“What the hellhappened to you? You look awful.”
I looked up from my computer at Cain’s voice. “Gee, thanks.”
He lowered himself into the chair opposite me at my desk. “Married life not treating you well? Or is it treating youtoowell?”
I scowled at him. I wished I looked like death warmed over because my wife had kept me up all night. Well, I guessed she had, in a way. I’d been tossing and turning because my mind had been on her. But not Anna. By the time I’d gotten up to our bedroom, she’d been fast asleep, the wall of pillows firmly in place. “I didn’t sleep great last night.”
The humor in Cain’s expression dropped away. “Did the social worker visit not go well?”
“No, I think it went as well as it could have. I’ve got a gut feeling she’ll be on our side.”
“But?”
“There’s a lot going on.” More than I’d talk about right now. “And the visit was tough on Lyla and Justin.”
“I hate this for them.”
“Me, too.” I wished I could snap my fingers and make it all go away, but I didn’t have that magical skill.
My cell phone buzzed on the desk, and I swiped it up.
Juliette:Your wife went to jail. Did you know that? You need to get an annulment now. Call James.
I muttered a curse.
“What now?” Cain asked.
“My sister getting the wrong idea about things.” I typed out a quick text.
Me:What the hell are you doing? Can you just quit it and be happy for me?
This was getting ridiculous. Protective, I understood. But running a background check was going too far.
Juliette:Here’s a link to the full report. She didn’t have a permanent address for almost eight years, Mase. She’s a grifter and a con. You need to protect yourself. And if you won’t, I will.
Hell. I knew why there was no address on file. Because Anna had lived at the shelter for all of that time, going from resident to employee before finally being put in charge of the whole place. But Jules hadn’t earned that information, not when she was already so set against Anna.
Me:Quit it. I know Anna’s past. But you don’t have a right to go searching through it. That’s her private business, and I don’t appreciate you digging it up for ammunition. I mean it, Jules. Stop.
There was nothing for a minute as I stared at my phone.
Juliette:I’m just trying to look out for you.
Me:I know. But in this case, I don’t need you to, okay?
Juliette:Just be careful.
I groaned, leaning my head back and pinching the bridge of my nose where a headache was forming.
“She’s not thrilled you got hitched without telling her?”
I forced my head down so I could see Cain. “Not the happiest. You know how she is.”
“Vicious when she thinks someone is taking advantage of you.”
Viciouswasn’t a word I’d ever used to describe Juliette, but he wasn’t wrong. “I’m hoping when she finally meets Anna, some of that will fade.”
Cain made a noise that wasn’t agreement or disagreement. “That going to happen anytime soon?”
