“I’ll remember that one.”
Jared went to the copy machine, slid the paper in, and pushed three. “I want you to get hold of our contact in the Troy office. Have him pick this guy up for routine questioning. Or have his parole officer do it.”
“What are we questioning him about?”
“I want to know how well he knew George McIntosh, and if he’s been in this area at all in the last few weeks. Has he been to the florist? What kind of car he drives. Where he works. Does he like rats?”
“Sir?”
“What?”
“You want to call the contact? Seems like you got a lot of specific questions.” Harmon hadn’t moved a muscle since he walked into Jared’s office.
“Was your father a military man?”
“Marines, sir.”
Jared chuckled. “And you didn’t follow in his footsteps?”
“Did you follow yours?” Harmon’s eyes grew wide, but never broke contact. The kid did have some spunk. Jared had to give him that.
“Retired senator.”
Harmon smiled. “You’d make a good politician.”
Jared couldn’t stand it anymore, and let out a roar of laughter. “You’re okay, kid. Now just make those phone calls.”
“Sergeant Blake?” Harmon questioned as Jared made his way out to the hallway. “Does this have anything to do with what’s been happening to Ryan O’Connor?”
Jared stopped and turned; his heart raced wildly at the mention of her name. “What do you know about that?”
“I know about the rose.” Harmon stuttered a bit. “And I heard about what happened today at the hotel. She’s a really nice girl.”
“You know Ryan?” Jared stared at the kid, giving him a once-over. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-two. I’ve met her a few times.”
“Stay away from her, you got it?” He poked Frank in the chest. Damn kid didn’t flinch, which annoyed Jared even more. Not to mention that he’d poked rock-solid muscle. “You’re not her type.”
“Yes, sir. Understand, sir.”
Jared could’ve sworn the little bastard cracked a smile. “Get back to work.”
“Should I call you as soon as I find something?”
“Sure.” Jared stomped out of his office and down the hallway, wiggling his fingers. It had to be the stress of moving that had been affecting his usual good judgment. His parents hadn’t been thrilled when he’d decided to put the house on the market, but his sister Karen and her husband Tim hadn’t wanted to buy it. What other choice did he have?
Come hell or high water, he was taking this transfer.
Chapter Four
“Thanks for coming.” Ryan pulled back the tab on a Diet Coke and handed it to Penny, before grabbing another one for herself. “Want to take this in the family room?”
“God, I wish I could afford this place.” Penny ran her fingers across the almond colored granite countertops. “I would love to live here.”
Ryan gripped her soda can. She had known she’d have to move someday, she just thought it would be when she was ready. “Me, too. I asked Jared if he would consider being the bank so I could buy this place, but he didn’t go for it. Said something about he wasn’t that rich.”
“You could have ten kids, and this kitchen would still seem huge.” Penny opened a few cabinets. “There’s enough dishware in here to serve an army.” She took a big swig of her soda. “How big is this place, anyway?”
“Here.” Ryan grabbed the fact sheet and shoved it at Penny. “Five thousand square feet, five bedrooms, five and a half baths, and a partridge in a pear tree.”
“Testy.” Penny wrinkled her nose, and then headed down the short hallway toward the family room, which was really more of a great room housing two oversized sofas, two recliners, a loveseat and ottoman, and a large screen plasma television. Of course, one couldn’t disregard all the expensive artwork and decorations. She couldn’t help but wonder what Jared was going to do with all this stuff.
“I started looking for a new apartment.” Ryan flipped the switch and the light flickered, illuminating the soft creamy walls, accentuating the chocolate colored couches. “Not much out there.”
“But this sheet says there’s already a moneymaking tenant.”
Ryan snatched the listing. “It says the servants’ quarters have been converted to a carriage house which makes a great rental. And do you know what old man Foster gets for his little shack he rents out?” When she flopped onto the sofa, a pillow bounced to the floor.
“Can’t say that I do.” Penny joined her, tucking her feet under her butt.
“Fifteen hundred a month, and it’s nothing like the carriage house. Not even close. I can’t afford anything that high. Besides, I should move over to Bolton. It’s closer to work, and these roads get really nasty in the winter. But I’m going to sleep here tonight. With Jared.”
Penny coughed, then sputtered. “Did you just say what I think you said?” Penny wiped up the soda that had fizzed out of her mouth and landed in her lap. “Don’t say stuff like that when I’m drinking.”
“I’m serious, Pen. The man doesn’t know how to have a relationship and that suits me just fine. I’m not ready for a lifetime of love, just one freaking night. That’s all I’m asking for.” Ryan let out a slow breath, trying to keep her erratic heartbeat under control.
“You can’t handle it.” Penny snorted. “He’ll break your heart into tiny little pieces, and I doubt you’ll be able to recover. I think you need to stay the hell away from him.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Ryan muttered.
“You want me to lie to you? Tell you that I think you should go for it? Come on, Ry. I’ve known you since we were in preschool. You’ve had it bad for Jared since you knew how to say his name. Being with him in the biblical sense will only hurt you, and you know it.”
Wasn’t that the truth? But Ryan still wanted to know what it would be like to make love to him, no matter the cost. She’d get over it. Her brother’s first wife had run out on him for another man, and he’d survived. He’d found Marci, and now they were expecting their first baby. All was well in his world. So, she’d survive it, if she could get “it” to happen.
The kitchen door slammed shut. Ryan leaped to her feet and gasped. “Jared?”
His sexy drawl came from the kitchen. “Yep. Got your brother with me, too.”
“Great.” Ryan rolled her eyes. Just what she needed, her big brother. And knowing him, he’d demand she come and stay at his place, making up some story that Marci needed her help. Right. Dumbass brother.
“I’m going to go surprise Chuck.” Penny gave her a sisterly hug. “I got him all hot and bothered on the phone, so I guess I should go put the poor man out of his misery.”
“Are things going well?” Ryan asked.
“Well enough.” Penny lowered her chin. “Be careful, okay? I love you lots.”
“Yeah, yeah. Now get lost.” Ryan shoved Penny toward the kitchen. “And keep your trap shut on the way out. The last thing I need is you and your mouth.”
Penny dragged Ryan into the kitchen. “You love my mouth.” Penny squeezed Ryan’s cheeks together. “You’ve got such a face.” She smacked her lips against Ryan’s.
“Gross.” Ryan wiped her mouth. “Save it for the boyfriend.”
“God, I love a man in uniform.” Penny patted Jared’s arm. “See ya around.”
“Goodbye, Pen.” Ryan shook her head, watching Penny give a good hip walk to her car. That girl loved to put on a show. Chuck was in for a wicked night.
“That’s one interesting girl.” Jared laughed.
“Did you get stuff to fix my door?” Ryan asked, and then landed a quick kiss on her brother’s cheek.
“Didn’t have time; you can just crash here for now.” Jared ducked his head into the pantry and pulled out a cutting board and some seasonings. “Want a beer, Pat?”
“I think Ryan should come back to my place,” Pat said, his lips drawn into a tight line.
“She’s fine here.” Jared clunked the wooden board down on the table and removed his gun belt, setting it on the counter in what seemed like one swift movement.
Ryan bit her tongue and looked between the two men, who were acting as if she wasn’t even in the room. No point in adding fuel to the fire. They never listened to her anyway.
“Marci could use the help, and I’d feel better if Ryan were with me, under the circumstances.” Pat leaned against the counter, with his hands braced on either side. His face was tight and his blue eyes filled with determination. But not once did he glance her way.
Jared tilted his head and tapped his badge. “She’s safer with me.”
“I’m her brother.”
Ryan blinked. The gorilla chest pounding would begin at any moment. “Look, fellas. I think I’ve got this under control. I’m going down to the village to find myself some hot guy, go home with him, and have hot, wild sex. A package of condoms is all the protection I’ll need, so enjoy your steaks.”
“Ryan. That’s not funny.” Pat contorted his face even more, if that was possible. He had this look in his eyes, like he had when he used to scold her as a child.
“What bar?” Jared asked with a devilish twinkle in his eye.
“Don’t encourage her,” Pat said, taking a step toward Jared.
“Hey, if she’s going to pick up some guy, it might as well be me. I just want to know where she’s going so I can go too.” Jared winked.
“Get your things, Ryan, you’re coming home with me,” Pat said.
“Save the parenting for the new baby, big bro. I’m a grown-up.”
“She looks like a grown-up to me,” Jared said, checking her out.
His roaming eyes sent a hot shiver up her spine. “Oh, for crying out loud. I can’t believe the two of you have the balls to talk to each other like I’m not even in the room.”
Jared cocked his head and lifted a brow.
“Don’t say it.” She glared at him. “And don’t tell me what to do, either.” The only way to deal with a Neanderthal was to act like one.
“Ryan.” Jared’s fingers swept across the back of her neck, then squeezed gently. “I have plenty of room, and I think it would be safer if you stayed here. With me. A cop.”
Ryan swallowed as she stared into his intense blue-green eyes. His thumb still lingered on her neck, rubbing softly in small circles, sending signals to places that might make someone think the temperature had escalated to an all-time high. “Thanks. Now don’t let this go to your head, but I’d have to agree.”
Jared leaned over and brushed his lips across her temple. Her heart pounded so heavily, she thought it might thump right up her throat.
She took a deep breath and stepped away. “So, have you found out anything?”
“I’ve got a lead on a guy who was in prison with George, and I’ve got someone looking into it right now.”
“I’d feel better if you were looking into it,” Pat said, still scowling, but thankfully not fighting her on where she chose to stay. It was her choice after all.
Overprotective brothers could be a pain right in the petunia. “I’m sure he’s on top of it, Pat.” She grabbed the bag she’d left on the kitchen chair with some stuff she’d packed, in hopes of having to spend the night. “Do you care what room I take?” she asked Jared, tossing her hair in what had to be the worst attempt at being sexy.
“You can join me in mine,” Jared teased.
“Keep dreaming there, big fella.” She flung her bag over her shoulder, trying to act as if that would never happen when in reality that was exactly what she planned on doing. “Pat, you joining us for dinner?” Might as well be nice, even though she secretly hoped her dear sweet brother would take a hike, and soon.
“I’ve got to get back to the bar. My new manager isn’t all that wonderful,” Pat said behind a clenched jaw, seething in her direction.
Direct
hit. “Catch ya later.” Without looking back, she flew up the stairs and took the first bedroom on the right. Her brother would never learn that pushing her buttons would only make her push back. She dumped her bag on the blue comforter, then flung herself on the bed. Staring up at the ceiling, she began to devise her plan. She had nothing to lose. Even if the jerk turned her down, her humiliation wouldn’t last that long. Two weeks, to be exact.
* * * *
“Man, if looks could kill, I would have died five times by now.” Jared coughed, knowing he’d pushed the line. But hell, Pat was such an easy target, especially when it came to Ryan.
“I don’t like you flirting with my kid sister.”
“She’s not a kid.” Boy, didn’t Jared know it. He’d had a hard time sleeping last night because of ridiculous fantasies racing around inside his mind. If she kept this up, he knew exactly what would happen. Of course, part of him wanted it to happen, but he had to pull back. He cared for her, therefore he didn’t want to hurt her, and if he slept with her, well, that was the only possible outcome.
“She has some kind of hero worship going on with you, and then you encourage her.”
“We’re just friends with a long history. We’ve always been kind of flirty with each other. It’s nothing.” An electric pulse shot through his chest. It was more than nothing and he knew it.