely should not be left out of that part of the family fun.”

We chuckle together.

“You were right in my office, and you’re right about our father. It’s why I came to some conclusions of my own.”

“Which are?”

He smiles mysteriously. “You’ll see.”

JB heads down the fork that leads to the airstrip. I hold up my hands in surrender. “Please tell me you’re not shoving me on a plane somewhere.”

“Good thought but no.” He slams the truck into Park at the edge of the runway. “I wanted you alone so I could tell you something before the plane lands.”

“What plane?”

He jerks up his chin. Overhead the same jet Sula and I arrived in circles the runway. “I didn’t have the same nerves talking with her family as I do right now. Maybe that’s because you’re a part of both of our families.”

A tingle of awareness shoots through me. “Talking to whose family?”

God, I love receiving the same condescending look from JB as my wife. “You have no issue putting me in my place, yet you can’t figure out I’m terrified to speak with you about Liki?”

Before I can close my mouth, the door on the passenger side is ripped open. Having forgotten the window was partially cracked, she answers his question for me. “Because you should be asking me about me, not Arek.”

I leap from the car. Not so I can let my childhood friend in, but so I can have a ringside seat if Liza takes a swing before JB pops the question. Just as she’s about to cock an arm back, JB captures her face between his palms. “Later, and I’ll look forward to it. Right now, I just want you to know I love you.”

Her arm falls limply to her side. “I love you too.”

“Right, you love him, he loves you. Can we get back to my wife now?”

JB, who was just about to kiss his—I hope like hell—future fiancée, pauses to shoot me a death glare. “Check your bull until we get our girl settled.”

I’m ready to trounce him verbally, but to my surprise, Liza’s already wedged against him in the middle seat. The minute I climb in, she launches herself at me. “Arek, it’s so good to see you!”

I wrap my arm around her and lose my battle with the grin I’ve been fighting. “Likitha, what am I going to do with you?”

“Not call me by that ridiculous name,” she snaps.

“Suck it up, Liki. There are worse things than to be loved by a brother. You could be treated like an arse by one,” JB quips as he shifts into gear.

Liza scrubs her face against my shoulder, a silent apology. I nudge her. “I’m glad you’re here.”

She touches her lover on the leg as he presses the gas. He drops his hand briefly from the wheel to squeeze hers. “I can’t believe I’m here to meet the family.”

“Well, you know Sula already.” God, just saying her name and knowing she and Liza are friendly causes my chest to expand. “Plus, Gramps is here.”

“Edward is here?” Liza bounces in the seat like a kid in a candy store.