Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga #10)(65)

“Of course,” Talon said. “We had assumed you both would.”

“We’re just talking about what happened with Dale,” Ryan said. “How we can find out who this guy is who spooked him.”

I nodded and sat down in one of the leather chairs. Marj sat next to me.

“We’re going to contact Mills and Johnson,” Ryan continued. “They seem to be able to ferret out anything.”

I nodded again. Trevor Mills and Johnny Johnson had been integral in helping the Steels solve the mystery of Talon’s abduction. They were high-paid mercenary PIs. The cops called them. Joe had already suggested getting them to check my house for surveillance.

Oh, shit…

I looked over to Joe. He was deliberately not making eye contact with me.

I understood why. The last thing he and I needed was Mills and Johnson poking around. If they uncovered what Ted Morse allegedly had, Joe and I would have a lot to answer for.

Answers that wouldn’t make us look good.

We were innocent. We both knew that. We’d been little kids, for God’s sake.

But we weren’t nine anymore, and we’d been sitting on a secret for thirty years—a secret that could have outed my father long ago and saved so many, including Talon Steel, from physical, sexual, and emotional torment.

How had we forgotten? How had my father made us forget?

“Why not have the cops investigate?” I asked. “Why spend the money on PIs?”

“That’s what I’ve been saying,” Joe said, finally meeting my gaze. “My brothers won’t hear of it.”

“I agree with Tal and Ry,” Marj said. “Why trust the cops to find the guy when we know the best PIs out there?”

“It’s a lot of money,” I said, knowing the argument would fall on deaf ears. Since when did the Steels have to worry about money?

“It’s not your money, dude,” Ryan said. “Let us worry about that.”

I could say no more. I knew I’d lose this battle. Joe remained quiet, his lips pursed. He knew as well. Mills and Johnson would be on the case, and soon. If he continued to argue the point, his brothers would get suspicious.

We couldn’t have that. Not yet. Not until we knew exactly what we were dealing with.

I cleared my throat. “Have you thought about having this office swept for bugs?”

“Bugs?” Talon said. “Why?”

“I told you why. Because Ted Morse told me that the federal investigation was still open.”

“Why would they bug us?” Ryan asked. “We’re the victims. And our father is dead.”

“Actually,” Joe said, “I agree with Bryce. We can’t be too cautious. Not after everything that’s gone down. They got to Felicia, remember?”

“Yeah,” Ryan said. “And those three guys are all dead.”

“But if the investigation is still open,” I said, “there might be others. And if Dale truly thinks he saw someone he recognized, someone might still be out there. After all, you guys brought them down. Someone might have a bone to pick.”

Joe nodded slightly at me but said nothing. He and I knew well how to communicate without words. He wouldn’t back up my statement. It would look too obvious. But he agreed.

“Actually,” Marjorie piped in, “I think Bryce has a good point. If you’re hiring Mills and Johnson, what would it hurt to have them check all of our buildings and homes for hidden bugs?”

“You nervous about something, Sis?” Ryan asked.

“Well…yeah. Dale is totally spooked, and that has Jade and me spooked. We need to protect those little boys above all else.”

“Enough said,” Talon agreed. “You’re right, Bryce. We’ll have everything checked.”

I resisted the urge to sigh in relief. Joe gave me another of his unspoken “good job” looks.

I couldn’t take all the credit. Marjorie had backed me up. If their baby sister was spooked, the Steel brothers would act.

She’d never know how much she’d come to Joe’s and my aid. We needed to know if any of the Steel properties were bugged. We’d already discussed checking my house and cars. The house wasn’t a huge concern. Mom, Henry, and I would officially be moved out within a few days. But our cars? They needed to be swept.

Mills and Johnson could sweep for bugs better than anyone in the field. The fact remained, though… Once they’d eliminated any bugs, they’d start digging into our past again. I shuddered to think of what they might find. Those details that Joe and I had never known.

I’d talk to Joe and figure it out later. I listened with one ear as the conversation turned back to Dale’s purported stalker. Most of me was focused on the woman sitting next to me, the woman I wanted to drag off to bed and ravage more than I wanted my next breath of air.

Wouldn’t happen tonight. Melanie, Ruby, and Jade were in the family room talking and drinking nonalcoholic wine. And of course her three big and burly brothers were also here.

Not a problem, as I was interrupted by my phone vibrating against my thigh. I looked quickly.

A text from my mom.

Come home now. Need to talk.





“What? Is Henry all right?” I demanded as I walked into our home.

I’d tried calling my mother as I drove home frantically, but she didn’t answer.