Deadly Silence (Blood Brothers #1)(55)

CHAPTER


19


Zara couldn’t believe it. Julie was dead. Really dead. The words kept going through her head all day, and she couldn’t get them to stop. It was unbelievable and so unfair.

Her heart hurt, and her stomach ached. Her temples pounded until her eyes stung. Julie had been a good friend, and somebody had brutally stabbed her. How frightened the poor woman must’ve been before death.

Zara had hung around while the detective questioned Jay Pentley for a few hours, handled the press for another hour or so, and then finally sat down with a game plan for dealing with the publicity. Brock had steadfastly sat by his client’s side, once in a while cautioning Jay not to answer, but for the most part letting the detective take the lead. Ryker and Zara had watched and listened before finally heading to Zara’s home after darkness had fallen. They’d grabbed burgers and eaten on the way, taking several home to Greg, who’d been dropped off earlier by Denver.

Zara batted away tears as she changed clothes in her bedroom while Ryker got Greg settled into the spare room. During the horrible day, she’d forgotten all about poor Greg. He’d descended on the burgers like a normal teenager.

The door opened, and Ryker entered, shutting it behind himself. “That kid ate all the leftover burgers.”

Zara finished tugging down her T-shirt and turned to sit on the bed, her entire body exhausted. “Growing boy and all that.”

Ryker studied her for a moment and then crossed the room to crouch between her knees, his warm hands flexing on her thighs. His gaze was steady and concerned. “I’m sorry about your friend.”

A tear escaped her furious blinking. “Who would kill her like that?”

His eyes darkened. “Best bet is the husband. He would’ve lost half of his assets in the divorce, and that guy’s an egomaniac. Anybody else would’ve thrown you to the wolves and had me arrested for hitting him. He’s too embarrassed by us both—it’s all ego.”

“Maybe, but I don’t see him taking a chance like that. Although he did like to hit Julie. The idea that she was really leaving him would’ve pissed him off.” Zara set her hands over Ryker’s. “Thank you for being with me today during all of that. I felt better having you at my back.”

He nodded, his gaze sober. “I’m planning to stay right here with you, baby.”

She warmed and leaned toward him. “Thank you.”

He rubbed reassuring circles on her legs. “We need to figure out who killed Julie before you become an official suspect. It’s your best way to keep your job and freedom.”

“Okay.” It was almost surreal. She’d never kill anybody, and it was nice that Ryker hadn’t even once considered that she had.

“Tomorrow we’re going to run through everything you know about Julie and Jay.” Ryker’s hands tightened. “You don’t talk to the police or Brock without me, okay? And you never talk to the media.”

She nodded. “I understand. But you have to keep working on Greg’s case, too.” She frowned. “What exactly is his case, anyway? He mentioned losing his brothers and needing you to find them. What’s that all about?”

Ryker shook his head. “Client confidentiality. If he wants to share his story with you, he will. Not that he’s told me everything, either.”

Zara frowned. “Do we have a duty to notify the authorities since he’s a minor?”

“Probably, but as two adults who were subjected to the system as kids, do we want to do that to him? I’d rather help him a different way.”

“I just wondered if we had a duty. No way would I give that kid up to the system.” Her urge to protect Greg caught her off guard, although she’d been a lost kid once, too. Not everybody had a Grams waiting with open arms to make the world right again. Maybe Zara could make the world a good place for Greg, or at least help to do so.

“So Greg stays with us for now.” Ryker rubbed his hands down her legs to caress along the arch of her foot.

Pure pleasure ran up her calf. “That feels good.” Was Ryker trying to distract her? “Is Greg dangerous?”

“Undoubtedly.” Ryker dug both thumbs into the arch. “But that kid would cut off his right arm before harming you. You’re probably one of the few nice people he’s ever met, and you’re more than likely the only one to make him breakfast, if you ask me. He’s safe for you.”

Her heart broke even more for poor Greg. “You read people so well.” She’d always wanted that talent but was often totally off the mark with others. “Must be nice.”

“Sometimes it sucks, but it does help with the business.” Ryker shrugged. “Besides, I see a little of myself in that kid. He’s ready to strike out at a moment’s notice, but you give him one ounce of kindness and he’ll die for you.”

She studied his eyes, more blue than green today, as he revealed more about himself. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that Ryker would jump in front of a train to save her. “Your childhood hurt.”

“Yeah.” He gave a lopsided smile.

Her heart warmed even while it ached for the angry kid he must’ve been. “I’m sorry.” Could she help him heal? Show him that life could be better than good?

He shrugged. “Wasn’t so bad when I met up with Heath and Denver. Then at least I had a family.”