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“Surprisingly all right, but ask me tomorrow.” I gave him a small smile.
“And your mental state?”
I knew fine wouldn’t be the correct answer, so I gave him the truth.
“I think I’m more curious about who the hell the guy was who warned us off. As for everything else, I’m okay. If that changes, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Good.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “I heard you impressed again on this mission. I’m glad you’re back in one piece.”
“Thanks.”
A hot shower and some dry clothes made me feel like myself again. The house was quiet when I walked downstairs, and the whole intense vibe of the house messed with my head.
“I have a ring full of keys, but I can’t open a single door,” Olivia said again in a frustrated voice. “Come on, Aunt June. These will really help to sharpen your skills.”
“I don’t know, Liv.” She huffed and sounded as drained as the rest of us.
“A piano,” I called out.
“See! Sharp as a tack. Thank you, Ty!” She sighed with relief.
I went to the kitchen and ran into Mike as he popped a beer cap.
“Where is everyone? Something feels off.”
“Yeah, we all feel it. Cole is dealing with Lexi, Keith’s wife, who is now officially not living here.” Oh, shit, that woman out front. “Yeah.” He nodded. “So, things will be tense for a bit. John’s talking to Paul. I’m not sure where everyone else is.”
“Oh.” I looked away and let my own pain seep in.
“Yeah, you know the story. John and Paul were like brothers. Now, whenever we come back from a mission, he fills Paul in.” He plucked the beer cap off the counter and tucked it in his pocket. “Sounds odd, but don’t worry. Doc Roberts is aware. Doc says Paul’s picture, the one that hangs in our conference room, kind of keeps him with us.” He sighed. “Everyone has their thing, I guess.”
“True.” My mouth went dry as I thought of Brown. “And Mark?” I tried to focus on something else.
“Ah, yes.” He held up keys. “He wants you to meet him here.” He handed me a piece of paper.
Mike slapped my shoulder as he headed toward the living room, and I turned on my heel and left to go find Mark.
The Creek Restaurant was on the outskirts of town. Country music played outside, and the inside sounded busy. I cringed at a woman who had on a pair of cow-print shoes. She grinned at me. Nope. I wondered why in hell Mark wanted to meet at a place like this.
“Ty Beckett?” A woman came over. “Your friend asked me to take you to him.” She waved for me to follow. She took me around the back and up the side to where Mark sat.
“There you are, muffin. Have a seat.” He kicked out the chair opposite, and I lowered into it. “He’s had a hard day,” he explained to the waitress, “so let’s get him a beer and some nachos to share.” She waited a beat then left. I tried to deal with my back to the exits. Already I felt uneasy.
“I didn’t know we were on a date.” I gritted my teeth and moved my chair on an angle.
“Well,” he checked his phone, “the waitress has been making hungry eyes at me and you, and we are going home together, so I figured I’d keep up the charade. Besides, we’re not the only ones on a date tonight.” He nodded over my shoulder, and I turned and caught a glimpse of Ivy. Her back was to us, and she sat alone.
“Oh, shit,” I muttered as I turned back to look at Mark. “Where’s her date?”
“He’s late, but we don’t like him.” He waited for the waitress to put my beer down. “Oh, speak of the devil.” He looked at me. “He’s arrived.”
“This feels all wrong.” I tried not to turn around.
“It’s not wrong, it’s our job. I’m tired from our mission, and Keith was next in line to go, but…” he made an annoyed face, “he has issues. Anyway, Quinn was ousted by this douche. He thought he was stalking her. Quinn apparently needs some work on his skills. So, I called you for company. Besides, Ivy likes you.”
“You’re no better than the wives.” I chuckled a bit, pleased I was here.
“When you have Mia for a wife and Savi as a sister-in-law, you just learn to give in.”
