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“Jesus,” Alec blurted. “Someone needs to tame that girl.”
“You up for the task, brother?” Gabe clamped a hand on his shoulder.
“She’s hiding something with her smart-assed comments,” Alec responded, without answering the question.
He stepped across the threshold to join the girls in the living room, while Gabe and I shared a knowing look. Between him and Alec, I wasn’t sure which one was more stoic, so when Gabe’s expression suddenly soured, my insides twisted into a knot. He didn’t have good news, which meant I needed to brace for what I was about to hear.
“The gang’s all here then?” Caleb asked, walking up the steps behind Gabe.
“Yeah. Come on in,” I offered.
Ever the host, Emory tried to order food and drinks for everyone until Caleb reminded her this wasn’t a social call, earning him several glares from around the room. She remained on the couch, with her best friends on either side, their hands each taking one of hers. My brothers and I pulled chairs from the kitchen table into the room and once we were all settled, the questions began.
Caleb started easy, asking her to walk us through her day from the time she arrived at the school to the time she and the security guard discovered the damage to her car. My fists clenched on my lap when she spoke of seeing the flattened tires. I could hear the unease in her voice, even though she was doing a damn good job at masking her panic.
“What about the security feed?” Alec posed.
“The video went down around one o’clock,” Caleb answered.
“When was the school notified?” I pressed.
“Unfortunately, they weren’t,” he continued.
“I guess the del Toro four don’t run security for the Mountain Grove public school system, huh?” Quin interjected.
“They will now.”
My statement was met with grunts of agreement from my brothers. Luckily for us, I’d already had Rico look into the small private firm who currently held the contract with the schools. They were decent, which was the only reason I hadn’t pushed for Quattro to intervene up until this point. Their lack of communication in regards to a potential security breach was unacceptable, not to mention, completely unprofessional, leaving the road clear for us to sweep in and take over the remainder of the contract immediately.
Caleb went on to inform us he’d sent Kolton to have a word with Martin Jacobs, since the man had threatened both the school and my woman, something I’d only learned that afternoon. He wasn’t home and from the pile of mail in the mailbox, it didn’t appear as if he’d been there for several days.
“I’ll stay with you tonight,” I stated.
“Like hell you will, Casanova.” Quin stood from the couch. “Ems doesn’t need your domineering ass hovering over her. She needs her girls, a movie, and a stiff drink. But since Rico Suave won’t let River out of his sight right now, she’s going to have to settle for little ole me.”
“Quin, you don’t have to stay here,” Emory muttered. “My head is still pounding so I’m planning on hitting the hay as soon as everyone is gone.”
With that, the room cleared out as my brothers, River, and Caleb said their goodbyes. When it was only the three of us left, Quin shocked the shit out of me when she took on a more serious tone.
“I don’t have many friends, I never have. You and River are more than that to me though. You’re like sisters, and there’s no way I’d leave my sister by herself after a day like you had. We don’t need to talk, hell, we don’t need to do anything. But let me be here with you.”
“Okay,” Emory agreed quietly.
“Before I leave you two for the night, can I talk to Emory alone for a minute?”
“Sure. I’ll order us a pizza for dinner.” Quin tipped her head, then walked into the kitchen.
“How are you really?” I asked, stooping in front of her with my hands on her knees.
“A little freaked out.”
“Regardless of what Quin said, I can still stay the night if it would make you feel better.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll be all right.”
“I’d still like to go on our date tomorrow.” I leaned forward and brushed my lips against hers. “We both need a little break from reality. Plus, I can guarantee what I have planned will take your breath away.”
“You’re still not going to tell me where we’re going, are you?” A smile tugged at her lips.
