Asking for Trouble (28 page)

“If you think Ty will have anything to do with you after what you did—”

“After what you
told
him I did. Ever heard the phrase ‘and the truth shall set you free'?” Malcolm asked, feeling more than a little giddy at putting his father on edge. “Let's just say I'm looking forward to unlocking those chains you've had around my little brother's neck since before I left.” Chains he should have tried to break years ago.

“You're welcome to try.” The level of calm in his father's voice made Malcolm wonder if reconciling with his brother would be as futile as Chadwick believed. “I don't think pulling the same disappearing act as your mother did all those years ago endeared you to Ty.”

The thought had already crossed Malcolm's mind. As had the realization that his father wasn't going to change. Chadwick Oliver had been a bully and a bastard all his life. Not even Malcolm's mother had softened him. If anything, having such a soft-spoken wife increased Chadwick's boisterous and domineering behavior behind closed doors. The fact Malcolm's mother had picked up and left on Ty's fourteenth birthday had both impressed and devastated Malcolm, who had been sixteen at the time. He'd never known she'd had it in her.

Unlike Malcolm, however, his mother never returned.

“If you've said your peace, I have a meeting that doesn't concern you.” Chadwick glared at him.

“Don't let me get in the way.”

Malcolm circled the desk to stand behind his father as Chadwick clicked open the video chat on his computer. Truth be told, he didn't give a damn what his father's meeting was about. If being an irritant was as much entertainment as Malcolm was going to get out of the evening, he'd take it.

He cast his gaze around the cold, depersonalized space. Even the desk was frigid. The sight of a thin silver chain with a solitary round charm sitting on his father's desk made Malcolm's brain skip like an old fashioned gramophone.

Malcolm kept one ear on his father's conversation, barely hearing a word as he leaned a hand on the desk and tucked Sheila's bracelet under his palm, doing his best to resist temptation and not scan the room like a sniper scoping out a target. Where was she?

And then he remembered his father's vault.

I am proof that no one accomplishes their dreams on their own. From the time I started writing, the support and encouragement I've found along the way has been life changing. I firmly believe the universe places people in our lives when they're needed the most. To those who have appeared in mine (and those I neglect to mention by name), thank you for helping my dream of being a published author come true.

To my best friend for over twenty years, Mary Helfrick, for always being a phone call away and for encouraging me when I wasn't sure I could continue. I wish everyone had a best friend like you. Thank you to Tricia Marion, Billie Marion, and JoAnn Munso for always asking “when's the book coming out?” You kept me on my toes and plugging along. To Aimee Costa-Schmitz and Lindell Costa, two early fans of this story . . . hope you like it in its official publication. To the Sacramento Valley Rose Chapter of Romance Writers of America for making me a better writer with each and every meeting and for giving me so many friendships, too numerous to name. To Judith Engracia for her suggestion that I branch out and stretch my wings. Thanks to Jon Dennis Schmitz and Harry Gunsallus for their advice and putting up with my tedious and frustrating questions.

To the world's greatest critique/support group, the TKBees. Much thanks to Judy Ashley, proofreader extraordinaire and one of the best people I know. To my personal Yoda and mentor, Melinda Curtis, for pushing me when I wanted to quit and to Cari Gunsallus who let me cry on her shoulder on more than one occasion.

To Brenda Novak, author, boss, friend, and cheerleader. You always knew this was the goal and you never let me forget (or give up). I can only hope to live up to the example you've set.

To my fabulous, talented doppelganger agent, Margaret Bail, for believing in me from day one and for commiserating about our SPN boys when needed. Hope this is just the beginning for both of us. To my editor Leis Pederson and the amazing crew at InterMix for giving the Tremayne Family a home and loving them as much as I do.

To all the families, friends, and loved ones dealing with cancer and other illnesses on a daily basis: Your steadfastness and strength are humbling as you fight on the front lines of these diseases.

Lastly, to the cancer treatment centers around the globe who inspired this story and the people who strive every hour of every day to find a cure, thank you. Fight on.

Anna J. Stewart
can't remember a time she didn't have a book in her hands or a story in her head. Early obsessions with
Star Wars
,
Star Trek
and
Wonder Woman
set her on the path to creating fun, funny, and family-rich stories with happy endings for her independent heroines. Anna lives in Northern California where she deals with a serious
Supernatural
and
Sherlock
addiction, surrounds herself with friends and family, and tolerates an overly affectionate cat named Snickers (or perhaps it's Snickers who tolerates her). Visit Anna online at authorannastewart.com.

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