I’ve never met anyone like him.
To him there aren’t problems, just solutions.
He’s incredible.
“That’s a bold claim.”
“I don’t do things half assed, Bronte. I like you. I want to be with you. I’m fucking falling for you. I’m not here to play any games, all right?”
“I’m falling for you too,” I admit, giving his hand a squeeze. “So I’m glad we’re both on the same page.”
We share a long, deep kiss, and it’s meaningful. It’s an acknowledgment that we’re both in this, together. This isn’t some relationship for convenience, or just for some sex. This isn’t a situationship, because I’ve heard Billie tell me about those before: when you act like you’re in a relationship but you’re not.
We’re both here because we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
And there’s peace in that.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, beautiful,” he whispers into my ear.
Chapter Fourteen
Nadia calls me the next day with the name of the person my dad spoke to the day he died: Jean Turton.
I’ve never heard of this woman in my life, but a quick social media search lets me know she’s in her forties and works as a dance teacher, salsa to be precise, along with various other side hustles like selling essential oils and massage.
Just how does she know my dad? I don’t see any pictures of the two of them, but she could have them on a more private setting. Were they friends? Why did he never mention her? I know all of his friends, male and female, and he never once mentioned a dance teacher by the name of Jean. The whole thing leaves a bad feeling in my stomach. Maybe she was his masseuse, or he was secretly learning how to dance? I can’t picture him having anything to do with essential oils.
I know exactly what to do next.
“I’ll handle this,” I tell Nadia. “I’ll go to the studio and check her out.”
“You sure?”
I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I’m sure. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“Crow?” I call out from my desk as I end the call.
He turns around from the motorcycle he is working on and stands, giving me his full attention. “Yeah, babe?”
“How do you feel about salsa dancing tomorrow night?” I ask. I already know he’s a good dancer, so it’s not like I’m dealing with someone with two left feet. I’ve never done salsa before, but this girl knows how to move her hips.
“Salsa dancing?” he asks, brow furrowing.
I explain what Nadia just told me, and he nods. “Salsa dancing it is. You ready to see these hips?” he jokes, doing a little dance move, just as Chains steps into the garage.
“What the fuck,” I hear him mutter, shaking his head and walking into the back.
Out of all the men, Chains is the hardest to get to know, and he’s barely said two words to me, which sucks because I know Crow is quite close to him. How, I don’t know, but I guess Crow can get along with anyone, and that proves it.
Crow spins me around and dips me back, catching me off guard. “Is it bad I’m actually a little excited for tomorrow night?”
“No.” I grin, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I am, too. Who knew being undercover and interrogating someone can be fun?”
“And what are you going to do if she recognizes you on sight? She’d have seen photos of you, surely.”
He makes a good point. “Well, what is she going to do, run? Then we know she has something to hide.”
Besides, it’s her work—she can’t just go missing. And frankly, I need the distraction right now, because this week I need to sort through Dad’s house and decide what to do with it and all his belongings. I don’t want to move in there—I think that would be too much—so I might rent it out. I want to keep all of his belongings, or at least most of them, for sentimental reasons, so I thought I’d rent a storage shed for them all.
“Maybe we should have someone in the parking lot waiting, and they can follow her after the class and see where she goes. We need more information on her.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
I’m going to meet this Jean, and I’m going to get some answers from her.
I’m also going to learn some new dance moves with the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
After my shift comes to an end, Crow comes with me to Dad’s house. My stomach is in knots as I step