“Shut up, asshole.” Greg—I’d know that voice anywhere. I look up when Axel slams his plate into the sink and gives a hard look to the open doorway.
It is the soft giggling after Greg’s voice that has me snapping my head up and staring right along with him. Dee? What is she doing here?
Dee pushes through first and immediately rushes over to wrap her slim arms around me. “You okay?”
“I will be. I just want to leave.”
“Soon, Iz. You have to trust these guys. I know that won’t be easy but they know what they’re doing,” she whispers in my ear.
“How are you even here? Didn’t Greg take you home last night?”
She pulls back and looks away, but not before I catch the blush that dances across her skin. What the hell is that about?
“You two done with your female shit? We need to talk.”
I look up to Axel’s stormy green eyes and frown. “Remember this little tea party was your idea. Don’t get a stick up your ass because you got your demands answered.”
The group behind me lets out a few manly grunts, either in humor or shock that I would snap at the bear. I look over at this testosterone-driven group, avoiding Greg’s face but not missing the small upturn of his lips. Coop and Beck are doing their best to not laugh while Locke looks like he has better things to do, but I don’t miss the mirth dancing in his dark eyes.
“Shut up, Izzy. This isn’t a fucking game. Locke, you find out where the ex is?”
“Yeah, California, business convention or some shit. The chippie secretary told me he left out Wednesday afternoon with his new girlfriend. Doesn’t seem to have a care in the world.”
“What?” I ask, “Really, he can’t sign the divorce papers but he can keep his bed warm?” No one answers me, but then again, an answer isn’t really needed.
“Coop, background check back?” Axel continues.
“Clean. Few parking tickets but nothing serious. Looks like he had some issues with fighting in high school but wasn’t anything past college. Credit card debt sitting at a nice 65K.” He looks over at me with sympathy before continuing. “Escorts, there was some small gambling, but most of it is racked up in escorts and some local strip joints.”
That throws me for a loop. As much of an asshole Brandon was, he was always there and always controlling. How did I not even know about this side of him?
“Beck, anything?” Axel asks, his tone harsher than before.
“Not much. Talked to a few people who will do more digging for me locally. If it’s there, I will find it.”
What? “What are you talking about?” I direct my question to Beck, figuring my luck for an answer would be better with him.
“Nothing, sugar. Nothing for you to worry about.” He has a smile on his face, but it isn’t masking the seriousness in his posture.
“Ah, no. This is my life and I don’t want to be kept in the dark. Do not expect me to be okay with you just brushing me off.” My temper is starting to rise, and even though I know these men mean well, I can’t stand not knowing and not having just a little control.
“Izzy, look at me,” Axel says. “Trust me to take care of this and not burden you with the unnecessary issues. I promise not to keep important information from you.”
“NO, Axel. You want me to just let you play this white knight role with no issues? What the fuck ever. Too late for that shit. The only reason I’m here right now is because YOU wouldn’t take me home last night. I’m not stupid, and I recognize that you are the best to figure out this situation, but I won’t go at it blind. Every damn step, I want to know everything or I will go at it alone.” I’m right up in his space, jamming my finger in his chest with as much strength as I can throw into that small jab.
Rubbing his chest and stepping away, he says, “Jesus Christ, you are a pain in my ass. Beck is checking with some local cops to see what they know about Brandon. Nothing for you to worry about. Pulling a few favors and asking some locals to keep an eye on his goings.”
“And what are you expecting to find?” I ask, not sure I like where this is going.
“Not sure yet. With the money and the women, my guess would be drugs or at least something like that. I want every play I have in my hands before I go chat with this fucker.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Why would you go talk to him?”
Dee reaches over and grabs my hand. For the first time since this conversation started, I remember she is there.
“You want a divorce and you want him to leave you alone, right?” he asks.
“I think that would be pretty obvious.”
“Well, I talk and get you your divorce and also ensure he leaves you alone. Pretty simple.”