“Well, I was hoping that I could talk you into reconsidering the little loan we talked about this morning.”

“Little loan.”

She’s quiet for a moment, and Kat’s brows raise as she watches me.

“I know it’s an inconvenience, but I need your help, Ryan. I—I’m scared.”

“What are you afraid of, Mom?”

“There are people who might hurt your dad if they don’t get their money.” The last few words are said with a whisper, and my gut tightens. Chase was right.

“Mom, there’s someone I’d like for you to meet.”

Kat nods vigorously, as if she’s reading my mind, and I’ve never been as thankful for her as I am right now.

“Okay, that’s lovely.”

“Right now. We’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

“Oh, but—”

I end the call and take Kat’s hand in mine again. “I’m sorry, Kat.”

“What’s happening?”

I don’t want to drag her into this. It’s personal family business, but damn it, I trust her. I’ve come to depend on her. She calms me in the middle of any storm, and I need her.

“My mom asked Chase and me for five thousand dollars today. We told her no, but now she says that someone might hurt my dad if they don’t get paid.”

“Oh my God,” Kat says, holding on to me tightly.

“Chase and I asked her to leave him today, but she refused. We just pissed her off.”

“I’m sure you did,” she replies with a nod. “What can I do?”

“Will you please come to her place with me tonight and . . . I don’t know . . . just be there?”

“Of course,” she replies immediately. “I’ll help in any way I can.”

I wave the waitress down and pass her my card, then sign off on it and we’re gone, driving to my parents’ house.

“Did you ever actually work as a counselor?” I ask, trying to keep my nerves down.

“For about a year,” she replies, and takes my hand in hers, holding on to me tightly. “It just wasn’t the right fit. But like I said, I still get to use my skills all the time.”

“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters. I can see that Seduction not only challenges you and your colleagues, but you all enjoy it.”

“We really do,” she says with a nod. “Did your dad enjoy real estate?”

I pause, thinking back. “I think so. He never said he didn’t enjoy it. I’ve never understood how everything went to hell in a handbasket so quickly after his business folded.”

“Some people don’t do well with fear,” she says.

“You’re right, and he’s one of them. I doubt he’s there,” I say as I pull off the freeway. “He’s never home, unless it’s to sleep and pilfer for money. He’s sold off almost everything they own. Including my mother’s jewelry.”

“My God. I’m sorry, Mac.”

I shake my head and lead her to the front door, but instead of my mom answering, it’s Chase.

“Did she call you too?” I ask in surprise.

“She called me first,” he replies, stepping back to let us in. “I made her call you too and then came over.”

“This is Kat,” I reply, introducing them. “Kat, this is Chase, my brother.”

“I’ve heard a lot of great things,” Kat says with a smile.

“Likewise,” Chase replies with a wink, and leads us into the living room, where Mom is sitting in her chair, twisting her hands in her lap.

“Ryan,” she says with a smile, then jumps up when she sees Kat. “Oh, you brought company! If I had known, I would have made a cake. I’m Bonnie MacKenzie.”

“Kat.” Kat holds her hand out to shake Mom’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You’re a lovely girl,” Mom says, and smiles brightly at me. “What a wonderful surprise.”

“Mom, I brought Kat because I’ve been dating her, and I value her opinion. We need to talk about the mess Dad’s in.”

“This is not a conversation I’ll have with a stranger,” she replies in a loud whisper. “It’s family business.”

Kat slinks back out of the way and sits in a chair off to the side. She smiles reassuringly at me, and sits quietly, wanting to be as unobtrusive as possible as Chase and I have it out with our mother.

“Look, Mom, if you’re scared because Dad’s in trouble, we’re not comfortable with you staying here.” Chase sits next to our mom and puts his hand on her knee. “You can’t keep living in fear.”

“I’m not leaving my husband,” she insists. “We had more than twenty years of happy memories. He’s a good man. It’s just been hard in the past few years since he lost his job.”

“And everything else you own, including the house we grew up in. I’m renting this house and letting you stay here because he’s ruined your credit,” I remind her. “When is enough enough?”

“I promised to be here through good times and bad, and this is just some of the bad.”

“He’s a jerk, Mom! He’s not the same guy you married thirty-four years ago.”

“We all have our demons,” she insists, her chin high. “He’s fighting his. I just need you boys to help us out a little.”