Page 82 of Ancient Obsession

Dave shifted his attention back to Roman. “I’m glad you’re here, I am, but you need to shut down your natural instinct to interfere and try to sow doubt.”

Roman’s eyes went wide and his expression slack. “What? That’s not what I’m doing.”

“It’s what you always do, and I will not permit you to do it just days before my wedding. Is that clear?”

“All I wanted to do was make sure⁠—”

“Did I make myself clear?” Dave put an icy edge into his tone.

Roman sank back in his seat, eyes half closed and mouth a thin line. He gave a single nod before turning away and taking a drink from his beer.

The door to the parking lot opened, and a big man entered. Dave’s whole body went cold. He pushed to his feet so abruptly the legs of his chair skittered across the floor. His brothers stopped mid-argument and turned to follow his gaze.

Detective Carter stood by the door. He wore a suit coat and pants with a white dress shirt unbuttoned at the top, and no tie.

“What the fuck?” Dave rounded the table.

“Whoa there, big fella.” Lucia grabbed his arm and brought him to a stop. “We don’t need you getting arrested, too.”

Cody was beside him, jaw thrust out, body still. “Who is that? Is he that fucking detective?”

“Yeah,” Dave said. “Way out of his fucking jurisdiction.”

Lucia pointed between them both. “You two stay right fucking here. Got it? I will talk with him.”

“Oh, shit.” Oliver came up on Dave’s other side. “What’s he doing here?”

Carter spotted Oliver and started forward, turning side to side to make his way through the crowd.

“All of you stay here,” Lucia said. “I’ll handle this.”

She crossed the bar, planting her feet in front of Carter. Dave couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he appreciated the way Lucia widened her stance and held her ground. After a minute or two of conversation, Lucia gestured for Oliver to approach.

Dave followed. When Cody tried to join them, Dave placed a hand on his chest and gave him a gentle push back. “It’s okay. Just stay here.”

He felt the rumble of Cody’s growl beneath his palm.

“You’ve been here all day?” Carter was asking Oliver.

“Well, not all day,” Oliver said. “We got here about seven this evening. Why?”

“Do you have an alibi for earlier today and last night?”

“Yeah, he does.” Dave stood behind Oliver, hands tight on shoulders. “He was with me. We’ve been together all day for the last two days.”

Carter’s stare was hard. “You’ll sign a statement to that effect?”

“Absolutely.”

“What’s this about?” Oliver asked. “I’m out on bail, and I’m in my own home town. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

Carter blew out a breath and rested his hands on his hips. His suit coat shifted, displaying the badge clipped to his belt and the butt of his gun inside a shoulder holster. Dave noticed the tables closest to them go quiet.

“I can attest to both being present since seven this evening,” Lucia said. “And I’ve spoken with Oliver several times over the last two days.”

“Not a long drive to Glenmont though, is it?” Carter focused on Dave. “You’ve been with him non-stop the last two days?”

“I have. I’m off work while we prepare for our wedding Saturday. I haven’t left his side.” Dave waved a hand behind him, indicating the group in the bar. “Care to have a beer on us?”