Flynn
My friendly stakeoutcop is busy reading a book when we pull onto the drive of Lachlan’s house. Hazel gapes at him as we pass. “Should I be worried that the SPD can’t catch a serial killer when he’s right in front of them?”
I nod. “Probably.”
She turns to look at the condo. “Is this your house?”
“My brother’s.”
“The lawyer.”
I smile to myself, the thought of Hazel looking me up making me absurdly happy. I was less happy to find her only a few feet away from Senator Claren. I may be more dangerous than him, but I would never hurt Hazel like he would. The man is a monster and the very idea of her falling onto his radar has the pressure in my head pounding.
I throttle the leather steering wheel and wait for the garage door to open.
I took one of Lachlan’s cars deliberately so I could get in and out of the house through the garage because I didn’t exactly like my chances of carrying Hazel up to the roof.
Lach’s working from home today so even if the cop outside actually bothered to do his job, he’ll have just assumed Lachlanwas the one driving. It’s almost laughable how bad the police are at their jobs, you know, if it wasn’t an indictment to the whole corrupt failings of society.
The garage door whirs shut behind us, and I get out of the car. Hazel seemed to have relaxed somewhat on the drive but by the time I open her door she has her seatbelt in a death grip.
“Hazel…”
She stares straight ahead at the windshield. “If it’s okay with you, I’m totally ready for you to take me home now.”
“Hazel.”
“Don’t get me wrong, this has been great and all but I, uh, have plants to water.”
I brace a hand against the door frame and hold back a smile. “You don’t have any plants.”
Hazel’s hands finally leave her seatbelt as she slumps in the seat and rolls her head to face me, her cheek resting against the leather. “They keep dying on me.”
I press my lips together, amusement making my cheeks ache. “Are you going to get out of the car?”
“Do I have to?” she whispers.
“Yes. But I can make it easy for you if you want.”
Hazel’s eyes narrow a little, but she nods her head.
I lean over and unfasten her seatbelt then lift her out of the car. “There, not so bad right?”
She scowls at me. I just grin and bend at the waist, lifting her over my shoulder. “Off we go.”
“Flynn!” she squeals, her little fists hitting my back. “I can walk!”
I tap her ass as I head to the door that leads into the house. “I know you can, but this is so much more fun.”
Giving up on fighting, Hazel goes ragdoll as I walk through the front hall and into the open plan kitchen. Lachlan is sitting atthe island on his laptop. He looks up when we enter and blinks at me. “What the ever-loving fuck, Flynn?”
“Relax, she’s here voluntarily.”
Hazel pushes up off the small of my back. “Uh, debatable.”
I tap her ass again. “Shh, you.” I keep walking towards the corridor.
“I take it you’re the brother?” Hazel asks as we pass Lachlan.
