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“Your sister is Rogue in these parts, Mr. Walker,” he said evenly. “I haven’t known a man yet that called her Caitlyn that didn’t end up on his knees with his hands covering his balls. She has a wicked knee. And you’re exaggerating the age difference by quite a bit. ”
John’s grin was slow and filled with amusement this time. “Little witch. She always did know how to go for the weak spots. ” His smile dropped just as quick. “That doesn’t tell me why a man your age is taking advantage of my sister. Or a man of your past. ”
Zeke stayed still. He stared back at Rogue’s brother coldly, sensing what was coming.
This younger Walker was no man’s fool; he would have run a check on Zeke the minute he knew his name, and the information he could have found would have worried any brother.
“You have quite a reputation in L. A. ,” the other man stated. “The detective who took down one of the most corrupt underground BDSM communities in the nation? After your wife’s death, you became quite enmeshed in the community before your investigation and the subsequent arrests were made, didn’t you?”
Zeke propped his elbows on the arms of his chair and steepled his fingers as he stared back at John Walker.
“The investigation had nothing to do with the BDSM aspects of that community,” he stated. “I was there to find a killer and a drug dealer, Mr. Walker. And the lifestyle itself has nothing to do with my relationship with your sister. ”
John’s gaze sharpened. “Strange, I hear you don’t have relationships. ”
“Strange,” Zeke drawled. “I hear that who your sister sleeps with or how she lives her life really isn’t any of your damned business. If that’s why you’re here, then perhaps you should head back home. ”
“Or perhaps I should just ask my sister about it,” John suggested.
Zeke leaned forward, his arms bracing on his desk. “Mr. Walker, before this goes any further let me warn you right now, I won’t brook any interference in my relationship with Rogue. You don’t want to make an enemy of me, and that’s something your contacts should have warned you of. You might think you see a dumb hick sheriff sitting in front of you, but let me assure you, Mr. Walker, this dumb hick knows how to hold on to what belongs to him. ”
Thick lashes narrowed over violet eyes as John stared back at him. “Are parking lot brawls a requirement of holding on to your woman in this town?” he asked. “I stopped by Jonesy’s before coming here. His face is a little worse for wear and yours isn’t much better, even two days later. What did Caitlyn think of your beating up on the man that protected her for four years?”
“What did you think of the reason he received that beating?” Zeke’s smile was cold. “Or didn’t you ask him why it happened?”
“He said he was protesting your treatment of Caitlyn,” John said softly. “Are you denying it?”
Jonesy had lied. Zeke had to admit that surprised him. He hadn’t thought the bartender would bother to lie.
“What happened will stay between me and Jonesy. ” He finally shrugged. “If you have any questions or objections, then I imagine you’ll take them up with Rogue. ”
“With Caitlyn,” John stated again.
“How old are you, Mr. Walker?” Zeke asked then. “Twelve? I think by now you’re well aware of the name your sister prefers, as well as the one that suits her best. If you can’t stop with the immature comments, then you can leave my office now. ”
Silence filled the room as John stared back at him with eyes that were like chips of violet ice. Finally, the younger man straightened in his chair and his expression smoothed out.
“Joe and Jaime Walker, and their grandmother, Callie Walker, were murdered, weren’t they?”
The change of subject didn’t surprise Zeke. Whatever answers John had been looking for about his sister had evidently been answered. The air of confrontational disrespect had evaporated and clear, icy purpose filled those violet eyes. This was a man on a mission, and his mission was identifying and eliminating the threat to his sister.
“Where do you get your information from?” Zeke asked rather than answering.
John’s lips titled. “Let’s say I have my sources as I’m certain you have your own, Sheriff.
Joe, Jaime, and their grandmother were important to Caitlyn. But even more, they were close to her. I’d like to know if her life is in danger as well. ”
“I don’t know. ” Zeke leaned forward and watched the younger man intently. “At this moment, I don’t believe it is, but I’m taking precautions just in case. ”
“By sleeping with her?” There was a spark of anger in his eyes now.
“By taking precautions,” he repeated coolly.
John grimaced heavily.
“I’m going to assume you didn’t stop and see your sister before you arrived here,” Zeke said, more than certain that was the case.
John grinned wryly. “My balls are still intact. What do you think?”
