Spark of Hope (MacKenny Brothers #3) - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,25

highly successful one, and with Maddock’s help, he’s invested his money wisely in stocks and property, but his track record with women is horrendous. The man hasn’t had a serious relationship in his whole life. It’s one beautiful woman after another, most of them as shallow and pretentious as he can be.

“Annette is family! You and I have had this conversation more than once.”

Lochlan shakes his head. “You look like shit. Annette is off-limits. She is mine. End of story.”

I take a bite of the sandwich and put it back down. While I chew, I scrutinize my brother. You can tell he’s a MacKenny, but his features are that little bit more refined. High cheekbones, fuller lips, green eyes, he’s almost pretty, but there’s a roughness to him that shines through. You’d never call him effeminate.

“You want mayo on that?” he asks as he opens the refrigerator.

“Yeah, it’s dry as fuck.”

“Then you’re doing it wrong,” teases Lochlan.

Pulling the top layer of bread off, Lochlan squeezes the bottle, so a large dollop of mayo lands on top of the meat.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“Nothing.”

Lochlan holds his arm up and points to the tattoo we all share. “You really going to lie to me in Da’s house and tell me nothing’s wrong? Spill it.”

I take another bite of the sandwich—it’s tasteless in my mouth, and my throat feels like it’s filled with sand, but I try to choke it down. I’m grateful for the beer to help me lubricate my throat enough to swallow it. I grit my teeth and make a sucking noise as I stare at him.

“Lola’s been kidnapped. She has a son I didn’t know she had. Smokey was gutted at her mom’s house, and Wheels’ old lady, Deedee, is using.” The ache in my chest increases, so I rub my chest inadvertently.

“Fuck me.”

“And Sean wants to wage war on a Columbian drug cartel for killing Smokey.”

Lochlan leans back on the kitchen countertop, his mouth open in shock. “They killed Smokey?”

“Yeah, but to use Angus’ phrasing, it’s complicated.”

“Angus is involved?”

I nod, not wanting to explain all the grisly details any further.

Annette comes back into the room in a light pink, sleeveless dress. Her hair is pulled up in a ponytail, she’s as pretty as a picture. I’d almost go so far as to say innocent, but if she’s spending time with Lochlan, I know she’s not that.

Lochlan puts an arm around her. “Babe, I need to spend some alone time with Kyle. Could we catch up later?”

Her forehead creases and she appears concerned. “Of course.” Then she points at me. “You’ll not warn him off me, Kyle. I like him.”

“I’m getting that.”

Annette kisses Lochlan on the lips and leaves the room.

“She likes me.” Lochlan smiles at me like a lovesick fool.

“The moment she had sex with, you should’ve made you realize that.”

Annette comes back with a large nude-colored handbag over her shoulder and matching pumps on her petite feet.

“You should check on your gran. Tell Annie we’re doing all we can, but as of yet, we don’t have anything.”

“You don’t have anything? What does that mean?”

“You involved Annie?” asks Lochlan.

I take a large swallow of my beer and nod at Lochlan, then stare at Annette. “Please tell her to hold off on contacting the police. Tell her I’m doing my best.”

Lochlan turns Annette around and kisses her forehead. “I’ll ring you and explain everything later.”

“Have your cell phone on, and if I ring you, you better answer. Okay?” Lochlan nods. “Kyle, I know you. You’re a good man, and my gran knows that, too. I’ll give her the message, but I’ll need a better explanation from both of you, okay?”

Annette doesn’t wait for a response. She kisses Lochlan, and as she walks past me, she squeezes my arm. Lochlan walks her to the front door while I finish my sandwich.

He comes back into the room, pulling one of my T-shirts over his head. “What can I do?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on, Kyle, there must be something?”

I shake my head and pull out one of the dining table’s chairs and sit.

“When was the last time you slept?”

“Sunday. I’m fine.”

“How many times have I heard you give us the lecture about driving tired?” Scowling at him, I put my elbows on the table and rest my head in my hands. “How’d it happen? How did they get Lola?”

I hear the front door open and then footsteps. We’re both looking in that direction when Sean steps into the kitchen and behind him is Angus and Logan.

“Do