Richard set his heavy glass beer bottle down on the metal patio table with a sharp crack.

His gold signet ring struck the glass twice.

“We’re making overdue improvements to family property, Leah,” Richard said, his voice dropping into the loud command tone he used at business lunches.

“Nobody’s asking you to manage the contractors.”

“The city utility assessment is fifty dollars a month,” I said.

“Whose name is on that account?”

Chloe stopped tapping her screen.

She looked at Vance, then shot me a sharp glare.