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Rolex hissed at one, then the other. Good kitty.
Conrad looked incredible in a fitted T-shirt and worn jeans, his tattooed forearms on display. She wanted to study every image in great detail but kept her gaze up. No reason to make him feel like a piece of meat yet.
Beau wore a T-shirt and shorts, as if he’d come straight from the gym. Muscles abounded.
“Don’t mind me. I’ll be installing an alarm system from wall to wall, floor to ceiling,” Beau said. Then he nodded and strode inside, his delicious pine-and-soap scent a perfect complement to the aroma wafting from the kitchen. A duffel bag hung from his hand.
“Not unless I get a bill first,” she called. “Which you can give me at dinner. Which you are eating with us, so don’t even consider saying no.” She motioned Conrad inside. “You told him about Dr. Garcia, I take it?”
“I did not. I informed him of the gold. As he is your security guard, I believed he needed to be in the know. I made a judgment call. The real question is, why didn’t you tell him?”
Because she owed Beau so much already, their friendship was lopsided. He did everything, and she did nothing. She wasn’t used to having a close ally nearby and feared she might drive him away. Fiona didn’t count because Fiona was family. For the bulk of Jane’s twenty-six years, she’d spent more time with the dead than the living. “I won’t take advantage of our relationship.”
“When it involves safety, scales cease to matter,” Conrad told her as he entered the house. “Why is there a scale between you and Beau in the first place?” He backed her up, shutting and locking the door without ever looking away. “Until I catch the killer, let Beau help you every way he can. Okay?”
He eased back, resting against the entrance. Giving her a choice: stay put or move closer. She moved closer. Just a little bit. Just to inhale all that cedar and spice.
Then his words registered. “I know why Beau decided he liked you,” she grumbled. “What flipped the switch from animal-kingdom rules to bro code for you?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Do you really want to discuss it?” His gaze dropped to her lips before flipping up. “Or would you rather hear my thoughts about you instead?”
Their gazes held—and sizzled. She lost her breath.
“I don’t need you to tell me. I can guess,” she rasped. “Too curious. Too superstitious about curses. And fun.” He had smiled at her sometimes. “Am I right? I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Sorry, but I deem my impressions of you classified until the case closes.” Did she detect a note of affection? Dark eyes playful, he reached around her to untie the apron, and suddenly she felt defenseless, as if she’d lost her shield. “The food smells amazing. Let’s eat.”
Seriously? “You’re gonna end the conversation like that?”
He winked and walked on. Dang him. Jane darted in front of him, leading the way to the dining room, where Beau was setting up shop on the yellow-laminate counter that divided the kitchen from the dining room. Why wasn’t Rolex watching him, hissing with displeasure?
Hey, where was her precious, most treasured companion? After the Incident, she was taking no chances. Gearing up to panic, she scanned—oh, thank goodness. Air seeped from her lungs, tense muscles easing. Rolex had returned to perch on the table. He glared at both men as if he’d already plotted their murders in eighteen different ways. How almost gentle of him. He must be acclimating to having guests.
“Sit, sit,” she said, motioning the boys to the chairs. She rushed to the china cabinet to collect another plate, then brought out the first dish. Then the next. And the next. Just the way Grandma Lily used to serve when they entertained.
Proper manners are always in style, my darling.
“I’ve seen nothing like this,” Conrad rasped, his eyes wide as he took in the assortment.
Uh-oh. Was “this” a good thing or bad thing? Beau bore a similar expression of astonishment.
“Are you expecting other guests?” her friend asked, his brow wrinkled.
“Nope. Just us. Why?” She claimed the chair between the two men and thrilled as they both filled their plates. “Oh, make sure to save room for dessert. I baked your favorite pie.”
Conrad canted his head at her. His official detective power pose. He’d decided there was a mystery to be solved. “I’m curious. What is my favorite pie?”
“I don’t know,” she quipped. “We’ll find out together.”
A megawatt smile bloomed, lighting his entire face. Jane felt her cheeks flush and her heart race.
Beau cleared his throat and adjusted his collar. “I get that you guys are having a moment, but I’m starved. Mind if I dive in?” He rubbed his hands together.
Jane laughed and motioned to the food. “Please do.” As she filled her plate, Conrad noticed the bruises on her hand and stiffened.
