Shelby - Mandy Harbin Page 0,94
er, working on the case, he said his brother was dead, but our records indicated he’s a POW. Now, we didn’t talk about families back then, and I haven’t talked to him since I was shot. He could’ve just said that so he didn’t have to go into the long explanation. It could be nothing, but I’d like for you to see what you can find out.”
“You’re with the FBI, Shel. You have more clearance than I do.”
“That’s not true. You’re much more important in the military than I am to the government. Besides, the military protects its own. If it’s nothing, you’d be able to find that out much easier than I could. If there’s a cover up or something, I don’t know, more to this…you’d be able to figure that out, too.”
“Why?”
“Because I owe him.”
“You don’t owe him shit. You had a job to do.”
“If I wanted to hear the same thing I’ve heard a hundred times already, I would’ve called my boss, not my brother.”
“Do you think it’ll make a difference? Whatever happened between you two, do you think it’ll change anything?”
“No, and I wouldn’t want it to.” She sighed. “If his brother is still alive, I want him to know, but that doesn’t mean I’d go running to tell him. I don’t care how he learns the truth, just that he knows it. It’s the least I can do.” She took a deep breath to continue, but gasped at the pain.
“Damn it, Shelby.” She wasn’t sure if he was talking about her request or the sound she’d just made.
“Just look into it. That’s all I’m asking.” The doorbell rang then. “I gotta go.”
“I’ll get it,” Viola called out. “Go back to guilt-tripping your brother while secretly mooning over your card.”
She was going to kill her.
“What did she say?” he asked.
“Nothing. Love you, bub.”
“Love you, too, sis.”
Shelby hung up and yelled, “It better not be a kitty delivery. The pet deposit here is outrageous.”
She heard Viola’s giggle, and her heart felt lighter. Partly for Viola, since it seemed her friend may be testing that stage of acceptance already. The other part was probably because of her brother and his willingness to help with Mason. Axle hadn’t said he’d do it, but she knew her brother.
Soft voices filtered into the kitchen, so Shelby got up, put her glass in the sink, and headed to the living room to see who was here.
She didn’t make it past the doorway.
“Mason,” she breathed. His gaze left Viola’s to find hers.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Hi, Shelby.”
“I…” What was he doing here?
“I was just telling Viola to stop trying to find excuses as to why she should pay me back.” He looked at Viola again. “It’s not happening.”
“Oh. You came to talk to her.” Shelby’s already pounding heart seized.
He cocked his head to the side. “No, I came to talk to you. This one here is just using the opportunity to convince me again.”
“It’s not right,” Viola said, fisting her hands.
“No, it’s not,” Mason agreed. “It’s not right what Dave put you through, and I have no intention of making you pay for his mistakes.” He licked his lips and looked at Shelby again. “Can we talk?”
Viola sighed. “I was just going to the grocery store.” She grabbed her purse and car keys and reached for the door.
Shelby couldn’t resist one more barb. “Stay away from the cat food.”
Viola laughed as she left.
“Do I want to know what that’s about?” Mason asked with a crooked smile.
“Just doing my part to keep her from turning into the stereotypical spinster cat lady.
“Ahh.” He nodded.
They stood there, looking at each other, the silence thickening.
Shelby cleared her throat. “Sorry. Would you like something to drink?” She motioned for the couch, feeling like a completely inept hostess, and an emotional hot mess.
“No, but thank you,” he said, sitting on the couch. She still stood in the doorway of the kitchen, knees locked, unsure of what to do. He patted on the spot beside him, making the decision for her. “Come here, Shelby.” The authority in his voice had her moving before he delivered the command to go to him.
Now seated beside him, she couldn’t stop herself from mentally cataloging all his features again, the flecks of gold in his brown eyes, the sexy wave of his hair at his forehead, the intoxicating cologne he sometimes wore. She should ask him the brand, so she could buy a case of