Page 78 of Snow

“Nova?”

“I’m here.”

“You got really quiet.”

“I’m thinking.”

“That sounded ominous.

Despite everything, the faintest smile tugged at Nova’s mouth.

For the first time since seeing that headline, the anger inside her no longer felt wild or helpless. It was beginning to sharpen, settling into something colder and far more useful as possibilities started lining themselves up in her mind. She wasn’t ready to share any of them yet.

“Don’t say anything about the ownership to Mom or Dad.”

Sophia paused. “Why?”

“Just don’t.”

“Nova.”

“I mean it. And tell Rob and Wallace the same thing. I don’t want Dad knowing that I know.”

There was a second of silence before Sophia said slowly, “You’re planning something.”

“Not yet.”

That wasn’t entirely a lie because a plan required details. What Nova had right now was nothing more than the beginning of an idea, but after years of feeling as though everyone else had been determining what happened to her, even that felt damn good.

“I’ll talk to Rob and Wallace. But I’m telling you, they are furious.”

“So am I. Dad thinks this announcement boxed me in. He thinks if enough people believe Rick and I are getting married, I’ll eventually fall in line because correcting it would embarrass the family.”

“That sounds exactly like Dad.”

“If Rob and Wallace storm over there tonight, Dad will know we’ve figured something out, and I don’t want him scrambling to protect himself before I understand exactly what he’s done.”

Sophia gave a quiet laugh. “That tone makes me nervous.”

“It should.”

Nova turned toward the railing again, her mind already circling back to the ownership transfer and all the implications that came with it. There were documents she needed to see, questions she needed answered, and one very important conversation she apparently needed to have with Rick before she made any decisions.

“What about Rick?”

She knew she needed to talk with him. But right now she had other priorities, like helping bring down a possible arms-dealing operation in the middle of the ocean.

“I’ll talk to him. Can you please let him know that I’ll get with him as soon as I get back?”

“Sure. How much longer do you think you’ll be?”

“I don’t know. Hopefully, not too much longer.” And she really hoped that was the truth.

“Okay. If you want to talk later, call me.”

“I will. Thanks, Soph. And thank Rob and Wallace for me too.”

“I will.”