Nothing in relationships are ever a sure thing. I say if both you and Hermes are willing, and he’s attracted too, then you go for it.”
“Like you say, I’m not his type.”
Echo smiled. “Well, only one way to find out.”
I sighed and grabbed another fry. “Why the vinegar?”
“I was hoping you’d try it before murdering your fries in the red stuff.” Echo pointed to my plate. “Maybe next time.”
I scoffed.
After I’d eaten as much as I could, I set about helping Echo behind the bar. I stayed away from the mixed drinks, but I was able to help serve customer beers and sodas. I couldn’t understand how Echo loved doing this.
By the time Hermes returned, I was exhausted but couldn’t remember feeling as fulfilled as spending time with Echo had made me feel. Her smile did something to put sunshine into my life and I was afraid I would lose that.
Echo brought Hermes a drink, kissed his head and walked away, leaving us in her office in the back.
“Did she do it?”
Hermes nodded. He seemed a little on edge and I rubbed my eyes.
“Joseph has information on the Brotherhood Protectors.” Hermes replied.
“Why?” I asked. “He had nothing to do with Montana and the guys. Why would he have information on them? What kind of information?”
“Personal stuff—like someone was compiling the information for some reason.” He replied. “They even have information on the new guy, Reaper. There were pictures that were obviously taken without the guys knowing.”
“Okay…”
“Tell me how much interaction Joseph has had with any of the guys on Montana’s tea, including Montana.”
“None.” I shrugged. “Aside from meeting Montana once years ago, the two of them shouldn’t have and any dealings beyond that. Maybe Joseph didn’t know what was on that chip. Maybe he saw it and took it, thinking he could make some money.”
“That would make sense.” Hermes eyed his drink but didn’t pick it up. “But there is something else here. I was thinking maybe he wanted to bring Montana down for hurting you—”
“Montana didn’t hurt me.” I explained. “I swear to God, this family is cursed.”
“Why did the two of you break up?”
“Um—”
“Not the time to lie to me.” Hermes reminded me. “I need to know if your brother took offence to that. Montana told me you ended badly, how badly?”
“I thought the Owls…”
“May have nothing to do with this.” I told her. “Not really. They may just be in because someone paid them to be. Now, how did the two of you break up?”
“It wasn’t like I didn’t love him.” I started. “He was one of the best boyfriends I ever had—hell, I was already planning our wedding. But I was young, and stupid and had no idea how a relationship really worked.”
“We all had those years.”
“Yeah, but not all of us loses everything for having them.” I stood and walked over to the window to peer out. The view wasn’t very good. Aside from a pedicured lawn a few chairs, there was a barn on the far side, sitting open. From what I could see, it was neat. “I was focused on money, on friends, on everything except him. Now, I realize all he wanted was me.”
“Explain.”
“I hadn’t spent any time with him that week.” I sighed. “It wasn’t because I had anything important to do—shopping, outing with friends. All he asked was that Saturday, I spend it with him. I promised I would then, flaked. When he called me out on it, I told him I wasn’t ready to be anyone’s wife so he should stop trying to keep tabs on me.”
“There has to be more to it than that.”
“There is. I wasn’t a very loyal girlfriend.”
“You cheated?”
I couldn’t meet his eyes. Seeing the disappointment in his gaze would kill me. “It wasn’t my proudest moment. It was one time—a stupid—and that one time just took him away. I remember his eyes. I mean, I’d just blurted it out in that argument about me flaking on him. You see, I didn’t even care enough to break it to him gently.”
“How’d he take it?” Hermes asked. “Most men would have lost their shit.”
“I wish he had.” I sat again, picked up his drink and knocked it back in one go. “Instead he looked at me as if I’d just spat in his face. Then he just walked away. So—the breakup wasn’t on him and Joseph knew that.”
“I’m going to have to tell them.” Hermes informed me. “I mean, we don’t know who else is involved