My mom called me at 2 a.m. and said I could come to my brother’s fiancée’s family dinner only if I kept my mouth shut. She warned me her father was a decorated colonel. Bu

blade.

Cassandra stared at her. Ethan did too.

Colonel Whitaker’s eyes sharpened.

“Mrs. Mercer,” he said, “your daughter did not attract conflict. She walked into it because everyone else was too afraid to move.”

My mother pressed her lips together.

Dad cleared his throat. “Colonel, with respect, we didn’t know all the details.”

I turned toward him. “You continue reading …