I felt desperate. I felt like things were out of control, and I had no way of getting them back to center. Between Isaac and Dylan I didn't have a hold on reality. Owning the Warriors was overwhelming enough. Throwing them into the mix complicated my world to an inexplicable level.

It was late by the time I pulled up to the gate at the ranch. The guard waved me past him, and I drove through the iron gates with the large W for Warriors emblazoned into the center.

If it hadn’t been for Candy I wouldn't have eaten again today. She made another lunch run for me, worried I wouldn't be able to make out of the office between all the meetings.

I wanted a glass of wine and a hot shower. I drove past the fountain, illuminated from below with lights. It was one of my favorite pieces on the property. As I drove past the main house I glanced up at the upstairs bedroom windows. The lights were still on. I made a quick U-turn and parked the car in the circle drive.

Gretchen greeted me at the door. “Hi, Vanessa. Are you here to see your grandmother?”

“I know it’s late, but I saw her light is still on. I think I’ll just go upstairs and say good night.”

My grandparents’ housekeeper closed the door behind me as I marched up the staircase.

It had been several years since I’d lived in the main house. I owned one of the buildings a quarter of a mile from this part of the estate. It was close enough that I was inside the property’s fence line and could enjoy the security perks. But I had my own space and privacy.

“Grammy,” I called, running up the rest of the stairs. “It’s me.”

Her bedroom door opened. She was wearing a set of Warriors PJs.

“What are you doing here so late?”

I sighed. “I’m just getting home from work. I thought I’d stop in.” I gave her a gentle squeeze.

“You were at the office this late?

I nodded. “Yes. I can't seem to get out of all the meetings.”

She shook her head. “This shouldn’t have happened. Never should have happened. It’s not right.”

“I’m fine, Grammy. Really. It’s going to take me a little while to figure everything out. But I’ll get it. Please don't worry about me.”

Her eyebrows rose. “It’s only been two days and you haven’t made it home before 10 o'clock. This is too much for you. I’ve never been happy about this arrangement. The lawyers have no idea what they’re doing.”

I put a hand on her shoulder to try to calm her. She had been worked up ever since Granddad’s death. She was constantly agitated and annoyed. Everything irritated her. I hadn’t seen her shed a single tear. Her grief seemed to surface in bouts of anger.

“I have to do this. Who else is going to run the Warriors?”

I looked to her for an answer. If she had one, I’d take it. Just one suggestion. One idea. One way to get me out of that damn office. There was a reason I wasn't a business major. I’d trade the spreadsheets for a brush in an instant if I could. But we had been round and round with the legal team. The will was explicit. I was listed as the sole heir of the Warriors. So much for being the little sister.

She stood on her tip toes to kiss me on the cheek, as her frail hands wrapped around my shoulders. “Don’t work too hard. And don’t stay in that office this late tomorrow,” she directed. “I’m going to call and check on you.”

“I’ll try better tomorrow,” I promised. “Sleep well. I'm headed home.”

“Vanessa?”

I stopped on the staircase. “What is it?”

“Have you tried to call Danny?”

I knew that was the last shred of hope she was holding out for. As if my older brother was going to swoop in here and suddenly give a shit about anything related to the McCades. He hadn’t bothered in five years.

“No, Grammy. I left him a message about the funeral. He didn’t come. I think we need to accept he’s not coming back to Texas, and certainly not back to Austin.” I didn’t mean to sound so harsh.

“Fine. But I might try him myself.”

I exhaled. I didn’t want her to keep getting her hopes up. He was only going to disappoint her. Hurt her more than she was already hurting. One of these days she would let go of the anger and show us how vulnerable she was without my grandfather.

“Good night.” I waved, descending the rest of the way down the stairs. Gretchen smiled as I walked outside.

Five minutes later, I walked through my house, turning on the lights. I loved my little ranch. Well it was 3000 ft.² but, compared to the main house it was tiny. Zeus ran up to me.

“Hey, boy.” I kneeled to nuzzle in his neck.

“I bet you're hungry.” I walked to the pantry where I kept his food.

I couldn't keep working all day like this, leaving him cooped up inside. He was a ranch dog. Ok, maybe more of an oversized lap dog, but he liked to run. He loved chasing a tennis ball. I felt like I hadn’t spent any time with him lately.

“I promise tomorrow will be better. I promise.”

I kept making promises to people. I was wondering if I could keep any of them.

I was startled when I heard the speaker buzz in the kitchen. I walked to the video screen, and tapped the confirmation button. “Yes?”

“Miss Vanessa, you have a visitor.” It was George at the main gate.

It was nearly 10:30. “A visitor, this late? Who is it?” I asked.

George cleared his throat. “Looks like Isaac Price, Miss Vanessa.”

I felt the sudden thunder rumble through my ribs. Isaac? I nervously tapped the button. “Ok, thanks, George. I forgot we had a team meeting.” Why was I lying about Isaac to the guard? “You can send him to my house,” I instructed.