to stand when she said, “Who was the man you were with? Brick or Brock?”
“Brick?”
“Yeah, is he here? Can I talk to him?”
“He’s not here.” I smirked, knowing this was going to be entertaining. “He’s with the Devil’s Reach.”
“The what?”
“Devil’s Reach Motorcycle Club in Santa Monica.”
She leaned back in her chair and looked up at me. She nibbled on the top of the pen cap. “Let me guess. He was there on business?” Her eyebrow arched, and I couldn’t help but smile at how sexy her brow looked behind her glasses.
“Something like that.”
“I’d like to meet with him.”
“I highly doubt Frank will let that happen.” I smiled then stood and checked the time.
“Mm, we’ll see,” she muttered.
I liked that she wasn’t scared of Frank or the fact that Brick was with a motorcycle club.
“Oh, John?” She stopped me when I got to the door.
“Yeah?”
“Can you get me clearance to get a hotel room in town?”
Huh?
“Frank said I should talk to you about getting the all-clear to leave.”
Interesting.
“You don’t like it here?”
She crossed her legs, which drew my eyes to her long, slender calves that led my gaze to her black matte heels.
“It’s just that I don’t want to impose, and I like to be able to come and go as I please.”
My hand dropped away from the door handle, and I leaned my hip against the windowsill. It would be better she learned now than later.
“Frank tossed this at you last minute, right?”
“Something like that, yes.” She pushed off her chair and started to gather her paperwork.
“If this case is something, which my gut is telling me it is, you’re best off here and not in town.”
“I appreciate the concern, John,” she clicked off the recorder, “but I’ve been living in Washington for a very long time and have dealt with some pretty scary people, and I’ve been okay.”
Then why are you here?
I rubbed my chin and thought about another angle to take with the conversation.
“The people up in that house,” I nodded toward the main house, “have seen all kinds of ugly, and though you might think you’ll be okay, I’d appreciate it if you’d humor them by staying.”
She stopped what she was doing and seemed to hear me. “Okay,” she nodded, “I respect that.”
Good.
I glanced at my watch. “Dinner is at six.”
“I’m not really that hungry. I think I’ll just stay here and get myself organized.” Her hands twisted together. Poor thing was very uncomfortable. I actually felt bad for her, but I also knew Savannah wouldn’t have it.
I smiled. “One thing you should know about this place, Sloane, Savannah is relentless. Unless you want her bringing the whole cavalry down here, you’d best be there at six.”
“Okay,” she held her hands up in defeat, “I’ll see you at dinner. And, John?” I looked over my shoulder. “I’m sorry for your friend.”
The painful knot returned when I pictured the rookie’s lifeless face. Though I didn’t know the kid, it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.
“Me too.” I headed outside and up the path.
The house smelled of peppercorns and baked potatoes when I entered the living room. I could hear Savannah in the kitchen singing her heart out to a country song. Cole and Mark were in deep conversation by the fireplace, and Mia was rocking Tabby to sleep.
I sometimes felt like the odd man out without a family of my own, but I just had to look around me, and I knew I had the best of both worlds. I was free as a bird to climb my mountains and do what I wanted. I knew warmth and love were all around me, and that was all I needed. Besides, I also got to play wild games with their little squirts.
“Have you washed up for dinner yet, Uncle John?” Livi popped out of nowhere like she often did.
Damn her father. Their games of hide and seek meant she knew all the hidey spots in the house.
“Not yet.”
“Surely you’re not wearing that to dinner. We have company.”
I looked down at my dusty pants and fisherman sweater and then over to my little-lady niece, who was less than impressed.
“There’s a lady guest in the house. You should brush your hair and at least change your shirt.”
“She’s right,” Savi chimed in from the kitchen.
“Fine,” I grunted and headed for the stairs.
“Oh, and Tripper ate Dell’s radio again!” Savi called after me.
“Maybe he should put it away next time,” I muttered back.
Chapter Four
Sloane
I pushed open the huge wooden entry door of Shadows’ main