Hide & Seek - Nicole Edwards Page 0,64
Reese was thrilled to see his brother. More so these days because it was such a rare occurrence. Back during their father’s last days, they’d spent quite a bit of time in one another’s presence, talking about the past, laughing about their childhood antics. Despite the depressing nature of the encounter, Reese looked back fondly at the memories. No doubt about it, he’d always looked up to his big brother.
“Well, I’ll be damned, Walker,” Z greeted when he stepped out onto the front porch. “I think you mighta grown since high school.”
Brantley laughed, held out a hand. “I could say the same to you. What are you? Seven feet tall?”
“A few inches shy.” Z turned to Reese. “Hey, little brother.”
A hug ensued because that was what Z did. At least with those he was close to. Reese figured by the end of the evening, Z would be hugging Brantley goodbye. He considered how Brantley would react. Go with the flow, that was what he would do, because he was smooth like that. Nothing seemed to faze him with the exception of nightmares and migraines, both of which were reoccurring at a rapid pace.
“Well, come on in. RT’s in the kitchen.”
“Cookin’?” Brantley asked, just as at ease with Z as he seemed to be with everyone else.
Reese certainly envied his ability to interact with anyone and everyone.
“Hell no,” Z answered with a chuckle. “We ordered out. But I’m sure he’s dishin’ it up in order to pass it off as home cooked. Never really understood that myself. What if it tastes like shit and you passed it off as your own? Screwed the pooch, right?”
Reese grinned. It was good to see Z so laid-back, so … happy.
RT looked up when they stepped into the kitchen, smiled. “Hey.”
Ryan Trexler looked the same as he had every other time Reese had seen him. Blond hair, ice-blue eyes, and a build that leaned more toward a swimmer than a gym rat, RT was a handsome man, something Reese had always thought. Granted, it had never been from an interested perspective and it still wasn’t. Try as he might, Reese hadn’t met a man who’d caught his eye. Not the way Brantley had.
“Brantley, meet my husband slash boss, Ryan Trexler. RT for short. Babe, meet Brantley Walker. My little brother’s main squeeze.”
Reese felt his face heat but heard the relaxed chuckle from Brantley. He’d known going in that this would be uncomfortable, but he had vowed to get through it for Brantley’s sake. Last thing either of them needed was for Reese to let his nerves get the best of him. This was a judgment-free meal and he would do well to remember that.
“It’s good to meet you,” Brantley said, shaking RT’s hand. “Heard a lot of good things.”
“About him?” Z asked, turning to Reese. “You talk about my man?”
The teasing in his tone was meant to put Reese at ease and it worked. “If there was anything good about you, I’da talked more about you, but…” He shrugged a shoulder.
Z laughed. “Go sit down.”
“I was referrin’ to Sniper 1 Security,” Brantley clarified as the two of them sat at the table while Z and RT set down full plates at all four spots. “Heard a lot of good things.”
“We aim for good press,” RT replied with a grin. “Family business and all.”
Z pointed at Brantley, then to the refrigerator and back again. “Somethin’ to drink? Beer? Wine? Water?”
“I’ll take a beer,” Brantley said easily.
When Z looked Reese’s way, he nodded in agreement.
“I was wonderin’,” Z said, his expression thoughtful, “does it make the Tavoularis men the submissive sort since we seem to fall for our bosses?”
Again, Reese’s face flamed, but he managed a response. “In my defense, Brantley wasn’t originally my boss.”
“I’m still not,” Brantley said, glancing over. “I consider us equals. He’s my partner. Hell, he’s probably more competent than I am when it comes to runnin’ a team.”
“Says the decorated Navy SEAL,” Reese countered. “Master chief if I recall correctly.”
He got a wink from Brantley and he suspected it was meant as warning he would get payback later.
“Thank you for your service,” Z said, his tone serious.
“Yes, thank you,” RT added when he joined them at the table. “So, tell me what this task force entails.”
The four of them started to eat, the conversation moving steadily as they did. Brantley filled them in on how the task force came about, their first cases.
“Talk about trial by fire,” RT stated. “First case involved