Drained (Edgars Family #6) - Suzanne Ferrell Page 0,58

fear out on Paula, but right now everywhere she looked all she could see was Mia’s lifeless body in that macabre pose. A warm hand settled on hers clenched in her lap. She felt Aaron glance her way, but she just couldn’t meet his gaze. Instead, she flipped one hand over to hold his in a tight clench.

Classic rock music filled the silence as they drove west until they turned onto the road leading to the Tudor-style safehouse, one burgundy Cadillac parked in front. They drove past it and Kirk F nodded from the Caddy’s driver seat.

“This is where I’m staying?” Paula asked, her voice full of awe as they drove around back to the garage.

“This is it,” Aaron said, stopping to put the security code into the panel and wait for the garage door to open. “Where did you think we were taking you?”

She chuckled a little. “I figured some fleabag motel like they show on TV.”

A second SUV was parked in the garage. Brianna glanced at Aaron. “Castello?”

Aaron shrugged as he pulled in beside the other car. “I’d assume so. He owns the place after all. But just in case,” he said, leaning closer to unlock the glove compartment and pull out his service weapon he’d locked in there earlier. “Why don’t you let me go in first.”

“Whoa,” Paula said from the backseat, clutching Stanley to her as Aaron climbed out of the front seat and stood with the gun within her sight.

Aaron tilted his head her direction with one brow arched. “Told you we were bringing you both here for your safety. I meant it.”

“I guess so,” she said.

Brianna almost smiled. Seeing Aaron holding a weapon and taking their safety very seriously finally knocked the stubbornness out of her friend. Maybe now Paula would cooperate more in not only her safety, but her recovery, too.

At that moment the back door opened and the familiar figure of Matt Edgars stepped into the garage, followed closely by his petite wife, Katie, who smiled and waved at Brianna, who let out the breath she’d been holding.

Aaron shoved his weapon into his shoulder holster and went forward to shake hands with the other man. “Wasn’t sure who was here.”

“I can see that,” Matt said, shaking hands and clapping Aaron on the back. “Castello said you could use a little help, so here we are.”

Brianna hurried out of her side to help Paula and Stanley out of the back. “It’s okay, they’re friends,” she said to the pair, who both looked a little wary of the couple. “This is Katie Edgars and that’s her husband Matt. They’re my best friend’s in-laws. They both helped save me years ago.”

“Abby and Luke are out on the west coast on a mission, and Jake didn’t want to pull them out, so he sent me and Matt,” Katie said coming around to give Brianna a hug, then take Paula by the arm and walking with her into the house. “My husband used to be a State Trooper, but now we both work private security for the family business. Besides, rumor has it you need some extra nursing care, and I just happen to be one.”

By the time Katie finished her introduction, she had Paula divested of her coat, seated on the leather sofa with her feet elevated, a warm afghan tucked around her and a glass of water in her hands.

“Drink it all, then get some rest. It’s always amazing how just coming home from the hospital can be exhausting. We’re just going to talk in the kitchen,” she said and took Brianna by the elbow to steer her to the barstools lining the kitchen island, just as Matt and Aaron returned from taking Stanley outside.

The pup dashed to Brianna’s feet and sat staring up at her, wagging his tail.

“No, you’re not coming into my lap,” she said. “Go lay down.”

Stanley bounded into the living room and snuggled in with Paula.

“He’s very cute. Is he yours?” Katie asked.

“No,” Aaron answered before Brianna could, sliding into the barstool next to her. “He belonged to our first murder victim and is our only witness.”

“He led us to Art’s body Thursday night,” Brianna hurried to explain. Then she and Aaron took turns filling the other couple in on how they came to be looking for Art, finding Paula ill, her admission to the hospital for pneumonia, Kirk F and Nana’s help, and then finding Mia this morning, choosing not to mention her name. They’d decided to tell Paula later

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