Chapter 44

• This wasn’t going to be like any other family reunion that Tripp had ever witnessed. He knew there would be no hugs, tears, or thankful words spoken. He stood beside her, keeping just enough space between them that if she needed him, he was close, but also giving her room to move. Twice he went to rest his hand on his sidearm and then crossed his arms over his chest so he wouldn’t look like he had plans to shoot anyone. He didn’t want to; well, he was about sixty-five percent sure he didn’t want to shoot the man that he’d plotted revenge against for these many years.
• Amari stood facing the house, the toes of her boots an inch behind where the walkway to it started. She didn’t even want to step onto the property. The entire area was her father’s clan, but this, his residence, was a personal space, and Tripp respected her decision. He also hoped he could keep things as impersonal as possible. The last time he’d seen the man, he’d said some things that weren’t pleasant and were also still how he felt about him today. This time, he was focused on the man’s daughter. Sure, he’d been an asshole to Tripp, but what he’d done to his own child was lower than low.
• Chantal and Ginny stood off to the side of the walkway, anxious looks on their faces. He wanted to go over and assure them that it was going to be all right, but to do that he’d have to leave Amari and that he couldn’t bring himself to do that.