Into the Fury (BOSS, Inc. #1)(77)

The door to the other duplex swung open and an elderly lady dressed in turquoise Capri pants and a loose white cotton blouse shuffled out. She waved, setting her thin gray curls in motion.

“Welcome home,” she called out. “Kinda surprised to see you. I didn’t think you’d be comin’ back so soon.”

Val hurried up her neighbor’s walkway, then climbed the steps to the porch and gave the old woman a hug. “We weren’t supposed to be back, but the tour got canceled. Long story. Thanks so much, Mrs. Oakley, for taking care of Snoozie. I hope he wasn’t too much trouble.”

“Not a bit. But I think he’s been missing you. He wanders out in his yard and prowls around like he’s looking for you. He’ll be glad you’re back.”

The women chatted while the limo driver carried the luggage up to Val’s front door. Ethan tipped the man, then walked over to join the women.

Val turned to her neighbor. “Mrs. Oakley, this is Ethan Brodie. He’s my . . . he’s a friend.”

The older woman’s eyes took him in from top to bottom. “Well, aren’t you a big strappin’ fella. ’Bout time Valerie found herself a man.”

Val flushed and he felt a trickle of amusement. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Oakley.”

“You too, Ethan. You be good to our girl now, you hear?”

“I will, I promise.”

Val tugged him down the steps and over to her side of the duplex. She waved at her neighbor, who went back inside and closed her door. “She’s a sweet lady, but Mrs. O. will talk your ears off if you aren’t careful.”

But the lady thought Val needed a man and he was currently that man, so he kind of liked the old woman.

Ethan took Val’s keys and went inside to clear the house. Her big gray tom sauntered up to him and meowed. Ethan scooped him up and stroked his short gray fur, making him purr as he carried the cat back to the living room.

“Snoozie!” Val hurried over and took the big cat from his arms. “Mama’s sweet baby. I missed you so much.”

Ethan grinned. Damn, she was cute.

While Val carried the cat into the bedroom and started to unpack, Ethan got on the phone to his office. He spoke to Ian, bringing him up to speed on Byron Mahler’s recent demise, as well as the idea of revisiting the people in Delilah Larsen’s past. He talked to Luke, who was back in town after picking up his latest bail skip.

Once his calls were made, he set up his laptop. Basically, he was moving in with Val, a notion that should have made him run as far and as fast as he could. Instead, knowing Val was in the house, that they would be sharing a bed, he felt completely at ease.

He walked over to his suitcase. He didn’t have much to unpack. His tux would have to go to the cleaners. His underwear and socks, T-shirts, and jeans needed to be laundered. He had a feeling Val wouldn’t be thrilled if he asked to use her washing machine. She might feel he was getting too close, penning her in—exactly the way he should have been feeling.

Hell, there was something kind of intimate about it.

Ethan grinned and started walking toward her bedroom. Almost sex had gotten him this far. Maybe he needed to finish what he’d started in the limo. His groin tightened as he imagined her lying on her big king-size bed, imagined himself driving hard inside her.

With any luck, what he had in mind would convince her she was glad he was there.

Maybe even after they caught themselves a killer.





Meg had been putting it off. Now that she was home, she couldn’t wait any longer. “We need to talk, Dirk.” He’d checked the house, then made himself at home as only Dirk could do, rummaging around in her fridge, grabbing himself a beer and cranking off the cap, drinking half the bottle in a few long swallows.

She’d only recently purchased the newer home in Madison Park, but it was perfect for her and Charlie. With four bedrooms, a family room, and three and a half baths, there was plenty of room for a family. The best part was the large fenced backyard, a great place for Charlie to play.

Dirk ambled toward her. “You want to talk, then talk.” He upended the bottle and took another long swallow of beer.

Meg pulled in a slow breath. Just watching him made her wish he would carry her off to bed. He was the hottest guy she’d ever met. More than that, he was sweet and smart, and she was crazy about him.

Meg ignored the soft lump rising in her throat, her gaze still on Dirk. With his colorful tattoos, sexy mustache, and cocky grin, he looked completely out of place in her practical single-family house, where a little boy would soon be playing on the floor with his toys.

It was a tract house, roomy, more expensive than most because of its Madison Park location, fairly ordinary in design. But there was nothing the least bit ordinary about Dirk Reynolds.

“So . . . my mom and dad are coming over later tonight,” she said, forcing out the words. “They’re bringing Charlie home.”

He plopped down on the sofa. “Good. I’ll finally get a chance to meet him.” He looked up. “And your folks.”

Meg shook her head. Just the way he sat there, one of his muscled arms resting on the back of the sofa, made her yearn for him. Made her heart hurt at the thought of losing him.

“As much as I appreciate everything you’ve done to protect and keep me safe, I can’t introduce you. My parents would never approve of me dating a man like you, not when I have a child to think of.”