Wednesday. Grimaldi Place, Chevy Chase, MD.YVONNE STUDIED HER APPEARANCE in the mirror. She ran her fingers over her neck and up her cheek.No hickies. Not even a love bite.Thank goodness.She still couldn't believe she'd allowed yesterday to happen. It wasn't smart. Unlike her brothers she couldn't get away with whatever she wanted. History had proven that she would always get caught.But it was worth it.She slapped her hand over her mouth as though she could silence the voice in her mind.Mom didn't have mind-reading powers, but she had always known what Yvonne's brothers were up to. Yvonne was going to have to be very careful in how she conducted herself around the family today.Yvonne smiled at her reflection, then laughed for no reason.That wouldn't do, but she'd been doing it since Nolan escorted her to her bedroom yesterday.She'd managed to avoid her family last night by claiming she needed rest to feel her best again. Mom was still fussing over Dougl

Wednesday. Grimaldi Place, Chevy Chase, MD.NOLAN LEANED AWAY FROM the monitor in time to see Yvonne on one of the feeds push open the patio door and step out onto the wide terrace leading down to the pool. She put a hand to her hair, running her fingers through the strands, and tipped her chin up.It was an overcast day with little to no chance of rain, but it made for a dreary atmosphere.Had she talked some sense into her family?"How's the picture look?" Vaughn sat back on his heels. The poor guy had been up most of the night. He'd just crawled into bed when Mrs. Krieger burst in and told them to get out."Good," Nolan replied."The picture, not the woman, dumbass."He presented his middle finger to Vaughn.Vaughn chuckled and pulled himself up into the desk chair next to Nolan. "You've never been this friendly with a client before. You think I'm going to pass up the chance to give you shit?"Nolan didn't reply. It was a damned if he did, damned if he didn't si

YVONNE COULDN'T SEE THE house. Even the grass a few feet in front of her was blurry.She lifted a hand and swiped at her face, doing her best to stem the tears. There was a difference between knowing her place in the family, and others seeing it. She'd always played the role of the dutiful daughter, content to work in the shadows, because she was part of something. Yes, Theodore had a bad habit of not passing along the praise for her work, but he had a lot on his plate, too. It wasn't like he sat back doing nothing. They each did their part.Instead of heading for the patio, she cut through the grass toward the old oak tree and the tree house. As kids Theodore used to say she wasn't allowed inside because she was a girl, but Douglas would sneak her up when their oldest brother wasn't looking. They'd spent happier days up there.The old oak was on the east side of the yard, twenty or so feet from the fence. She didn't remember when the landscaping company had put in the stone path

Wednesday. Grimaldi Place, Chevy Chase, MD.YVONNE TIP TOED INTO the kitchen. She could hear Theodore's voice echoing off the walls, doing his best to capture the attention of the family. He really was a great brother.She grabbed bread, peanut butter, a banana and knife, stacked it on top of her laptop and headed for the stairs. Her to-do list was full of things she couldn't write down like, find a doctor that wouldn't tattle on her to her parents.Loaded down with her bounty, she scurried across to the rear stair and up to the second floor. She held her breath all the way to her bedroom door and didn't breathe until she'd ducked inside.She dumped her things on the desk then changed back into her pajamas and out of her dusty wrap dress. So much for looking nice enough to escape criticism today. That done, she set about making herself a sandwich.Or tried to.She got as far as opening the jar of peanut butter before the scent had her stomach churning. Her shaking hands

Wednesday. Grimaldi Place, Chevy Chase, MD.YVONNE STARED AT HER phone, waiting for Tabby's next message. She wished she could talk to Tabby, but twelve hours time difference and shoddy reception in the remote part of Japan Tabby was currently in made that impossible.Yvonne scrolled back through the messages from the last half hour.I can't believe you didn't tell me!I've checked all flights. There's no way I can get back before Sunday.I wish I could be there for you tomorrow.Tabby was really the best friend a girl could ask for. Yvonne wished Tabby could be there at the clinic, but the need to know was more pressing than her need for a hand to hold.Maybe Yvonne could video chat Tabby in on the appointment when it was time to get the results back. Even that virtual hand holding might be better than nothing.A rhythmic knock on the door brought Yvonne back to the present.She powered her screen off, locking the phone, and slid it under her pillow.