Hammered (Blue Bay Crew #3)- Cathryn Fox Page 0,26

his hungry gaze, one thought races around inside my lust-addled brain.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

7

Tyler

There’s nothing I’d like more than to take a fast break, head to one of my brother’s places on the ocean, and dive in, but I promised Haven I’d watch out for her and that’s what I damn well plan to do.

I reach over my head and stretch, having momentarily lost sight of her as she heads inside one of the trailers. Her leading man Jonah follows her in, and my nerves ramp up. I don’t like her alone with him, and not because she’s known to fall for her co-stars, but because he could be the asshole sending the letters. I wish I could convince her to go to the cops, but I have to respect her wishes. I don’t want to go behind her back, but…

“Hey,” Carter says, coming up behind me. I spin around. “Jared says I’m needed here.”

“You finish the Mackenzie place?” I ask.

He links his fingers together, stretches them and cracks his knuckles. “All done.”

“Good, you can take over for me here. Once this gazebo is finished, they want to construct the outside of a bakery, and a strip mall.”

“Fuck man, I hate this shit. When I build something, I want it to last. I hate all these temporary structures.”

I put my hand on his back totally understanding where he’s coming from. “Me too, cuz. All this effort to build and tear down again. What a waste of manpower and lumber.” I shake my head. “Dad would have hated this.” My stomach cramps and Carter goes quiet at the mention of dear old dad. He was pretty much a father figure to my cousins too, considering they all moved into the homestead when their folks died. They were on the receiving end of his tirades as much as his own biological children were. Fuck, man, we could never do anything right.

Jared steps up to us, and I glance past him to see a reporter trying to snag an interview. They must have come in from the city, looking for a big news event. I hate the paparazzi, hate how they twist a story just to sensationalize it. Christ, a few cameras were set up outside the house this morning. There was a time I played to the cameras, but now, I just want to be left alone. I can’t even imagine what it would be like for Haven. Never a moment’s peace.

“You two losers just going to sit around knitting all day or are you going to help?” Jared asks.

I catch Haven coming from the trailer, and drop my hammer. “I’m taking a break,” I say.

“So you and Haven, huh?” Carter says with a knowing grin.

I turn to him and consider what I’m about to say before saying it. Trust and honesty is a big factor in my life, and while I promised Haven her secrets were safe with me, I need my brothers with me.

“Listen, can you keep your eyes open for anything strange, anyone who doesn’t seem like they belong here.”

They both stare at me for two seconds, and then, without question, nod their heads. My heart squeezes tight. We might all fuck with each other, tease and torment the shit out of one another, and even though we’ve all been away, doing our own things, any one of my brothers would drop what they’re doing if I was in trouble, no questions asked.

Jared nods, his face a measure harder. “Yes.”

“You got it,” Carter says, his grin long gone.

“Just, ah, watch the crowds, okay?” I say as I look around at the locals and news crews watching the action from behind a cordoned off area.

I spot Officer Walker watching us. The damn man is always watching us. He eased off a bit after my big brother Sean dropped a criminal in his lap, and all the papers deemed him a hero for the bust. I take a step, and Carter’s hand on my arm stops me.

“We’re here for you. Whatever you need.”

I nod, glad that they’re not pressing for answers. “Thanks.” I’m about to leave again, and turn back. “Have either of you been to the fishing cabin?” Two sets of eyes stare at me like I just sprouted a second head. “What?” I ask.

“Nothing,” Jared says. “Why are you asking about it?”

I shrug. “I was just thinking about camping out there until the shoot is over. There’s no privacy at Gram’s now that she opened