AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But the chief’s expression faltered as soon as he opened the door. “You look like shit, Lila. Did you get any sleep at all last night?”
“I got a few hours.”
“A few hours isn’t enough.”
“I’m trying to catch a mole, Connell.”
He led her toward the kitchen. “I appreciate the fact that you’re taking this seriously, but the mole will still be here tomorrow.”
“Will your children?”
He pursed his lips. “Take Kenna’s spot this morning. Mòr wanted you to sit next to her.”
“Why?”
“I’m supposed to say it’s because she wants to talk about the compound, but I suspect she just wants a bit of gossip.”
“Gossip?”
“Blair’s her baby sister. You know it goes.”
Kenna entered the room and settled a few pitchers of juice and milk onto the table. “You look like—”
“Yes, I know.”
“When we asked you to look into things, we didn’t want you to run yourself down. You look worse than Nico.”
Kenna’s words were cut short when Blair entered the dining room. Dixon trudged after her, then wordlessly gathered her books when she stopped at the table. He put them on the steering wheel bench, just like Connell had done the day before, and slipped into a place beside her.
Lila sat next to him in Kenna’s spot. “Out all night?” she whispered.
Dixon shrugged.
“Did you have fun?”
He smiled.
“What did you two get up to?”
He showed her his notepad under the table, a notepad completely filled with his block handwriting, all except for one blank page at the very back. Lila opened her mouth in shock. It’d been new when they left New Bristol. It usually took him a week to burn through one.
Putting it away, Dixon poked her in the ribs. He jutted his chin toward the kitchen.
Lila followed his gaze.
Nico stepped in the room, holding a platter of tortillas, his gray uniform pressed and his boots shined. He’d shaved again, too. “The mystery woman has returned. I wondered if I’d see you here.”
Connell raised a brow. “You knew you’d see her. You asked me.”
Nico turned his gaze in mock offense. “I only wanted to cook a lovely a breakfast for the oracle and my dear, sweet chief. Must you insult me by claiming I have ulterior motives?”
“I apologize, Lila,” Connell replied. “I sold you out for migas. In my defense, his cooking is amazing. Can you forgive me?”
Nico put down the platter and returned with another, piping hot and full of migas. He watched her like a purring housecat as she spooned out a portion.
Mòr heaped some refried beans to her plate. “Could I have a few moments of your time after breakfast?”
“Certainly,” Lila replied, taking a tortilla.
