Deadly Silence (Blood Brothers #1)(47)

“No.” She tapped his waist with his phone to calm him. “Your phone has been buzzing like crazy, which is why I brought it down to you. Let that boy go.” She eyed the kid. Brown eyes, shaggy hair, lost expression. Oh, he’d felt a lot older when he’d been choking her, but even then, it had seemed he was trying to keep from hurting her. “Who are you?”

“I’m a client. Name is Greg,” the kid said politely. “Sorry about the neck.”

“I’m fine. Sorry I elbowed you in the stomach.” She glanced down at the kid’s narrow frame. “Are you hungry?” Perhaps if she got food into everybody, they’d all calm down and explain what was going on.

“Always.” He shrugged and didn’t seem to notice that Ryker still had him pinned to the wall.

“All right.” Zara smacked Ryker harder. “How about we all go up to Ryker’s apartment, and I make us a nice breakfast. Then we can figure out what’s going on and what we should do next. I’m happy to help one of Ryker’s clients.” The kid looked beyond lost, and he needed help.

So she’d help.

Everyone looked toward Ryker. “We are not going to have a nice breakfast, Zara,” he ground out.

“I’d like a nice breakfast,” Greg said, flashing her a smile.

Heath cleared his throat from just a couple of feet away, his gaze thoughtful on Greg. “I wouldn’t mind eating something homemade.”

“Me either,” Denver chimed in, also watching Greg, his brow furrowed.

Greg turned his smile on Ryker. “It’s time to let me go, man.”

“Or?” Ryker asked.

Greg’s lips firmed. “Or I knee you in the balls, take out your left knee, destroy your right ankle, break ribs eleven and twelve, and then knock you out with a punch to the temple. Then I’ll go eat eggs with your lady.”

Ryker shook his head. “Much as I’d like to show you why that wouldn’t work, I’d have to hurt you, and I’d rather not do that. Yet.” He pushed off from the kid and gently straightened Greg’s shirt.

Greg blinked and then slowly lowered his arms, his gaze on Zara. “I totally think you could do better than him.”

Warmth bloomed through Zara, and she grinned. The night had passed surreal and careened right into bizarre. “That’s awfully kind of you to say.” She held out her arm, and the kid hesitated before sliding his through hers, leaving Ryker behind them. “I don’t suppose you have anybody in mind?”

“Well, that attorney you work with is a nice guy, and he volunteers as a coach with a Little League softball team every spring. His sister has a kid who plays.” Greg switched arms with her so she had the railing on her other side, his hold hesitant and beyond gentle.

Surprise and unease invaded Zara’s stomach. “You really have investigated me.”

“Just a little. I had to know I could trust these guys before hiring them.” Greg slowed his steps so she could keep up. “Don’t worry. I didn’t look into anything really personal.”

Zara stumbled. “Um, thanks?”

“Sure thing.” They reached Ryker’s apartment, and Greg pushed open the door, walking inside first. He lifted his head and listened, doing a quick scan of the place. “Come on in.”

Okay. That was odd, and she’d seen Ryker do the same thing several times with a little more finesse. “What were you looking for, sweetie?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Any threats. I figure when a pretty lady offers to cook a guy breakfast, he should make sure the area is safe, you know?”

What kind of upbringing did this kid have to be looking for threats before being able to relax enough to eat scrambled eggs?

She made her way through the empty room to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, which was surprisingly stocked. “How about cheesy eggs, bacon, sausage, and some biscuits and gravy?” Turning around, she took in Greg’s widened eyes.

He nodded and swallowed, looking like a hungry puppy.

Glancing past him, she bit back a grin at seeing Heath and Denver nodding as well, their expressions just as full of hope as Greg’s.

Ryker, on the other hand, leaned against the wall, his arms already crossed and what could best be described as a scowl marring his rugged features.

“This might take me a little while.” She jerked her head at Greg. “Find some bowls and pans, would you?” Maybe if she gave him a couple of tasks, he’d relax. She began drawing food from the fridge to place on the smooth granite countertop.

Greg launched into motion and tore open cupboards. “There’s nothing here,” he whispered, sounding nearly heartbroken.

“I have cooking stuff. Be right back.” Denver turned on a heel and quickly disappeared out the door.

“Thank God,” Greg muttered.

Heath chuckled. “I told you he was nesting.”

Ryker cleared his throat. “Right now, Greg and Heath down to my office. We’ll work until Zara calls us for breakfast. I’ve seen her cook—it ain’t fast, but the end result is awesome.”

“How about you guys work here? I’d love to know what’s going on.” If the kid was in legal trouble, she could even help. She gave Greg her most encouraging smile.

Greg smiled back, but his eyes darkened at the same time. “I think we should go to the office.” He glanced longingly at the eggs. “We’ll hurry if you will.”