“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?”