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never change,” Clyde said, an edge to his voice. “You preachin’ to me about how not to ruin my life.”
    â€œYou’re missing the point,” insisted Trey. “I care about you, Clyde, and just want to make sure you have a fair shot at getting a life that doesn’t include violence and property crime. Is that really so wrong? Or should I just keep my mouth shut like a good brother and not tell you what I think?”
    Clyde breathed out his nose. “It’s not wrong. I know you’re just trying to help. Believe me, I have no desire to get back with the ‘wrong crowd,’ as you put it. I had a lot of time to think in the pen. I know I don’t have many chances left to do it right and I don’t plan to blow it this time around. There’s definitely something out there with my name on it that doesn’t include turning back to a life of crime.”
    Trey nodded, pleased. “Well that’s good to hear.” Maybe he was finally beginning to reach him after all these years.
    â€œI mean it,” Clyde reiterated, his features softening.
    â€œIt’s still there, isn’t it?” Trey asked intuitively.
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œThat infamous Clyde Lancaster temper.”
    Clyde cracked a half grin. “I suppose so. But I’m different now. I know how to control it, channel in a positive direction.”
    Trey hoped that were true for his sake “Then you have changed.”
    â€œI think we both have.”
    â€œYou’re probably right about that.” Trey decided this was as good a time as any to spring his next surprise on Clyde. “I’ve got something for you.”
    â€œOh, yeah?” Clyde met his gaze curiously.
    â€œYeah. Follow me . . .”
    Trey led them through the twists and turns of the house to the front door, opening it. Both men stepped outside.
    Clyde spied the shiny, sapphire-metallic BMW. “What’s this?”
    â€œIt’s yours,” Trey said, pulling the keys from his pocket and putting them in Clyde’s hand. “I had someone from the dealership drop it off this morning. It’s a 650i Coupe that’s got just a few miles on it.”
    Clyde shook his head. “You don’t have to do this, man.”
    â€œI want to,” stressed Trey. “You need some wheels to get around, and I can afford to supply you with them. Seems like the perfect marriage to me.”
    Clyde was speechless. “Not sure what to say.”
    â€œDon’t say anything other than you’ll take good care of it.”
    Clyde showed his teeth. “Yeah, I’ll definitely do that.”
    Trey chuckled. “And while you’re at it, you’ll probably be needing this, too.” He took an iPhone out of his pocket. “It’s got all the fancy stuff you’ve been missing. The instruction booklet is in the car if you need help figuring things out. The cell phone has our home phone, my office, and my own cell numbers.” He handed it to Clyde. “Now you should be all set to get back on your feet.”
    Clyde made a face. “You know, though we’ve had our issues, it’s getting really hard not to like you, big brother.”
    â€œI think it’s time we started liking each other, little brother,” Trey countered, and meant every word. Both were in their thirties now and needed to respect the other for their differences, even if it might still be challenging at times. “Now why don’t you give the car a spin?”
    â€œGood idea.”
    â€œGot a full tank of gas, so break her in like a thoroughbred.”
    â€œI’ll give it my best shot,” Clyde promised.
    Clyde was about to hop inside the car when he looked up and saw Ivana peering from a bedroom window. From the start, he’d sensed there was some sort of connection between them. Or was it more his imagination? Or wishful thinking? Their eyes met for a long moment