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Chapter Twenty-seven
Sloan had no idea whether it was the burnt hamburgers everyone jokingly consumed, or Anya’s instant acceptance of Alia; the child was now sleeping in her father’s arms still clutching the fancy necklace. Or because Alia had kicked off her shoes and joined them as if she belonged. But the day had become a success.
Sloan had motioned Faisal over, the Amans’ nine-year-old son, and introduced him to Kean. Hoping that the boys would be pals, he’d encouraged Kean to get his swimsuit on and play with the other kids in the pool.
Faisal, a little seal in the water, a gregarious kid who loved to tease his sister and the other little girls, would be the perfect friend for the shy boy who’d hovered near him since he and his mom had arrived.
However, the next time Sloan looked, instead of being with the rest of the kids, Kean was sitting happily near Roy, who was in his glory. Roy’s manner of calm knowledge, his way of teaching lessons without anyone even aware they were being taught had turned Sloan’s childhood into a wonderful experience.
Comfortable now about the kid, whose big eyes had almost unmanned him, Sloan checked out the laughter coming from the group around the patio. Chatting with the rest of the females, Alia was sipping a Mai Tai while her feet were tucked under her in one of his new garden chairs. Her dress had slid up and her tanned legs, curled in that way women had when they wanted to be comfy yet ladylike, drew his eye.
Until… he caught her watching him. Then his cheeks grew hot, and not from the heat of the barbecue.
Well, damn…
Quickly, he skimmed the rest of the yard, where, just that morning, Roy had performed his usual miracle as the main gardener. His eyes strayed from one colorful, tropical plant to another in the newly trimmed gardens; a perfect backdrop to where his neighbors were enjoying their day. Everyone looked relaxed, exactly the way they’d planned.
He sauntered over to the patio and crouched next to Alia. His move brought a lull to the conversation which suited him perfectly. “You and Kean are welcome to stay with me for tonight. Tomorrow I’ll call the lawyers. If you are my sister—”
“I am.”
“Which I have no reason to doubt, since I never knew my mother, you can stay as long as you want.”
“Thank you, Sloan. I really appreciate you taking us in. I have a lot of personal stuff to share with you about your mother.”
“Fine. We have time. I’ll get your suitcases.” He got up and went to fetch the forgotten luggage that Les and Kean had left by the entrance to the back yard. Les jumped up to help, as did Don, and they hauled them into the smallish back bedroom he’d designated for his two visitors.
Les waited until they were out of earshot and talked low. “You didn’t tell us your new partner was a bloody princess. I never thought I’d see an FBI’er who looked like her. She could be a movie star, for fuck’s sake.”
Don piped up. “She’s a sweetheart, Les. Give her a chance.”
Les eyeballed Don, his attitude changing slightly. “I already came to the same conclusion on my own, Special Agent Asshole.” He turned away from Don’s grin and looked at Sloan. “As per your instructions, or should I call them like they are: your orders. I watched for the cab, but when I first saw her I gotta tell you, I figured it was a frickin’ joke.”
Sloan held up both hands. “Hey, I didn’t know she’d come dressed for a night in Vegas, for crissakes. For a guy who likes the ladies, you’re being rather asinine.”
“Am not.”
“Are so.”
“Hey, who you calling an arsehole?”
“Cut it out, you two.” Don broke into their typical nonsense. “At least she’s broken the ice. They all like her, especially Janna and Sam.”
Les became serious. “There’s one thing that kinda worried me, could be a game changer. Figured you should know.”
Both Don and Sloan stiffened, acknowledging the change of tone in Les’s voice.
“After the taxi took off, I saw a car pull in across the street. A blond chick with huge hair seemed very interested in the house and your new sister.”
“What the fuck? She has someone tailing her? Is that what you’re saying?”
“All I’m saying is… yeah! I guess that’s what I’m saying.”
