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I would be willing to do that, but there’s that sliver of worry inside me that keeps asking if I truly know how to be that vulnerable with anyone. “Can’t she just believe me when I say I’m sorry? Understand that I’m miserable as fuck and would do anything to have her back?”

“How will any of that convince her you understand the gravity of your BS and that you won’t dive into another steaming mass in the future?”

Point taken. If Nia had accused me of dirty, underhanded shit, especially without listening to me, I would be disinclined to hear some feeble-ass apology. Words are easy. People say them every day. They schmooze. They charm. They lie.

A gesture that would not only tell Nia I know I was wrong but that I trust her in every way is what I need. Maybe then she’ll listen. Maybe not. But if I craft the right apology and give it to her with my whole heart, at least I’ll know I did everything I could to win her back.

“Think it over. It’s not a decision you can rush. Oh… Wait here.” Harlow runs down the stairs, then huffs and puffs her way back up before handing me a thumb drive. “Here are some musical inspirations from Keeley. It may sound corny, but she seems to know exactly the right songs to help someone move forward. Give them a listen. Maybe they’ll inspire you.”

This is probably a collection of schmaltzy love songs I would normally never listen to, but I don’t have anything better to do or anything to lose by trying another tactic.

“Thanks,” I say to Harlow. “I’m going to hang here and check this out.”

She pauses and nods. “I’m here if you want to talk more. No pressure or anything, but what you do next may determine your whole future.”

I’m well aware of that. “Sure. No pressure at all.”

“Just ask yourself what’s the most convincing, least dumb ass move. Then do that.”

Speaking of least dumbass moves… “Before you go, you should know that I probably ended Barclay’s days as a free man.”

She raises a dark brow at me. “Do tell. I don’t relish anyone’s misfortune, but after all the shit he’s pulled, he deserves to go down.”

Since I’ve already explained my contact with Bethany to my siblings, I don’t have to preface this much. “I found Barclay’s information on Stratus’s platform and turned it over to the FBI. It’s the direct link they’ve been needing between him and the missing money. The feds won’t be able to seize all of it, given where he stashed the funds. But some. I hope it will help his victims.”

And it will screw Douglas Lund out of taking it all for himself. So win-win.

“Good for you. Did you tell Bethany?”

I nod. “I called her earlier this morning.”

“How’s she doing?”

The only answer I can give Harlow is a shrug. “About as well as can be expected when you find yourself suddenly and completely alone.”

Something I know about too well.

“And it’s the holidays.” My sister holds out her hand to me. “Give me your phone.”

I reach into my pocket and pull the device free. “Okay, but you can’t call Nia for me. I don’t know her new number anyway.”

She scowls at me. “I wasn’t going to. That’s between you two. But Bethany needs someone now, and this gathering of ol’ Barclay’s children could sure use more estrogen. Between you, Maxon, and Griff, the testosterone cloud is choking. I know she said she wasn’t interested in meeting any of us…but it’s the holidays. I’m willing to be the bigger person and offer her a hand when she needs it.”

“I think she’ll appreciate it. If not today, then eventually.”

I unlock my phone and hand it to Harlow. She puts the call on speaker. Bethany answers on the second ring.

“Hi, Evan. Thanks again for sending all the evidence to the feds. It needed to be done.”

“Actually, it’s Harlow, your younger sister. I conned Evan out of his phone. I want to talk to you.”

“About what?” Suddenly, Bethany sounds guarded.

“Look, I don’t want to rip you a new one or anything. You fell for Daddy’s bullshit. Don’t feel bad. You’re not the first.” Harlow pauses. “Who are you spending the holidays with?”

“N-no one. I don’t… You know Barclay’s views on relationships.”

“Oh, I do. I’ve never met a more cynical, unromantic sociopath.”