Ryker (Hope City #6) - Kris Michaels Page 0,55

to lead anyone to your new digs, just in case someone is watching.” Terrence’s voice was too damn chipper for this time in the morning.

“I’ll go with Brie to her restaurant. Pick me up there at about…” He glanced at Brie, who was padding back to the bed. She held up her fingers, indicating ten. It would make for a late return, but it was Brie’s first day back today and he wouldn’t see her until after midnight. “Ten.”

“Fine, but you’re buying dinner.” Terrence ended the call, and he dropped the phone onto his stomach. “Sorry to wake you up.”

Brie made a humming noise and snuggled up next to him. “What are you doing today? The doctor said no work for two more weeks.”

“I have to go into New York to talk to a witness. Someone who may have an idea why someone would go after me.”

She lurched up onto her elbow, startling him. “Who is going with you?” Her eyes were a bit wild behind the fall of dark brown hair.

“Lieutenant Theron.” He frowned and pushed the hair from her face with his good arm. “Don’t worry, babe. I don’t take unnecessary chances. What happened last week was a freak thing.”

She sagged. “It was only last week, wasn’t it? Sometimes it seems longer, but other times I’m right back at the hospital waiting to hear from the doctor about your injuries.” She leaned her cheek into her hand. “Speaking of that, have you talked to your brothers since they stopped by the hospital that morning?”

He closed his eyes. They had all reached out to him, but he hadn’t responded. He needed to return their calls and texts. “No, and that’s on me. Every one of them has either called or texted. I haven't returned their gestures.”

“How about we have them over for dinner on Saturday? I’m going back on a limited schedule until you go to work, and I thought I’d come home after dinner service has started. After that, it is pretty much downhill. I can do the accounting and the deposits the next day. Roger can lock up the register drawer when the front doors close.” She laid down on his good shoulder and slid her long leg over his.

“Are you sure?” He turned his head so he could see her.

“Yeah, this past week I’ve realized just how much time I’ve been spending at the restaurant. I can work from ten in the morning until seven at night and handle everything. I was usually helping prep, but in reality, we can hire someone to do that. It would seem there is something in my life more important than my restaurant now. So… Saturday?”

“Saturday?” He searched his brain for any reason to postpone that event but couldn’t come up with even a ghost of an excuse. “Yeah, sure. Saturday.”

“Perfect. I can invite down Brody and Amber.” She yawned and cuddled closer.

“No, let’s hold off with that. I think the first time I meet with all of them, I should probably do it alone.”

“Alone? Oh, okay, I can find something to do at the restaurant.”

“No. I meant without the others. I’ve seen how inviting your family grows into a major affair. Just you and me this time, and we’ll include the clan later. Besides, I’d like you to get to know my brothers.” He ran his fingertips up and down her arm in a lazy caress.

Now that he understood what had happened on his brothers’ side of their joint past, he was trying to put the pain behind him. Trying, and mostly succeeding. There were still lingering feelings that he’d have to deal with, feelings of inadequacy, of never measuring up. Benjamin had ingrained those feelings well, but perhaps that was why he’d worked so damn hard to build a successful team. Fenton reminded him of his stepfather. No matter how well he and his team worked, Fenton degraded and demoralized him. Yet he fought for his team and for himself. It was what he did, what he knew. Who knows what he would have done or become if his stepfather hadn’t treated him like he was worthless?

“Dinner? I can ask Roger to make something nice and I can bring it home. That way I don’t have to cook, I can visit with you and your brothers.”

“That would be perfect.” He chuckled when she yawned again. “Go back to sleep. We have time.”

She snuggled against him and sighed. “You sure?” The words slid together. He kissed the top of