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He swiped the glasses with their DNA, bagged, and tagged them after they left. He had a few more stops to make.
Bennett wasn’t leaving anything to chance. He made sure Zoey’s and his paths weren’t going to cross while he made his way through the visits with her brothers. His next stop was the hospital where he made sure he bumped into Logan. He grabbed a quick coffee with him, with the excuse that he couldn’t chat long because he was visiting a sick friend. The shorter the visit the better, because Logan was as dry and solemn as they came. Bennett understood why. The man was one of the top neurosurgeons in the country. He dealt with life-and-death situations every day. Although their career choices were as different as night and day, he remembered what it was like when he was in the Marines. He needed to be on guard all the time. Knowing if he let his guard down for one second, it could cost someone their life, or his own.
Bennett had seen too many people lose their lives when distracted. There were times it couldn’t be avoided, but usually it was someone back home they couldn’t get out of their mind. He knew love was a powerful thing, but it made a person vulnerable, weak. He’d been able to avoid such distractions all his life. Zoey wouldn’t change his opinion either. No matter what it was about her, he wanted—needed—to stay clearheaded. If not, he’d slip up and someone would surely figure out why he really was in Boston.
The next stop was one he honestly looked forward to. He’d been in the house several times off the job. He looked at his watch, and it was just after five. Normally a businessman would still be in the office, but Shaun was different. He was the brother Bennett had the most respect for. When he’d first been hired by Shaun to investigate Morgan, he’d thought Shaun was just another controlling asshole. But as time went on, Bennett found he was way off the mark. Shaun was the one Henderson who seemed to have his priorities straight. Even now, pulling up to their house reminded him of that.
He saw the lights on and Shaun’s car parked in the driveway. It was going to be dinner soon, and he knew if he went in now, Morgan wouldn’t let him leave without joining them. This was the one place he’d wished he waited and brought Zoey with him. Although he was here on business, he couldn’t help but make it personal as well.
Bennett reached in the back seat and pulled out a Lego box. He never stopped in without bringing Tyler the latest one. The first time he’d brought one, Morgan didn’t know if Tyler would like it. He was one special kid. Tyler took the box and within an hour had the entire naval destroyer constructed.
Morgan answered the door and greeted him with a warm hug. “Shaun, looks like we have company for dinner.”
Bennett had visited their home several times since he’d worked for Shaun. This was his first unannounced drop by. From Morgan’s greeting, it appeared she’d been expecting one.
Shaun was still dressed in his suit as he also came to the door. “No Zoey?”
“Not this time. I was just in the neighborhood and thought I would drop off something for Tyler.” He pulled the Lego battleship from the bag.
Morgan grinned. “He’s going to love it. Tyler, come here and see what Bennett brought you.”
Tyler came to the door with his iPad in hand. When he saw Bennett, he immediately looked for what he was holding. “Hope you like battleships.”
“Battleships! Battleships!” Tyler handed the iPad to Morgan and took the box from Bennett. He walked away again muttering, “Battleships. Battleships.”
“Tyler, say thank you,” Morgan instructed.
“Thank you,” Tyler said as he disappeared around the corner.
“You’re welcome,” Bennett said even though he knew Tyler wasn’t listening.
“Bennett, you still have so much to learn about Tyler and his autism. It’s not going to be easy to get him to sit still at the dinner table now. Come on in. We were just about to eat.” Morgan ushered him toward the dining room. “It’s nice having you close by. Normally, you’re working all the time. About time you take a break and enjoy life a little.”
Oh, yeah. A break. If only you knew.
“Work slow?” Shaun arched a brow of concern. “I can make some calls if you need work.”
“Don’t tell me you want me out of Zoey’s life so bad that you’ll find me work?”
Shaun shook his head. “Not at all. I was surprised to see you, I’ll admit. You’re not the type of person I thought she’d choose.”
“Shaun, that’s a horrible thing to say,” Morgan snapped at Shaun.
He raised his hands. “Hey, didn’t mean to offend you.”
“No offense taken.”
“It’s just Zoey’s a—”
“Amazing woman who could have any man she wanted.” Bennett knew that already. That is why he was shocked she even agreed to spend time with him outside of work. No doubt there was a sexual attraction. It was possible she was killing time until this job was done, and she could go and be with whoever she really wanted. I don’t have anything to offer a person like Zoey.
“She’s amazing, but after all these years you’re the only one she’s brought to meet us. Zoey has always kept her... friends distant,” Shaun added.
“Shaun Henderson, if you keep this up you’re not getting any dinner at all. Your sister is a sweet woman.”
“I know that. I just want to make sure Bennett knows it too,” Shaun said as he met Bennett’s eyes.
“Don’t worry, Shaun. I know exactly who she is.” That was not true at all. He’d been trying to figure her out since the moment they met two years ago. She was so complex. The woman had more layers to her than anyone he’d ever met. And he realized something at that moment: he wanted to know every one of them.
