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“You can tell me where my sister is. Frankie Foxworth,” he adds unnecessarily and gives me a stare I’m pretty sure is meant to make me cower in the corner, but I stare right back without flinching. “She stopped returning my calls a couple of weeks ago.”

“I’ll see if she wants to talk to you.” It’s up to her. I’m ready to get this family shit out of the way so we can get on with the rest of our lives, but it’s totally up to her.

“I’ll take care of it myself.” He tries to walk past me, but I step right in his path.

“I said I’ll have Frankie call you.” This fucker isn’t getting past me.

“Get the fuck out of my way,” he grits through his perfect pearly whites.

“Not happening.” I stand my ground and suddenly sense my girl’s presence. “I told you to stay in the office,” I grumble as she walks up and slides between us.

“Good luck getting her to listen,” the asshole breathes under his breath.

“What the heck, Ben?” Frankie smacks him on the shoulder. “You’re making a scene in our business. Not cool.”

“Our business?” He blinks several times. “What the fuck is going on?”

“Come to the office and I’ll explain.” My girl turns and heads to the office with both of us following.

“Where’s the popcorn?” Big Jim mumbles as we pass, and I realize they won’t be getting any work done while this plays out. Nosy fuckers.

Ben trails behind me, but it’s Frankie who sets the pace, her sneakers making no sound even as the air ripples with her fury. She doesn’t bother to check if we’re behind her; she already knows we are. When we reach the office, she grabs the door handle, shoves it open, and stands right in the center of the room, arms crossed tightly as she stares at her brother.

“You want to tell me why you just tried to body-check my boyfriend in his own shop?” she says, voice flat.

Ben steps in, and I close the door behind us. He sweeps the office with those calculating, predatory politician’s eyes, already searching for the upper hand. “Why’d you stop returning my calls and texts, Frankie?”

She rolls her eyes so hard I have to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. “I was busy, Ben. Living my own life. Not everyone is required to file a daily briefing with the Foxworth family command center.”

He crosses his arms, lips curling. “It’s been two goddamn weeks.”

“I’ve been goddamn busy,” she snarks back.

“It doesn’t take that long to call and explain that to me,” Ben says, voice silk-wrapped steel. He’s unable to mask the hurt, and I actually feel a little bad for him.

Frankie notices it, too. She blows out a breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t call, but I really have been busy.”

The sibling stare-down is epic. Eventually, Ben turns to me, appraising. There’s a glint of challenge in his eyes, and I meet it head-on.

“You’re Seth Rutherford,” he says. Not a question.

“And you’re the brother I’ve heard so much about,” I say, offering my hand. I decide to save us all some time. “Look. You’re worried about your sister. That’s fair. But she’s not some problem to be managed, and I’m not here to get between the two of you. Unless you make me.” I let that hang in the air, just long enough to see if he’ll bite.

Ben cracks a smile that’s sharp around the edges. “You cut to the point. I like that, but I’ll take you out if you hurt my sister.”

“I would cut my arm off before I hurt her. I love your sister.” No use beating around the bush.

Ben stares into my eyes, searching. “You’re in love with my sister?”

I don’t even blink. “That’s right.” Ben studies me, maybe looking for a sign of weakness or hesitation. “I don’t plan to ever let her go,” I say, and I mean every syllable.

Ben leans against the glass wall, arms folded. “She isn’t going to let you walk all over her,” he tells me like that’s some kind of dealbreaker.

“That’s okay. I’m going to let her walk all over me,” I say, and Frankie snorts loudly.

Ben’s poker face is legendary, but I see the corner of his mouth twitch. “Pussy-whipped motherfucker.” He shakes his head, then turns to Frankie. “And you want this? Are you happy?”

She rolls her eyes, but her voice is warm. “For the first time in years.”

Ben nods slowly and turns back to me. “Okay. I get it. But if you hurt her, I’ll make sure they never find your body.” It’s not a threat, just a fact.

I nod respectfully. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Ben sighs and turns to his sister. “Just don’t disappear on me again. I know Mom and Dad are nightmares, but you’ve got me.”

She’s blinking back tears. I pretend not to notice as I offer, “Would you like to come by our house for dinner tonight?”

Ben checks his watch and shakes his head. “I can’t. I have to get back to Austin by two. Maybe we can arrange a dinner once my schedule clears.”

“You let us know when you have time.” The ball’s in his court now.