Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers, #1)(68)

“My best guess is that our brother was distracted.” Nate’s face remained impassive, as usual. No emotion for so damn long. At least, none Matt could see. God help them all when he finally exploded. “I’ve traced Shane’s movements and hacked into the files of some of his old contacts. I’ve confirmed his theory that he bugged Josie’s house.”

“Why?” No way would Shane bug his wife’s house just because she was dating some construction worker. He’d be more likely to break down the front door and beat the guy to a pulp.

“My guess is that he discovered the other bugs and figured the commander was watching Josie. Knowing Shane, he wanted to trace the bugs back to the bastard.” Nate crunched a chip. “So, what’s our plan here?”

“First we figure out who’s after Josie while Shane gets his memory back. Quickly, considering we’re sitting ducks here. Then I assume he’ll try to send Josie to the compound with you while we deal with Jory’s killer.”

Nate visibly jumped. “He’s not keeping her, Mattie. He can’t.”

“I know. He’ll figure that out soon enough.” Matt kept his face expressionless. He steeled his shoulders. “You’re flying home to Montana tomorrow.”

Nathan tossed his file down. “I’m not leaving.”

Exactly what Matt expected. He hardened his face into true big brother mode. “Yes, you are. We don’t know how long it’ll take for Shane to get his memory back, and I sure as hell don’t need help with whoever’s after Josie. Go home and do your job.”

Shane loped barefoot into the room, yanking a T-shirt over his head, wearing ripped jeans. And a relaxed jaw. Bastard.

He glanced at Matt. “I need to fill in the blanks. Now.”

Matt nodded. “Let’s get down to business.”





Chapter 21

Early morning, Josie pinned her wet hair up, smoothing lip gloss on her face. Shane had retrieved clothes and toiletries from her house. Thank goodness. Though the isolation was beginning to bother her. She needed to get back to work. Now that might be a battle.

The thick socks masked her steps as she meandered down the hallway toward the smell of coffee.

At the living room, she stopped short.

Matt and Shane lounged on the couch reading files while Nathan stood near the door, a ball cap on his face and thick sunglasses over his eyes.

Josie’s heart began to pound. “Nice glasses.”

Nathan shrugged. “Yeah. Helps with the security cameras everywhere. Standard when I travel.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

Shane glanced up, a frown settling between his eyes. “Angel?”

Memories shot through her head in rapid succession. She took a step back, her wide-eyed gaze on Nathan. “It’s you.”

He cocked his head to the side. “What’s me?”

She breathed out. Hard. “In the coffee shop. Ball cap. Eyeglasses.” Her gaze slashed to Shane and then back again. “It’s you.” She knew he looked familiar. Rage and fear boiled into a lump in the pit of her stomach.

Shane unfolded to his feet, his gaze moving from Josie to Nathan and back again. “Honey, a lot of people have aviator glasses.”

Pure raw fury ripped through her so fast her breath heated. “Don’t lie to me. He was as big as you. Built like you.” She turned on Nathan. “It was you. The * in the coffee shop.”

Pain splashed ice over the fury. She rounded on Shane. “You didn’t save me. You set me up.” Two years ago. The scene where Shane had been her hero. When everything started. They’d planned the confrontation. No wonder the bully had left so easily without argument. The bully was Nathan.

He cut his eyes to Shane.

Josie leapt for the black gun on the table, flipping off the safety and backing away. She kept all three men in her sight. “The safety’s off this time, Matt.” Her voice trembled low with fury. Her hands shook.

He remained relaxed from his perch on the sofa. “You know, this is the second time you’ve held a gun on me this week, little sister.” He cleared his throat. “If one of these two tried that, I’d break their hands.”

“You’d try,” Shane and Nathan said in unison, gazes locked on her.

Matt tilted his head in acknowledgment. “Put the gun down, Josie. Let’s talk.”

The keys to her Toyota sat on the coffee table. “Throw me my keys, Matt.”

Shane stepped between the table and Josie. “Not going to happen. Now put down the gun before you really piss me off.”

She widened her stance, swinging her aim to the center of his chest. “So, genetically enhanced boy. Can you stop a bullet?”

“No.” Anger began to burn slate through his eyes. “Now, Josie.”

“It’s true, isn’t it? You set me up.”

“Yes.” His gaze remained on her eyes, not on the gun.

“The whole thing… meeting me, marrying me… you f*cking set me up.” Her grip tightened on the weapon.

“No.” He took a step toward her. “The meeting was a setup. The rest was real.”

“Bullshit.” She dropped her aim to his knee. Her own stupidity slapped her in the face. “Take another step, and you’ll limp for life, Shane. If that’s even your name.”