“You’re lying. You hesitated.”

“Am not!”

“What about Robert’s feelings?”

Oh my god. “How do you know about him?” Robert was the man she’d dated after returning to the States to forget Shane.

“I checked up on him, too.”

“Okay, you need to stop. You’re being creepy.”

“I’m not stalking the man. Just making sure he didn’t have any criminal convictions or anything.”

She rolled her eyes. Was that supposed to make it better? “What was that? The connection here is spotty. I think I’m losing—” She hung up.

It was annoying how well Trevor knew her. He seemed to have some kind of innate lie detector when it came to his little sister.

She lay on the bed, then chuckled humorlessly at how Trevor hadn’t realized that she and Robert had broken up a few weeks ago. He was super sweet, and she liked him a lot, but ultimately, they weren’t right for each other. No, she wasn’t right for him. He needed a woman who wasn’t using him to forget her ex.

A few moments later, her phone rang again, this time a sexy Beyoncé remix. She smiled.

“Debbie! What a surprise,” Ginger said.

“Trevor just texted me. I don’t even know how he has my new number, but whatever.” Debbie spoke like she was firing words from a machine gun. It felt jarring to people who’d heard her speak Chinese, which came out with a lyrical sweetness. “Is it true you’re in Thailand with Shane?”

“We’re not here by ourselves.”

“Domestic help doesn’t count,” Debbie said. “They look the other way.”

“Peeraya isn’t like that.” Except she was.

“Have you forgotten what he did to you? That bastard tossed you out when you were pregnant with his child!”

“He didn’t know. I never told him.”

“Stop saying that to make him look less guilty. You always do, you know.”

“Debbie, I’m serious.”

“And is it true that Dane’s involved in you going to Thailand? That rat bastard?”

“Yes, but he’s paying me. And you’re right—he’s a rat bastard.”

“Don’t let them intimidate you. There are things more important than money.”

“Is that what you told your father when he gave you a brand new Mercedes coup on your sixteenth birthday?” Debbie’s father was one of the wealthiest land developers in Shanghai. His family had migrated to the U.S., but he still spent a lot of time in China overseeing his real estate empire. He was currently training his only daughter to take over the company when he retired.

“No. But I was shallow and stupid back then. I saw what you went through. No amount of money is worth the headache and drama. There isn’t enough to make up for what Shane did to you.” Debbie’s voice was low but tight with intensity. “Just let me know if you need anything, okay? Don’t stay there because jackass Dane bullied you.”

“Yes, mother.” Ginger smiled. “Thanks.”

“What are friends for?”

* * *

Sitting in the living room, Shane scrolled down his contacts on the phone. Although Dane had sent Ginger, Shane didn’t think he was the man to call. Vanessa…probably not. He had a feeling that would be unwise. Then who?

Dane’s spies watched him. They were casual about it, but he knew they were reporting his every move. Shane sneered at them, then got up and went to the bedroom. They had the decency not to invade his privacy there.

He lay on his belly and thumbed through faster. Surely he had somebody he could ask for help.

Then it hit him. Ginger had said things that implied that he and Mark were tight. Maybe he was the one to ask for a favor.

He dialed and waited. On the third ring came a deep voice. “Shane?”

“Hi.” Shane cleared his throat.

“How are you? We’ve been worried about you.”

Shane rolled to his back and stared at the pale ceiling. It was strange to hear a brother he didn’t remember talking about being concerned for his welfare. “Well. I’m fine.”

“Good. Man, you missed so much since you left. I got engaged, and so did Iain. And Vanessa finally got married, and she’s pregnant.” Mark chuckled. “Always so impatient.”

“Who?”

“Vanessa. She was the last one of us to get engaged.”

“I see.” Shane cleared his throat. “Well…congratulations to everyone.”

“Thanks! Are you coming home any time soon? We all miss you, and I’d love to have you at my wedding.”

“I…can’t say yet. When is it?”

“August. Just like Hilary wanted. She’ll love to meet you too.”

No matter how closely he listened, he couldn’t detect anything except genuine warmth and happiness from Mark. And the thing was, Shane’s gut wasn’t twisting like it had when he’d thought of his parents. Maybe Mark was a good one.

“So tell me how you’ve been. What are you up to?” Mark asked.

“Oh, this and that.” Shane spoke a bit about his travels, omitting the part about his memory loss. It didn’t seem like an item he should share over the phone. “Anyway, I’m calling because I need a favor.”

“Anything,” Mark said without hesitation.

“Ginger left her engagement ring at my penthouse. Can you have it shipped?”

“Okay. Where in your penthouse?”

“Ah…I don’t exactly know.”

“All right. I’ll find it. Where are you now?”

“At the family vacation home in Thailand.”

“How soon do you need it?”

“ASAP.”

“I can have it overnighted to you, no problem. But…why do you want it so urgently? I thought you and Ginger were through.”

Shane scowled. How did Mark know about that? “It was a misunderstanding. On her part.”

“Hmm. Okay.” There was an undertone of skepticism.

“What?”

“Nothing. I just guess this means you’re coming home soon to see her.”

“You didn’t know?”

“Know what?”

“She’s here. Dane sent her to be with me.”

Mark made a choking sound. “Dane? Are you sure?”

“That’s what she told me.”

“Ah, jeez.”

“What?”

“Nothing. I’ll have it overnighted to you. Just… Never mind.”

Shane frowned. Why was Mark reacting like that? “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“No. It’s nothing.”

Except Mark’s tone said it was anything but that.

Chapter Five

Hilary winced as Vanessa banged on the door to Dane’s penthouse. She’d texted Vanessa’s husband Justin for reinforcements, but his jet had just hit LAX. Normally she would have had complete trust in Vanessa’s ability to handle anything, but this was Dane. He never pulled any punches, and she didn’t want a bloodbath while Vanessa was pregnant.

“Dane, I know you’re in there!” Vanessa bellowed.

Hilary stared at her future sister-in-law in awe. Who knew a woman that small could be so loud?

The door finally opened. “As a lawyer, you’re aware of the laws regarding public disturbances?” Dane said. He was in nothing but a towel, which was currently wrapped around his hips. Hilary resisted the urge to squirm and looked at a spot behind him.

“Honey, who’s that?” came a woman’s voice from somewhere in the penthouse.

“Honey?” Vanessa said, blinking.

Dane shrugged. “She doesn’t know my name.” He turned to the living room, where a big-breasted blonde with puffy lips and a flushed face had appeared. She was wearing what could barely be considered a dress and had her head tilted to one side as she put an earring in.

“Hi! Are these the ones for that foursome you were talking about?”

Hilary and Vanessa exchanged a glance. Foursome?

“They’re really nice,” the blonde continued, “…although that one’s sort of fat.”

Hilary felt her jaw drop all the way to her chest. Would it be rude to punch her future brother-in-law’s bedmate?

Vanessa didn’t hesitate. “Don’t be disgusting. And get out, you skank. This is family business. For your information, her breasts are real, unlike your cheap plastic tits.”