The wolf call stopped Emerson in her tracks. “What the heck?” she mumbled. Who was in the house? It had better not be Finley! She looked at the bottom of the stairs, relieved it was Graham.

“Hey, sis, lookin’ good. Where are you going all dressed up?”

She came down the remainder of the stairs and gave him a hug. “Hey, big brother. How’ve ya been?”

“Busy.”

“I guess so, Mr. Senator.”

He grinned. “That’s the plan.”

“You’re a shoo-in.” She gave him a light shove, and he nudged her back, looking her up and down with open admiration. “Wow, you clean up nice.” His dark eyes sparkled with mischief. “You should shower more often.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. It had been a long time since she’d seen the playful side of Graham. This was the old Graham—the brother she adored, how he’d been before marrying Jenna and becoming the model son and future senator. Graham was the spitting image of their dad with his dark hair and eyes, only taller and thinner. She looked past him. “What’re you up to? Where are Jenna and the kids?”

“They’re visiting her mother in Long Island.”

“Oh, so you’re getting a taste of freedom for a few days,” she teased.

“Something like that.” Both knew there was an element of truth to that statement. Jenna kept Graham on a tight leash. Sometimes Emerson wondered if Jenna and their mama were in cahoots.

“You never did tell me where you’re going.”

“To an auction.”

He looked impressed. “Which one?”

“Texas Titans’.”

“You mean the one where they auction off the players?”

“Yeah. The proceeds help military vets with rehab assistance and counseling.”

A coy smile twisted over his lips. “I see what’s going on here.”

She went stiff. There was no way Graham could know about Riker. “What do you mean?” she asked carefully.

His eyes held laughter. “You’re growing tired of Finley, so you’re trading him in for a football player.”

“Shut up, you moron.” She shoved him.

He clucked his tongue. “Poor, Finley. He’s learning a hard lesson.”

She cocked an eyebrow. “What lesson?”

He leaned against the staircase post, crossing his arms over his chest. “That all the money in the world won’t be enough to hold a free spirit like you.”

She was about to say something smart back, then saw the admiration in his eyes. It caught her off guard … surprised her a little.

“Which football player have you got your sights set on?”

She laughed lightly. “My only concern is for the vets.”

“Sure it is.” He shook his head, chuckling.

“Did I hear someone say football?” They turned as Ethan came into the foyer. He took one look at Emerson and frowned. “Why’re you all dressed up, cupcake?”

“She’s going to an auction,” Graham said.

Please don’t tell him the bit about the football players, she pled silently. No sense in adding fuel to the fire.

He came over to them resting his arm on the bannister. “What auction?”

“The Texas Titans’,” Graham supplied.

A crease appeared between his brows. “The bachelor auction?”

She shot Graham a sharp look. He held up his hands. “He asked.”

“Sweetheart, I don’t think you should be going to that auction.” Ethan pinned her with a severe look. “It could send the wrong message.”

Her hand went to her hip. “The wrong message to whom?”

Ethan scratched his head. “Well, to Finley.”

Emerson didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. How many times were they going to keep having the same conversation? It took a superhuman effort to keep her voice even. “Do I need to remind you that Finley and I aren’t together?”

Ethan gave her a blank look like there was a blocker in his head that kept him from processing what she’d just said.

She clenched her fists. “Daddy, I don’t know how many times I have to say it for you to understand—” She stopped mid sentence hearing the ominous sound of her mama’s stilettos across the floor. Of course, she’d show up right now.

Caroline surveyed their faces. “What’s going on?”

“Emerson’s going to the Texas Titan Bachelor Auction,” Ethan said.

Caroline’s face puckered like she’d suddenly slurped down a dozen pickles. “What?”

Emerson glared at them. “I thought y’all wanted me to play the part of debutante and go to all the little charity auctions.”

“Don’t get smart,” Caroline warned, her eyes sparking. “Why’re you going?”

Geez. “I’m a grown woman and don’t need the third degree.”

Caroline’s back went ramrod straight. “That’s right. You are a grown woman with responsibilities, and you need to start acting like it.”

A harsh laugh rose in Emerson’s throat. “By marrying Finley Landers so your merger can take place and your golden son can secure his spot as senator?” Disgust boiled in her stomach. “That’s all that matters to y’all, isn’t it? The prestige and money. Well, I won’t be a party to it.”

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, letting out a shaky laugh. “Sugar bug, it’s not like that. We just want you to be happy.” His voice was pleading, docile.

Emerson glared at Graham. “Why did you have to bring up the auction anyway?”

He stepped back. “Sorry, I said anything. You know what, this is a good time for me to go call Jenna and the kids.”

“That’s right, big brother,” she spat. “Poke the hornet’s nest, then run away.”

Graham didn’t even give her the courtesy of turning around. He just shook his head and waved as he walked down the hall towards the back of the house.

“Let’s go sit down in the living room, and you can tell me more about this auction,” Ethan said.

“No,” Emerson countered. “I’m going and there’s nothing either of you can do about it.”

Ethan gave her a placating smile. “We’re not trying to stop you, darling. I just want to know what you’re up to.”

“If you must know, I’m going with Dede,” Emerson said. True, she was going with Dede, but that’s as much as they needed to know.

“Are you planning on bidding on one of the players?” Caroline asked, her mouth pulled tight, emphasizing the lines around it.

Emerson lifted her chin. “So what if I do? I have my own money.” She’d gotten access to her inheritance at age twenty-three and had spent very little of it.

“Honey, you should protect your money, not squander it,” Ethan said.

“I’d hardly call donating money to charity squandering it, Daddy.” Emerson was getting tired of the two of them tag-teaming her.

“True,” Ethan conceded, “but what if you need the money for something else … down the road?”

“I’m perfectly capable of managing my own finances,” she said stiffly.

“You’re not going,” Caroline said through gritted teeth. “I forbid it.”

Emerson laughed out loud. “Seriously? I’m not ten, Mama. You no longer have control over me. I’ll do what I want, when I want.”

The slap took her completely off guard, the sting of her mama’s hand reverberating across her jaw. Tears rushed to her eyes. “I hate you,” she muttered, holding her face. The emotional wound from the slap was much more painful than the physical hurt.

“Now, now, calm down,” Ethan said with a nervous laugh. He turned to Caroline. “Emerson’s right. She’s a grown woman and can make her own decisions.”

For a second, Emerson didn’t think she’d heard him correctly. “What?” She looked at her mama, could swear she saw steam coming out of the devil woman’s ears.

Caroline spun around, aiming her venom at Ethan. “Have you lost your mind?”

He put a hand on her arm. “Just hear me out. Emerson has every right to go to that auction, and even to bid on one of the players, if she so chooses.”

“Thank you,” Emerson said, giving her mama a vindicated look. “What about Finley? Do I also have the right to turn him down?” She looked at her daddy, his lower lip went loose like a limp noodle. Yes, she was backing him into a corner, but she couldn’t stop now. She wanted to get a commitment out of him here and now.

“Don’t push it,” Caroline warned.

“Go on to the auction, cupcake,” Ethan said, giving her a fleeting smile. “I’ve got some work to take care of in the study.” He turned and shuffled out, his shoulders hanging low, like he’d suffered a heavy defeat.

“See what you’ve done?” Caroline yelled, tears springing to her eyes.

A hard amusement came over Emerson. “What? Stood up for myself?”

Caroline slung back her head, nostrils flaring. “You’re so spoiled and ungrateful.” Her lower lip trembled. “I never thought I’d see that day when my own daughter would treat me this way.”

When the hostility failed to work, her mama went into the wounded routine.

Suddenly, Emerson had enough. “Save it,” she barked, turning on her heel and storming out the door.

No surprise. When Caroline entered the study, Ethan was making himself a Scotch. She strode over and sat down in an overstuffed chair. “You should’ve told her the truth.”

He turned to face her. Then he swirled his glass, the liquid funneling like a tornado before he downed the entirety of the drink in a couple of swigs. “Tell her what? That her old man’s a failure? That my business is a bust?”

“If Emerson knew the truth, she’d understand why it’s so important for the merger to take place.” Her voice went hard. “Instead, she’s headed off to squander her money on some stupid bachelor auction. You need to tell her, Ethan. If she hears it from you, it’ll make a difference. The two of you are as thick as thieves.”

He poured himself another drink. “No, I don’t want to put that burden on Emerson. Let her enjoy herself a little. Reality will set in soon enough.” He brought the glass to his lips, taking a long drink, a slight shake in his hand.

She folded her arms, eyeing him. “What do you think will happen if Finley, or worse, Kenton Landers, gets wind that Emerson is out bidding for a date with a football player? It could destroy everything.”

He let out a humorless laugh. “You always go straight to the worst-case scenario.”

Her jaw hardened. “I’m a realist.”

He came over and sat in the chair beside her. “Here’s the way I see it … there will be a room full of rich women bidding on a handful of players. Chances are, Emerson won’t even win the bid.” He gave her a censuring look. “If you keep riding her so hard, you’re bound to push her away. Then where will we be?”

Caroline let out a long sigh. “You’re right. I’m just worried.” This time, she didn’t have to fake the tears in her eyes. They were on the verge of losing everything. She couldn’t even fathom the thought of the merger not taking place.

Ethan placed his drink on the nearby table and patted her leg, giving her a reassuring smile. “It’ll be okay.”

“I’m not so sure.”

“Have I ever let you down?”

“No.” They’d come close to losing everything a few times over the years, but Ethan always managed to pull things back together. He was older now, though, not as confident and scrappy as he’d been in his younger years.

“Trust me.” He gave her a pleading look. “It’ll be okay.”

Finally, she nodded. “Okay.”

A pleased smile broke over Ethan’s face. “That’s my girl.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips, planting a kiss on the top. “I’ll always take care of you.” His eyes held hers. “I promise.”

A tear slipped from her eye and dribbled down her cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She wished she could share Ethan’s optimism that all would work out. She had no doubt that if Emerson wanted one of those players, she’d spend her last cent to get him if necessary. At this point, Caroline figured Emerson would win a bid just to spite them. Dread churned in her gut. She got a bad feeling that they were heading for disaster.