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“Well, even if you don’t want coffee, I do Having an uninvited guest wasn’t how I planned to start the day Make yourself comfortable while you’re here”

Theodore disappeared inside the cabin, leaving Rafe to exhale his irritation He glanced at his cell phone to see if Hope had returned his last text e, the one where he’d reminded her not to touch herself Words couldn’t convey how much he wanted her to disobey him

There was nothing

Frustrated but undeterred, he decided to change his approach

He sent an email with instructions to Jeanine, then repocketed his device

When Theodore returned, he was carrying aof coffee, but even from several feet away, the scent of whiskey wafted toward Rafe “Is that necessary?”

“This one’s for you,” Theodore said, extending the

“I don’t drink in the ”

“Well, then, don’tdrink “I hated running Sterling Worldwide Didn’t plan on getting married”

“We all have to do things we’d rather not”

“Your ood woman Bit of a stick up her ass, but she did her best”

“Don’t fucking go there,” Rafe warned, a growl in his voice His ood wo Worldwide than the man ned the company Rafe would be da bad about her No matter who they were

“Duty Responsibility Think of what others will say Go to work Increase the wealth Take the right vacations Go to work Increase the wealth” Theodore gazed out over the gorgeous blue water “Even the fucking Zeta Society Take your place Do the right thing” When he looked back at Rafe, he did so with clear, lucid eyes “I abdicated”

Rafe pulled off his sunglasses “Dad Listen to me—”

“Call it retirement if you must”