“Is something wrong?”Rawlins asked.
“Nothing.Justwanted to check in with you. See how things are going with Chaney.I thoughtmaybe the two of you might want to grab lunch today. If youhaven’talready got plans.”
“She’sat a session with Dr. Saunders right now. She should be out soon. We could meet you after that,”Rawlins said.“Are you certain everything is okay? Chaney told me howJustus’rental was broken intoand thatshe’sstaying with you now. Youdidn’tmention that to me when we texted. Anything else happen that I should know about?”
“Her dog was almost puppy nappedifthat is even a thing. Not sure yet if the guyis connectedwith the other men, but all of these incidents are happening too close together for my comfort.”
“I hear you,” Rawlins said.
“Anything happening on your end?”Rafferty asked.
“We’vebeen dealing with shit from her parents.They’rea real trip,”Rawlins explained.“Which makes the fact that Chaney turned out so great is a credit to her character. No wonder she is fighting so hard to stay out here. Ifwe’dhad parents likethem,we’dhave run for the hills.”
Rafferty laughed.“Sorry to hear that for Chaney.We’regoing to take For All to the condoandthenwe’llmeet you at the park near Dr.Saunderswhere we can decide where to go for lunch. How is that?”
“Either thatorwe could just come to the condo and order a pizza?”Rawlins said.“We could grab our swimsuits before coming over and just hang out at the pool afterward and make an afternoon out of it.”
“Idon’tknow, bro,”Rafferty said.“Justus had a meltdown when she tried on her swimsuit because of thembeing forcedto wear bikinis and high heels during their abduction. Idon’tknow if going to the pool would be a good ideaor not. Chaney might not handle it well either.”
“I didn’t think of that,” Rawlins pointed out. “You might be right. We better go to a restaurant then. Just meet us in the park and we’ll decide once we are together.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
CHAPTER 8
An hourlater,Rafferty and Justus were sliding into one side of a booth while Rawlins and Chaney slid into the other.They’ddecided on an Italian restaurant in downtown Colorado Springs. The girls werechattering awayinstead of looking at their menus.
The waitress brought their drinks and took their orders.
“Ican’tbelieve anyone would try to snatch For All away from the groomers,”Chaney said.“You must have been terrified when you got that call.”
“Iwas. Ican’twait until the trial is over and we can get on with our lives,”Justus said.
“Me either,” Chaney agreed.
“Does that mean you want tobe ridof us?”Rawlins teased.
Chaney smiled at him.“Nowdid I say that?”
“It was sort of implied,” he replied.
“Never,” Chaney said.
Justus reached across the table and grabbed her hand.“Come with me. I need to go to the ladies.I’drather not go alone forsafety'ssake.”
“Sure,” Chaney agreed.
“Five minutes or we will come after you,” Rafferty said.
“Five,” Justus said.
Once the girls were gone, Rafferty looked at Rawlins.“Is there something youaren’ttelling me about the two of you?”
Rawlins shrugged. “Not sure. Maybe. There’s a flirtation.”
“She’s your assignment.”
“Iknow that.”Rawlins fiddled with the straw wrapper on the table. Thenlookedup at his brother.“Are you telling me youhaven’tgot something similar going on with Justus?Isn’tthat the reason you called me today? I heard the hesitation in your voice.You wanted to say something to me,butyoucouldn’tbring yourself to spill it.I know you like the back of my hand.”
