When Doyle joined her parents in the parlor before dinner, they stopped talking and looked at her. She took them in. Philip sat at the end of the couch and Amelia sat in the chair she preferred. At only five-four, she chose a seat without depth. A woman should sit up and cross her ankles. If her knees didn't meet the end of the chair, she couldn't sit comfortably. Doyle sat next to her father and crossed her ankles as expected.

"Did I interrupt?"

They had been quietly talking and her mother's hand rested on Philip's arm. She often did that to Doyle to gain her full attention. The two together comforted Doyle. There was affection and a partnership. What they lacked in deep love, they made up for in friendship.

Amelia shook her head. "We were discussing you."

"Me?" Had they found out about Gray? She had just been in her room talking to him. It had been a week since they met in the park. As hard as it was to be apart, forced to only talk deepened their relationship. She absently touched the ladybug. Only Kasper had asked about it. She lied and told him she bought it for herself.

"Would you like a drink, Miss. Doyle?"

She looked up at Percy. "I think I would today."

"I recommend red." Percy always knew the dinner menu, and Doyle often finished her glass of wine with her meal.

She nodded and took the stemmed glass from the butler. "Thank you." She sipped her wine as both her parents looked at her. "What were you discussing?"

"Our hope of a guilty plea hasn't happened." Amelia frowned.

"Couldn't it still?"

"Unlikely. Jury selection starts tomorrow." Amelia frowned.

The prosecutor expected she would testify later in the week. It was hard to determine. Philip said, "It depended on the defense's courtroom dramatics."

Doyle sighed. "Maybe he thinks he can impress the jury." She didn't understand how Gio could claim innocence.

Amelia frowned. "Won't they have the photos of what he did?"

Philip nodded. "It's evidence. He could just want to punish our girl."

Doyle nodded. "No one in the band knew I came from a wealthy family. I hope he gets punished."

"Sweetie. We're attending the trial."

"Daddy, no! The defense will make me look guilty! I don't want you to hear the things I did."

Amelia said, "Your father's right, we have to show a united front. They will report the details and we need to support you. We need to hold our heads high. Secrets make a person weak."

That was a loaded statement coming from Amelia. Her dislike for Ivy was a secret as was her husband's infidelity. Did she know?

Philip squeezed her hand. "The Kanes will support you."

"The Kanes? Who else?"

"Anyone who can take the time away from work."

She resented that everyone could watch the trial except her. Gray couldn't either. She worried he would hate her if the defense attacked his reputation.

She cleared her throat. "The magazine asked me to give them my story. I haven't agreed because I wanted to protect the family."

Amelia sat even taller. "It's exactly what we need to do. Control the narrative."

Philip nodded. "Your mother is right. This family can survive a minor scandal."

"Plus your sister is generating plenty of buzz over her wedding planning. Nothing like a wedding to turn the narrative," Amelia smiled.

Doyle whined, "But the wedding isn't until May."

"Yes, but I know how to use social media."

Doyle looked at her mother. "You should have had a career in public relations."

Amelia shook her head. "Mrs. Kanes don't work outside the home, we volunteer."

"Yes, your committees. Ivy works." Although she hated her job. Amelia frowned. "Please don't. No one has a problem with Ivy but you. I wonder when she'll get pregnant. That exciting news would take the spotlight off me."

"And steal the attention away from Tate."

Doyle frowned. "Ivy will wait; she's in the wedding." Doyle rubbed her hands together. "It's possible she won't be drinking at the wedding." She needed to have a little fun.

Philip smiled. "I passed my doctor's tests again, but I'd like to be a grandfather while I can still enjoy it."

"I'm too young to be a grandmother."

Doyle laughed. "You aren't but you'll be a beautiful one, especially if you smile. You don't want frown lines."

Amelia frowned. Philip laughed. "She's pushing your buttons. Don't let her, Amelia. Be happy for Baxter whenever he and Ivy decide to have a child."

Doyle smiled. "It will be a blessing. Monty Whitby's daughter is adorable. His wife grew up in East Boston."

"Dinner is served."

Saved by Percy. Doyle smiled.

Once they settled at the table with Doyle in the middle six feet from either parent, Philip said, "Speaking of Whitby. His man will testify too."

"His man? His name is Gray Hoffman. He's his best friend."

"I thought he was a chauffeur." Amelia frowned.

"He drives him, but he also works for him in a business capacity."

"How do you know this?"

She sighed. "You forget I stayed with him."

"A stranger."

"A kind person who kept me safe." And I love him. "He's my friend."

"Friend?" Amelia didn't mask her opinion.

"Amelia, there is nothing wrong with Doyle being grateful to the man who saved her life. I feel extremely thankful he did."

"Do you know he took his bathroom mirror down so I wouldn't have to see my face?"

"You have healed beautifully." Amelia smiled. "Let's get the nastiness behind us and move forward."

Doyle didn't feel hungry. Her mother would never accept Gray. She imagined herself pleading with her father. Please daddy, I love him like you love Eleanor.

Kasper interrupted their dinner. "Sorry, I'm late. I had a modeling job today."

Doyle wished she had been the photographer. She planned to contact the magazine to agree to the interview. She hoped they would hire her again after the trial was behind her.

Philip looked at his youngest son. "Are you going to court tomorrow?"

"I'll be there every day to support you, Doy."

"I wish you wouldn't."

Amelia said, "She's going to share her story with the magazine which sent her to be associated with that man."

"Good for you, Doy. I'm proud of you."

Her behavior didn't deserve their pride. She had slept with Mick at the crook of his finger and stupidly thought she loved him. Doyle compromised her beliefs by allowing him to control her. She rubbed her arms after the memory chilled her.

"I learned a lot, but my behavior won't make you proud. I'm sorry."

Amelia's voice didn't waver. "Let's get through it together."

When their meal ended Doyle wanted to go to her room, but Kasper steered her into the parlor. Before she sat down, her father put his arms out. He held her for a long time. She took his comfort and hoped the trial would not draw attention.

Doyle woke to find her parents and Kasper ready to leave the house. Jury selection started at ten, but it was only eight-thirty. Her mother usually never appeared before nine.

"Isn't it early?"

"We're hoping to arrive before the press."

Doyle wondered what Gray's plans were for the day. She turned to the dining room for a cup of tea, before texting him.

Her phone rang, and the name on the display was Whitby. It wasn't Sofia because her information was in Doyle's contacts.

"Hello." She answered hoping it was Gray from a landline.

"Doyle Kane." The voice sounded computer generated.

"Yes."

"If you testify, your rich family will know about you and the chauffeur."

She squeezed her phone to keep it from dropping out of her trembling hand. "What?"

"Don't testify and your dirty secret is safe, whore."

"It's your word against mine." She wouldn't let him intimidate her.

"I wouldn't be so sure." Click.

Doyle needed to call Gray. She had a text notification from the fake number. As she opened the text, she gasped. Photo after photo of her and Gray appeared. If it weren't for the threat, she would smile. The ones from the park on the snowy day were beautiful. The rest were grainy shots of them in the car together.

Her phone rang again. Gray spoke before she could. "That sonofabitch!"

"Did he threaten you?"

"Yeah. That's intimidating the witness. I'm calling Devin."

"He's trying to get us to stay quiet."

"Because he knows he's guilty. No jury will acquit him. I'm coming to get you. We can talk to Devin together."

Doyle couldn't think but put her teacup down and sprinted up to her room. She dressed in jeans and a sweater without showering. Then she pulled on the boots Gray liked.

Percy wasn't in the hall, so she grabbed her coat and went out the door. She had shut her bedroom door, maybe he wouldn't miss her.

She was a block from her house when Gray stopped the car in the middle of the street. She opened the passenger door and climbed in. "He's coming, but first he's calling the prosecutor. This is illegal."

"We can't prove it's him."

Gray shook his head. "It's obvious. Him or a lackey. He has a motive."

"You sound like a mystery writer."

"How can you joke?"

"Sorry. What was his threat to you?"

"To expose us." He held her hand and squeezed. "It'll be okay. Somehow."

"Did you see the photos?"

"Yeah. He must have had someone follow us. Probably hired a PI."

"Is it criminal for the investigator?"

"The SOB would have lied. The PI probably thought he was uncovering an affair."

She rubbed her temples. "I can't believe this is happening."

When they entered Gray's apartment, Doyle sat on the sofa, and then abruptly stood and paced. She stopped and put her hands on either side of her face. "I'm supposed to have my interview today with the magazine."

"Wait. If the bastard finds out, he'll release those photos."

"How would he find out?"

Gray shook his head. "You can never be too careful."

Thanks for voting ⭐️