Page 39 of Dead Drift

“Aren’t you the one who just told me not to trust anyone new who enters my life?”

“Because I know Mack. He’s been my private contact and source of information since I left town.”

Her eyes narrowed “What kind of information?”

He glanced over, his expression conveying a world of hesitation. “About you and the gang. And family.”

“You had him spying on us?”

“No. I had him checking in on you. He let me know you were safe and gave me updates.”

“What kinds of updates?”

“Like when you left the Bureau and started your private investigation firm.”

“He’s been keeping tabs on me?”

“On all of you.”

“And you don’t find that . . . what’s the word I’m searching for? Intrusive?”

“No more so than the PI you had watching me.”

“That was to see if you were alive, not find out details of your life.”

He looked at her with a knowing tilt of his head.

Okay, so she had been curious about his life beyond her contact simply finding him. Perhaps he was making a decent point after all, and she liked that he’d been concerned for her and cared about her enough to keep tabs on her. She just wished he’d loved her enough not to leave in the first place.

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled down a long gravel drive and finally stopped in front of a house with a man she assumed to be Mack standing on the porch. He was about Luke’s height—a little over six feet and built—muscular and toned but not bulky. He had similar brown hair, but unlike Luke’s vibrant blue eyes, Mack’s were a honey brown.

“Mack, this is Kate.”

He smiled. “Nice to finally meet you.”

“Yeah, Luke was just telling me you’ve been keeping tabs on me.”

Mack’s cheeks flushed.

“Okay,” Luke said. “I’ll be back in an hour.” He moved for the car.

She bounced her right leg, anxiety tracking through her. “I don’t need a babysitter,” she called after him. Despite her unusual unease, she could take care of herself—had for over seven years.

Luke turned and strode back to her as Mack stepped to the edge of the gravel driveway, offering them a smidgen of privacy. “I know,” Luke said. “But I’ll feel a whole lot better knowing you’re with Mack.”

She shoved her hands into her weathered jean pockets. “And how do you think I feel?”

“Protected?” he offered with a charming smile.

She rolled her eyes. He was such a smart aleck. “More like a child who needs watching.”

“I know you can handle yourself, but Lauren . . . You have no idea how dangerous she is. Please just hang with Mack for an hour.”

“Seeing as I have no car, it doesn’t look like I have much say in the matter.”

“Mack’s great. You’ll like him, I promise. He’s a Caps fan.”

At least the man had good taste in hockey teams. With a bracing exhale, she turned to glance in Mack’s direction and heard Luke pulling away before she could turn back around.