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“Lincoln, this is a surprise.” What an understatement, but what else could she say to the guy?
“I wanted to see where you worked, maybe get a chance to talk to you before Seth turns up.” Lincoln glanced at Nitro and back to her. “I’m guessing he’s been called?”
“You’d be right.” No point in lying, he’d find out soon enough. She gestured toward a couple of tables against the far wall, away from the rest of the customers. “Why don’t we sit there?” Harper headed toward the table and sat down.
Lincoln’s gaze swept over Jinx, who had moved to the counter before he joined Harper. “How long have we got?”
“Probably ten minutes if you’re lucky.” She studied him from across the table. “You can’t think Seth will take your visit well.”
“I’m thinking he’ll be all kinds of pissed.” Lincoln’s mouth twisted in a wry slant. “But at least I’ll get to see him.” His eyes flashed with a sadness that squeezed Harper’s chest.
She chose her words with care. “Your turning up Friday was a huge shock for him. He needs a little time.”
“I understand that, but I’ve been waiting seventeen years, Harper.” Hearing him say her name was a reminder that Lincoln knew at least some facts about her, whereas he was essentially unknown to her. That was…unsettling. Lincoln sighed. “I’m not a bad guy. I’m just the younger brother who lost Seth as a kid and is now trying to get to know him.”
“I understand.” And she did. “What happened was tragic, and not your fault.” When Harper thought of the horrible grandmother, she wanted to slap the woman, yell at her for separating two kids who desperately needed each other.
“So you’re not going to try to block me?” Lincoln’s voice was guarded, but the faint layer of hope forced her gaze to flick up to his.
“I want what’s best for Seth, and I’ll respect his wishes. Getting to know you could be” healing, traumatic, cathartic “a positive step if handled right. But you’re going to have to be patient, or he’ll never let you in.”
“I’m trained as a sniper, Harper. I can outwait anyone.”
The mention of this man’s professional skills reminded her she needed to tread carefully for more than one reason. She hardened her voice and stared right into his eyes. “Seth’s no fool, Lincoln. And neither are his brothers. If they find out you had anything to do with the attacks on him and his family, you’ll find yourself at a disadvantage.”
Far from cowered, the younger brother grinned. “I’m glad to see Seth’s got someone like you defending him.”
“He has a few of us taking his back,” a deep voice said close by.
Harper looked up to see Dillon standing a few feet away. His inscrutable gaze fixed on Lincoln. It was kind of unnerving, seeing him not giving away anything, not angry or outwardly concerned. She noted he must be a formidable opponent in business negotiations.
A short, blonde woman stood behind him, looking decidedly uncomfortable as she glanced around.
“Dillon Justice.” Lincoln said, more to himself, as he stood.
Oh, Lordy.
“That’s right.” Dillon glanced at Harper. “Rebecca and I were already on our way here for a late lunch. Seth called. He’ll be here any second.”
Time for her to defuse the situation.
She stood and stepped toward Dillon. “Great to have you and”—she paused and smiled at the woman standing a step behind Dillon— “Rebecca here for lunch. Please take a seat and I’ll make sure you’re served right away.”
Dillon’s face relaxed a fraction, but his eyes shone with determination. “We’ll hang with you until Seth arrives.” He turned slightly and gently asked Rebecca as he took her hand, “You okay with that, honey?”
“Sure.” The blonde nodded as her gaze landed on Harper. Her smile was encouraging, even supportive, which was nice, considering she must be wondering what the hell was going on.
Harper’s curiosity was piqued. Dillon was here nearly every morning, and sometimes came in for lunch with others, but never with a woman alone. And whatever was going on seemed in no way platonic.
“I’m okay on my own, Dillon,” Harper assured him. And she was. Lincoln hadn’t made her feel uneasy. It was more Seth’s impending reaction to Lincoln’s visit she worried over.
Dillon nodded but didn’t move an inch. “No doubt you are, Harper, but we’ll hang here anyway.”
“I’m not a threat to her, Justice,” Lincoln said quietly, which given his physical build and the way he held himself, seemed to make a mockery of his claim.
Dillon proved he wasn’t in the least intimidated. “You’re out of line turning up at the cafe, Harris.”
Justice. Harris. Men and their use of surnames, like some masculine power move.
