scent of the man who’d been wearing it. I had no idea what cologne that was, but it was intoxicating.
The man whose jacket I now had did not get into the driver’s seat but rather into the front passenger seat. A moment later, the luxury car was pulling out of the circular drive.
Before I could rattle off the questions pinging around in my head, Talon was on his phone.
“I want an update, Tiegan.”
I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but I watched Talon’s expression, which did absolutely nothing to clue me in to what the update was. That did not stop me from staring.
He was … I wasn’t sure what to think of Talon, whose last name I did not know, aside from the fact he was by far the most attractive, best-dressed man I’d ever met. I’d thought the same thing after our initial encounter a year or so ago at a party very similar to the one we’d just left.
Although I’d heard Ransom mention Talon’s name on numerous occasions, I’d never really gotten a good understanding of him. Not like I’d learned about the others. Not even from the stories I’d managed to pry out of my brother, which, unfortunately, had been few and far between.
He was impeccably dressed, in what was probably a ten-thousand-dollar tux. Okay, maybe not that much. I had no idea what the going rate for a tuxedo was, but I could tell you, this one was not rented.
Rich. Talon looked rich.
And he was definitely sexy. Rugged … not really, but he also wasn’t beautiful the way some men were. The inky-black hair and slate-gray eyes were a nice combination on his chiseled face, lending him an inscrutable air.
I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but looking at him was the equivalent of feasting on the richest, most decadent chocolate and knowing you wouldn’t gain an ounce of weight. Unbelievable and addicting.
Okay, and now I was waxing poetic about the man’s face.
Could someone say adrenaline overload?
Forcing my gaze away from him, I watched the night slip past us outside the car, one streetlamp flashing by at a time. I didn’t bother mentioning my apartment wasn’t in the direction we were going. Clearly if that had been where Talon was taking me, he would’ve said so.
“Thanks,” Talon’s deep baritone rumbled through the car. “I’ll see you shortly, Tiegan.”
I fought the urge to look at him when he disconnected the call. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the sort of patience that required, because I found myself gazing over, waiting for him to tell me what was going on.
He did not.
“Well?”
Those keen eyes shifted my way.
“Did Tiegan find my brother?”
“Yes.” He did not elaborate.
“Is he all right?” Surely he realized I wasn’t going to stop asking questions until I was satisfied.
“They’re bringing him to the airstrip.”
Evidently, I was supposed to be satisfied with that, because he turned his attention to his phone, tapping out a message.
“Did my brother put you up to hiring me?” I prompted when I finally got tired of the strained silence.
Talon’s head slowly turned, his gray eyes scanning my face. “Do I look like a man who does something he does not want to do, Miss Bishop?”
“That did not answer my question,” I countered.
Talon didn’t respond.
I made a face, looking away as I mumbled, “I don’t know you. Perhaps you are,” under my breath.
His laugh was deep and rich and sent a frisson of warmth along my spine. I found that my anger had dissipated mostly, but my fear for my brother’s safety was still there, still churning.
“Zion’s with him,” Talon said softly when my eyes once again met his. “He’s safe.”
I briefly wondered if the man was a mind reader. “Would you lie to me, Talon?”
He never looked away. “Only if I had no other choice.”
I wanted to be angry at that admission but found his honesty refreshing. Everyone lied, no matter who they were or what they said. Lying was as natural as breathing, and eventually everyone did it. Even if it was simply by omitting information they felt would hurt someone else. So the fact that Talon admitted as much had me relaxing.
“Is your back against the wall now?” I asked, once again staring out the window.
“No.”
I believed him.
“Who’s Zion?”
“He works for me. He’s one of the few I trust implicitly; therefore, you can, as well.”
The formality in his words had me curious as to who this man really was. I’d deduced only a few things, but I had the