The Slow Burn (Moonlight and Motor Oil #2)(114)

This was something else entirely.

And since I didn’t have a penis or Gamble blood in my veins, I did not entirely understand it.

But I was beginning to understand Toby’s explanation of active and passive protection and the struggle to be passive when they wanted desperately to be active.

They could not walk in there and tear him apart.

And it was driving them crazy.

“Call me the minute you get back on the road,” Margot ordered in my ear after I shared we’d made it to the offices.

Her voice sounded stronger than it had in weeks.

“I will, Margot. Promise.”

“How’s Tobias?”

She was whispering even though Toby couldn’t hear her.

I turned and watched Toby throw his door open so hard it was a wonder it didn’t disconnect and fly across the parking lot.

“Not good,” I whispered back after he’d angled out and slammed it with such force the whole truck shook.

I did not even think of opening my own door. His head might explode.

“I gotta go,” I told her. “Call you as soon as we’re on the road. And by the way, I look awesome. Love you.”

“Love you too, Adeline.”

We disconnected just as Toby tore open my door.

I looked into his eyes. “I’m okay, baby.”

He said nothing. He just took my hand and helped me down.

He slammed my door after I cleared it, and his fingers around mine almost hurt as he forged us toward the doors to the office building. Though he did not walk fast. Wherever he was at in his head, he had a mind to me in a dress and heels.

He opened the door for me and I went from the warm Kentucky sun into the cool modulated air of a very nice foyer.

As I knew, since my sister had texted, Johnny and Izzy were there.

I then understood the dress.

Navy. Short sleeves. A sheer panel above her breasts. One above her knees. It fit her perfectly, was cute, smart and professional with a hint of sexy.

Totally Izzy.

It was the lipstick red of the soles of her shoes, the diamonds at her throat and ears and her huge engagement ring that was in your face.

Johnny was wearing a dark-blue suit, light-blue shirt, no tie.

He looked handsome.

Toby was wearing a black suit, smoke-gray shirt, no tie.

He looked hot.

The two brothers glowered at each other then Johnny moved to hit the button on the elevator.

Izzy gave big eyes to me.

I reached out and took her hand.

We held on.

Johnny returned and took his woman’s other hand then he reached out and clasped Toby around the back of the neck. Toby did the same thing to Johnny.

We were in a huddle.

It was sweet, cute and made me want to start laughing and burst out crying, both at the same time.

Man, I wished my mother could have seen that.

“You can back out or walk out, anytime,” Johnny rumbled.

“We’re fine, honey,” Izzy said softly.

Johnny scowled at her.

The elevator dinged.

We got in it.

Once we hit the attorney’s offices, it wasn’t lost on any of us our grandmother died with money. Martin, Sandberg and Deats were no slouches, my bosses had it going on. My reception desk and the area around it kicked ass. I loved working there, and not because there wasn’t a smock in sight.

But just the bouquet of fresh flowers that adorned the long thin table under the firm masthead in that reception area probably cost as much as all the flowers for Johnny and Izzy’s wedding.

After we shared we were there with the receptionist, it didn’t take long for an elegant, slim man to come out and tell us he was taking us back.

Thankfully, as he walked us back through more fresh flowers, glistening wood and glassed in offices, he stated, “We’re aware there’s been a long-standing estrangement between Mr. Aubrey and his daughters that was a result of Mr. Aubrey’s treatment of his wife who has passed.” Pause. “Truly sorry for your loss.” Pause. “We hope we’ve arranged things so this can go quickly, smoothly and as comfortably for you all as a situation like this can. To that end, Mr. Aubrey and his wife have been asked to arrive earlier and are here. They’ll be seated across the room from your party.”

I shot Iz a relieved look.

She gave it back.

The men still weren’t feeling it.

“They’ve also been asked not to approach you, unless you invite it,” the man finished.

“Obliged,” Johnny grunted.

Toby said nothing.

Ten more feet.

And it happened.

The windows to the conference room we’d be using were right at our sides.

I knew it was the room we’d be using because I looked that way.

And he was standing, tall, straight, much older.

So handsome.

Even now.

By his side was a slim, and like Sierra, willowy woman with shining brunette hair, apparently age-appropriate to him, which was a shocker, so she probably dyed that hair.

She was not in a power suit or a cute, sexy, professional dress that looked tailored for her.

She looked like a chic hippie in a pretty rosy-pink lace dress with a tiered skirt, dangly earrings and lots of necklaces and bracelets.

My mother would have worn that outfit.

If she could have afforded it.