motioned toward the long counter with the Camp K-9 sign behind it—“services. I…” More throat clearing. “We thought you might be able to… I just … I wanted to ask.”
Magnus opted for serious for a moment. “If you’re askin’ whether or not I’ll help with the search when and if it comes to that, absolutely. I’m there in a second, just say the word. I’ve got enough dogs and handlers, we can work a decent-size area. I just prefer to know we’re in the right spot before we go that route.”
“Understood.”
Magnus watched Trey. He could see the uncertainty in the man’s eyes. He suspected it didn’t have much to do with his case and more to do with being near Magnus.
What they’d shared that night … it’d been by far the best sex of Magnus’s entire life. It had surprised him, actually, being that he’d had some pretty phenomenal sex with no shortage of partners.
But it was more than that. There was something about Trey that he connected with. A similar vulnerability, maybe. Whatever it was, Magnus had thought about it numerous times over the past couple of weeks, ever since that one fantastic night.
Realizing he was about to venture down a road he’d promised Trey he wouldn’t, Magnus reined in his thoughts. “What else can I help you with, Trey?”
Those steel-blue eyes pierced him, and for a brief second, he saw the same heat he’d seen on New Year’s.
Yeah, it was safe to say Trey was thinking about that night, too.
“Just say the word,” he teased. “That’s all you’ve got to do.”
Trey frowned as though he didn’t understand. Magnus knew better, so he kept his mouth shut.
“I’ll … uh … let Reese know you’re willin’,” Trey said, clearing his throat and turning toward the door.
Magnus chuckled at the double entendre he knew Trey hadn’t intended.
And then he was staring at the man as he walked out the door.
Peering down at Aurora and Sarge, Magnus grinned. “That’s not the last we’ll see of him, I promise.”
Chapter Eleven
Monday, January 18, 2021
On Monday morning, just four days after Kylie’s funeral, Travis woke up with a new determination.
He’d spent the weekend with Gage and the kids, a dark cloud hanging over them all as they went through the motions just to get through the day. His mother and father had stopped by on Saturday morning, then later, Sawyer and Kennedy brought Matthew and Brody by. The kids had enjoyed the visits because it gave them the distraction they needed, but Travis found himself growing irritable with the attention.
Because his mood hadn’t improved by Sunday, he’d skipped the weekly dinner at his folks’ place. Gage had insisted on going, and Travis saw no reason for them not to. It was while they were gone that an idea had come to him.
“Hey, Trav. Didn’t think we’d see you here for a while,” Kaleb said, his eyebrows dipped down in concern.
Travis gave his brother a single shoulder shrug. Kaleb and Sawyer had informed him they would gladly handle the management of Alluring Indulgence Resort until the time Travis felt he could return. Although he had graciously accepted their offer, Travis had known he wouldn’t be able to stay away. Not because he preferred to be taking care of the resort rather than his family, but because Travis knew he would need something to do. He was here because he wanted to be here. As far as he was concerned, there was no reason to ignore his responsibilities. It wasn’t like it would change the outcome of anything if he did.
He got similar comments from others on his trek to his office, and he offered the same response: nothing. He had more important things to deal with than making others feel better because they weren’t sure how to deal with him.
Once in his office, he closed the door. Figured there was no reason to invite more sympathetic looks from those who meant well.
No sooner did his ass meet his chair than he picked up his phone and dialed.
“Mornin’,” came a gruff, uncertain response.
“I want to offer a reward for any information leadin’ to the capture of Juliet Prince,” he said, rocking back in his executive chair and staring at the door.
“Well…”
“Brantley, I’m not askin’ for permission. I want it done. I figured I’d give you an opportunity to head it up since you claim you’re handlin’ the investigation. But if it’s too much for you…”
His cousin sighed. “Where are you?”
“At the resort.”
“Okay. Give me half an hour.