Chapter 19

19

Archer

M addox and Reed have left the hospital, but I've chosen to stay behind for a while longer. They were too concerned about our tense conversation with Dakota to argue with me about it, so they headed home. I understand how they feel. I share their state of mind. But I am also aware that Dakota is a complex and sensitive woman. She is scared, and I am compelled to try a different approach this time.

Reed is a patient man. He'll keep Maddox in lin no matter what.

I'm suspicious about Callie. She hasn't left yet. I caught a glimpse of her by the cafeteria. I intend to find out what her endgame is.

First, I stop by the nurse's station to make sure everything is financially covered for Dakota. I sign whatever is required to make sure I am billed for the remainder of her stay, and then I make my way over to the cafeteria.

Callie sits at a table alone, sipping coffee while absent-mindedly swiping through her phone. I take a seat across from her as casually as possible.

"What's your deal, Callie?" I ask as she looks at me with genuine irritation.

"I want to make sure she's okay."

"Come on, really? That's why you're still here? I take it Maddox didn't do enough to put the fear of God in you," I reply with a dry chuckle. "Rest assured, he will if you keep trying him."

"I wasn't trying him, okay? I feel… bad."

I lean back in my seat to get a better look at her body language. Callie says a lot with her facial expressions and her hands—probably more than she's even aware of. "Dakota is fine," I tell her. "Low blood sugar. She's been neglecting herself lately on account of severe stress. My brothers and I are inclined to fault your grandmother and, as of last night, you for her condition. What kind of game are you playing?"

"You mean the inheritance? Fuck if I know," she groans with frustration. "I didn't think my grandmother would even consider Dakota as an heir, not even for a penny, let alone eighty million dollars."

"So, you had no idea."

"No. It was as much a shock to me as it was to Dakota," Callie says, her gaze softening as she looks up at me. "I'm not the evil stepsister here."

"Half-sister."

"Whatever. I'm not, okay? I'm just trying to protect my inheritance and my family name. Dad walked out on my mom and me. Katherine raised me as a Monroe. Dad left and got himself a new family. He chose to leave everything behind. So why should Dakota be entitled to any of it?"

"Your grandmother thought she had a claim, clearly."

Callie finishes her coffee. "Is she really okay?"

"Dakota? Yeah. But I would appreciate it if you would just leave her alone. No matter how this ends, I promise you, eighty million dollars is not a good enough reason to fuck over the one family member you've got left."

"How did you know?" she asks, her eyes widening.

"That you lost your mother last year? I do my homework with people I don't trust," I shoot back. "It only took a phone call and a couple of internet searches to find her obituary. You didn't tell Dakota about it."

"It was a difficult situation," she concedes.

"Well, I'm sorry. But surely you understand that the grief you're feeling now is something that Dakota felt, too," I say. "Unlike you, however, Dakota never took it out on you. If anything, she hoped you two might someday be close like real sisters."

Callie reaches across the table and gives me a warm smile, her hand covering mine. It lingers in a way that speaks volumes, as do her eyes and her slightly parted lips. She's playing at something else here.

"Dakota is lucky to have you in her life, Archer. You are a good and reasonable man. Both are rare traits to find these days. I'm almost jealous."

"No need. I'm sure you'll find someone to your liking."

She stares at me for a while, her grip on my hand tightening with hidden meaning. But I don't react. I stay still and wait for Callie to let go first.

"Okay, Archer," she says. "I'll leave Dakota alone and let time sort everything out. You're right. It's just money, after all. But let me at least go upstairs and apologize for my earlier behavior. I feel bad. I'm part of the reason she's here."

"Fine. Please keep it civil. She's been through enough."

She nods once and leaves the table, hips swaying deliberately as she makes her way across the cafeteria and into the hallway. I listen to the sound of her heels receding up the stairs as a picture forms in my mind. Callie is definitely weaving a new plan in her head. I don't think she has ever dealt with people like me before.

Raised in a wealthy family in upstate New York, her every whim and desire fulfilled with wads of cash, Callie hasn't seen the hard side of life. My time with the Marines thickened my skin and opened my eyes to a dimension of humanity of which most people aren't even aware. Callie Monroe thinks she's the smartest person in the room, while Dakota thinks she's going to get farther ahead if she keeps playing the righteous card.

The former is a dangerous snake. The latter is too stubborn for her own good.

And I have fallen too deeply in love with Dakota to let Callie ruin her life. Keith Ellis did plenty of damage already. My woman deserves a peaceful and happy life. While I know she'd rather chew her own foot off rather than ask for help, I'm determined to find a way to help her get ahead.

I just need to be mindful of Callie's game.

She's not done playing yet.