Roark gave her a once over as though checking for bodily harm before he turned his attention back to the mess of electronic parts spread out on the table in front of him.
The three sets of eyes she didn't know studied her with curiosity and delight, nothing hostile thankfully, and Penny appeared completely at ease with everyone in the room, so Alyssa figured they were okay.
One of the many things she'd learned about her sister in the last three months was she had a sixth sense when it came to people and situations. She could read them better than words on a page. It was a skill she'd probably been forced to learn and sharpen living with Gina.
The thought of her mother made Alyssa frown. Her gaze moved back to the table and the mess in front of Penny and Roark suddenly became clear.
"Is that myphone?" She strode over and glared at Penny. "You took apart my phone?"
"Roark's bugging it."
"What?" Her gaze snapped to Jack. "What the fuck?"
"We need to find Gina." He moved closer to her. "Why didn't you tell me she's been calling you? Did you tell your lawyer?"
"No point. She just threatens to take Penny away or have me arrested for kidnapping. She's after money, which I have no intention of giving her, and I have no idea how she got my number or where she is because she won't tell me."
"You should have told me."
"Why? It's not your problem."
"It is now." He held up his left hand and wiggled his fingers, bringing her attention to the wedding band on his ring finger. "And I've told you over and over I'd help."
"I don't need help."
He scowled at her. "You don't? Really? Because they awarded you permanent guardianship?"
"Shit."
"Yeah. Here's how this is going to go. Where Penny is concerned, we're a team. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend. Keaton is going to contact your lawyer tomorrow and we'll petition the court again."
"Who the hell is Keaton?"
"Ah…that would be me." One of the men standing over by the bar smiled at her. "Nice to meet you."
"Uh, hi." She gave him a finger wave. Jesus. A finger wave? She wanted to slap herself in the forehead. Turning back to Jack she demanded, "What has bugging my phone got to do with Gina?"
"We can find out her location and pay her a visit."
Alyssa wasn't sure whose gasp was louder. Hers or Penny's. "What?" she rasped.
"We'll pay her a visit."
"I'm not going anywhere near her!" Penny yelled, her accusing gaze drilling into Jack. "You said I'd never go back."
"You won't. And when I saywe,I mean me and Roark, not you or Lys."
"Oh." Penny's gaze moved to the man sitting beside her. "You're gonna go see Gina?"
"Yep." Roark didn't look at anyone and his fingers continued doing whatever it was he was doing with her phone, but Alyssa knew he wasn't happy about talking to their mother.
"You don't have to do that. I think it's better—"
Roark's gaze snapped to hers. "Oh, I know I don't have to, and believe me I wish it wasn't necessary but not for the reasons you think." Anger swirled in his eyes and his whole body had gone rigid. Surprisingly, the big man didn't scare her.
"Oh."
"Yeah."
