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“And what are you going to do if Zara finds out you’ve lied to her?” Mac asked.
“She won’t find out,” Braden assured him. She couldn’t find out, because if she did, all this work would be for nothing. Not only would she permanently block him from searching, she’d never trust again. He’d made so much progress in only two days, he refused to believe anything bad would happen. And it was a risk he was willing to take to get all he wanted.
Zara had become too important too fast. He wasn’t ready to sever their personal tie. Scrolls aside, he wanted her. And, if he told her even a portion of the truth, she was so distrusting that he wasn’t sure she wouldn’t cut him out of her life. She had every right.
“The cook has prepared a late lunch,” Braden stated, coming to his feet. “I need to speak with Ryker privately.”
Mac and Ryker stood, but Laney remained seated, stubborn as ever. “And when can I go home?” she asked.
“Whenever Ryker wants to take you.”
Ryker glanced to Laney. “Might be a while. I still need to eat and crash. I had a bit of a run-in with the London police, and I’m jet-lagged.”
“I’ll call a cab,” she said through gritted teeth.
“No, you won’t,” Ryker commanded.
Braden bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. Mac turned his head to hide his smile, as well. Ryker could go without sleep for days. He was a force to be reckoned with, and if he wanted to do something, he’d do it. Apparently he didn’t want Laney to leave yet, which was fine with Braden. The more she was away from Carter, the better.
Before Laney could protest, because she no doubt would, her cell rang. Pulling her phone from the pocket of her jeans, she glanced at the screen, then up to Braden. Without a word, she came to her feet and moved to the opposite side of the room where she answered with her back to them.
“You know he’s calling to check up on her,” Mac whispered.
Braden nodded in agreement. “I don’t see what the hell she puts up with him for.”
“She’s defiant.” Ryker’s eyes remained on Laney. “She may see something in him, but she’s staying with him out of spite because you two make a big deal about it.”
Braden eased a hip on his desk and crossed his arms. “And you don’t? I’m sure you didn’t get out of her house without a verbal sparring match with Carter.”
Ryker sneered. “I can handle that prick.”
“I don’t know when I’ll be home.” Laney’s slightly raised voice carried across the room. “Of course I’m at my brother’s house. Where else would I be?”
Braden’s blood boiled, and a little of what Ryker said started to ring true. Maybe in Mac and Braden’s attempt to protect her, they’d driven her deeper into the arms of a controlling asshole. Damn it. He needed to talk to her one-on-one.
Mac headed for the door. “I’m getting something to eat. I’ll be around if you need me.”
Braden pulled his gaze from his sister and stepped closer to Ryker. “Do I need to know anything about London?”
Ryker’s dark eyes met his. “I handled it.”
“With no trace back to us?”
Nodding, Ryker’s jaw clenched. “I even managed to gain the trust and cooperation of two of the boys in blue. Next time I go back, we’ll have no worries.”
Relief slid through Braden. He knew whatever Ryker had done, he’d done his job well. “And the item is secured?”
“It’s in the Paris office, ready to go back to its rightful owner.”
Braden slapped Ryker on the back. “Go eat. I’ll clean things up with Laney and take her back home.”
Ryker’s brows lifted. “You’re taking her back willingly?”
“She makes her own decisions. I’m just hoping she sees Carter for who he is before it’s too late, because if he crosses the line more than he has, he’ll have bigger problems on his hands than just checking up on her.”
Ryker’s thin lips pulled into an eerie grin. “I’ll take her back after I eat. I’d like to have a talk with him.”
Braden shook his head. “I’ll take care of it. You go relax.”
Ryker looked as if he wanted to argue, but finally he nodded. After throwing Laney one more glance, he left the room.
While waiting for her to finish her call, Braden put the tube in the lock cabinet by the door. He didn’t want that container going anywhere for now.
