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“Carter isn’t invited to my house.” Braden eased back in his chair and met his sister’s fiery gaze. “I know you like him, but I don’t, and you’re well aware of my feelings on that matter. Ryker was coming in from the airport, and it was easier for him to get you. Now, are you going to have a seat or stand there and pout because you don’t like your mode of transportation?”
Laney narrowed her eyes. “It’s the lack of respect I’m pissed about.”
“I respect you, Laney.” He smiled when she finally took a seat next to Mac on the leather sofa. “If I didn’t, you wouldn’t have been called to this meeting.”
Braden glanced up to Ryker. “Close that door.”
Once the door was closed, Ryker moved on into the room, sinking into the oversize leather chair next to the sofa. Braden eased forward, resting his forearms on the desk.
“We’ll discuss what happened with you in London later,” Braden promised, nodding to Ryker. “First, we need to discuss the scrolls. I’ve spent the last two days in Zara Perkins’s home, and so far all I’ve found is an empty tube that may or may not have held one or all of the scrolls. I’m sure they’re stored separately, because together they could be ruined.”
Laney shifted, leaning onto the arm of the sofa. “Did she know you were looking?”
“No. We were going through some of her grandmother’s boxed-up things, and that’s when I found this tube.”
He pulled the container from below his desk and sat it up for them to see. “I was unable to get it open, but when I brought it back, Mac managed to get into it. There was a miniscule section that looked as if it had been broken before, so he pried that part open.”
Ryker was first to reach for the tube. He examined it thoroughly before resting it on his leg. “Tell me where you looked in her house, and I’ll start my search in other areas.”
Because Ryker assumed he’d be the next plan of action. He never questioned his duties, his position. He’d been the muscles, the enforcer, the behind-the-scenes man for the O’Sheas for years. Braden knew Ryker felt an intense sense of loyalty because he’d been taken in when his home life was extremely lacking.
“I don’t want you going in again,” Braden countered, earning him raised brows from Ryker. “Zara trusts me, and I don’t want you going into her house while she’s here.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Laney stated, eyes wide. “We need to find these and get them back where they belong. Either tell her what’s going on or let Ryker look. And what the hell is she doing here?”
Braden ignored Mac’s smirk. “She’s staying here until her power comes back on, and that’s all you need to know.”
“So you’re sleeping with her, and you’ve earned her trust, you say, yet you can’t ask her to have a look around?”
That pretty much summed up his predicament, but he wasn’t going to get into this with his baby sister. Whatever was going on with Zara was private.
Besides, the guilt that slid through him was getting quite uncomfortable. He was using Zara, no way to sugarcoat that. If any man treated Laney like this, Braden would destroy him.
“She doesn’t have to know,” Ryker chimed in. “I’m quick and thorough.”
Mac eased forward to face Ryker. “Braden has suddenly developed a conscience where his woman is concerned.”
Angry that his credibility was coming into question, Braden fired back at his younger brother. “Would you betray Jenna?”
Mac’s eyes narrowed. “Jenna is my best friend, nothing more. I’ve known her for years. And, no, I’d never betray her for any reason.”
“Then shut the hell up, and let me handle this.”
Raking a hand over his face, Braden truly had no idea how to deal with the situation. “The scrolls may not even be in the house at this point. They could’ve been moved or accidentally tossed out. But, I have to believe had they been sold, we would’ve heard about it. Documents with Shakespeare’s earliest works would’ve hit the media worldwide. Even if sold on the black market, we would’ve heard whispers. Our reach is far enough in the underground world.”
“So how are you going to search the house?” Ryker asked.
“When I take Zara back home, I’m going to find a reason to stay.” That wouldn’t be too hard, considering their current state. “I’ll search where I haven’t. I won’t leave anything untouched. I don’t want to lie to her any more than necessary, so we’re not breaking in.”
