“And what conclusions did you come to?”
Leigh was vibrating with excitement and scooted to the edge of the sofa. “Well, it’s like this. We figure we’ve got a great cross-section of men. First you have Noah, rock and roll all the way, bad boy and tattooed. Then you have Anthony, tall, built, and my god, that man could be a supermodel. Then you add the company and money he has, superhot. Then there’s Jackson, the all-American boy next door, loyal, and can make you laugh. See, they’re all there.” Leigh waved her hand over to where the three of them stood together looking at a map.
Evie couldn’t disagree. They all were handsome, although her brother she saw as more of a pain in the ass than anything else. She looked over to where Lexi was sitting, keeping her distance from Anthony, but the more they were together, the more she loosened up.
Lexi noticed her watching and said, “Either I’m more tired than I realize or I’m seeing the same name everywhere.”
Evie got up and walked over to her. “Which ones?”
“This one. David Waters.”
Evie sat there and thought for a moment, someone tried to talk and she shushed them. She was trying to remember something. Snapping her fingers together she ran back over to where she’d been going through papers. Flipping through them, she found what she was looking for. Then she went on to another two, and sure enough there it was. “Here. He’s been on all of these flights. It can’t be a coincidence. Can it?”
Anthony walked over to her and gave her a hug. She caught Lexi staring at them and knew there would be questions later.
Everyone started searching their packets and ended up with three more.
Both Anthony and Noah got on the phone to their people asking them to search for anything on this David Waters. There was an excitement in the air. Maybe this was the break they needed.
Evie started pacing the room. Wanting answers, she went over to the laptop and started her own search, hoping that would help time go by faster. Anthony and Noah sat down at their laptops, checking to see if they had any new mail. When one of theirs finally dinged the room became hushed.
It was Anthony’s. Evie moved her chair closer so that she could see his screen better waiting for him to check it.
“That had better not be spam for male enhancement,” said Evelyne.
“Not to worry, ladies, it’s from my investigator.” He was silent as he read. Evie would have hit him if she wasn’t able to read with him.
When he got to the end he opened the attachment that had a copy of his passport picture. It was Jeremy.
*
They sent the Trio and Lexi off to bed while the rest of them went through the information. David Waters didn’t own much, or have any debt. In fact, there was only one thing he owned. A home in La Jolla.
Evie leaned back in her chair. “Well, we know where we are going next.”
Anthony looked at her. “There is no ‘we,’ it’s me. You stay here.”
“Like hell I am. We’re in this together.”
“Haven’t you been paying attention? It isn’t safe for you.”
“I can take care of myself. Listen here, buddy…”
“Time out,” Jackson said. “While I agree Evie should stay here…” He held her off as she jumped him. “Let me finish. You know there is no way she’ll stay here. Might as well take her with us so we can keep an eye on her.”
“Us? What you’re inviting yourself?” Evie snarled at him.
“Yes, I think the more men, the better.”
“I should go, too.” Noah said. “I’d love to get my hands on that bastard for what he did to Lexi.”
Evie walked over to him. Placing her hands on his face so that he’d look at her she said, “No, Noah. You have to stay here with Lexi. She’s yours now. Her and that little baby she’s carrying. You know she doesn’t need the extra stress of worrying about you. If it makes you feel better, I’ll kick him in the nuts a few times for you.”
He pulled her into a hug. “You’d better. I know you’re right, but it feels like I’m taking the easy way out.”
Jackson laughed. “Easy way? Buddy, you’re stuck here with a pregnant woman and the Trio. You are more screwed than we are.”
“Shit. You might be right. But you can’t go by yourselves. I think you should take someone who is trained in security with you.” Before Evie could argue, Noah stopped her. “You know it will make Lexi rest easier knowing someone will be with you.”
“Fine.”
“Why is it when women say fine it’s really a ‘fuck you’ or ‘asshole?’” Noah asked.
“Because it is. Okay, which brute is coming with us? What about that big scary one who never smiles and lurks around in the shadows?”
“I heard that,” said a voice from the other room.
“You were supposed to!” Evie shouted.
Shaking his head, Noah continued. “I’m thinking Kat would be the best.”