“Ooooooh, Mr. Grizz. That’s a no-no word. You’re gonna have to do an act of kindness to pay that one off,” Cady said, still marching.
I peeled the cat off me, glaring at it as Aspen opened the door. She stepped back, motioning Lawson in. “Welcome to the zoo.”
His eyes flicked to me and then to the beast in my hands. “Is that a one-eyed cat?”
“It’s a demon from the fiery pits of hell.” I set Pirate down, and she ran down the hall.
“That’s another one, Mr. Grizz. Be careful, or you’re gonna get extra chores,” Cady warned.
My brother chuckled. “You gotta keep him in line, Cady.”
She let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m trying. It’s not easy.”
Lawson pressed his lips together to keep from laughing outright.
Aspen shut the door. “Is everything okay?”
Lawson turned to her. “I need to borrow Roan for a minute about a case. Not yours,” he assured her.
My skin prickled as I saw something pass across Lawson’s expression. Something ominous.
“Oh, of course.” Aspen motioned to Cady. “Come on, Katydid. Let’s pick up your room while they talk.”
Lawson turned, glancing at Aspen again. “I heard from an Evan Kemp in Jackson.”
She stilled in the hallway. “He’s the police officer who helped me get a new identity.”
“Seems like a good cop,” Lawson said. “He wanted to make sure you were okay. That we were looking out for you.”
A soft smile spread across her face, and a hit of jealousy landed in my gut. “He would. I’ll text him and let him know I’m all right. He doesn’t have my new number.”
Lawson nodded. “He’s going to be my point of contact at the Jackson PD, so I’ll keep him up to date.”
“Thanks, Law.” Aspen placed a hand on Cady’s back and guided her forward.
“Aw, man. I always miss the good stuff,” Cady grumbled as she followed Aspen down the hall.
Lawson chuckled. “That kid is hilarious.”
I nodded, my lips twitching. “She is.”
He studied me for a moment. “Are you…smiling?”
I instantly wiped the grin from my mouth. “Shut up.”
Lawson slapped me on the shoulder. “Happy for you, brother.”
I scowled at him.
“Unfortunately, I’m about to steal a little of that happiness.”
My entire body went on alert. “What?”
Lawson shifted in place. “Just got a call. Body was discovered. Human this time. And the death wasn’t accidental.”
30
ASPEN
I picked up a ridiculous number of stuffed animals scattered across the floor as Cady chattered away. But my focus was on the men in the living room. It was as if it’d hit me for the first time that even though Roan worked for Fish and Wildlife, he was still a law enforcement officer. He carried a gun. He could be hurt.
“What do you think, Mama?” Cady asked, breaking into my spiraling thoughts.
“Sorry, Katydid. Can you say that again?”
“I’m gonna be a ballerina on the weekends and a game warder during the week.”
My mouth curved. “You mean a game warden?”
She threw her hands out wide. “That’s what I said.”
A knock sounded on her door, and I quickly opened it. Roan filled the space, his expression stormy.
“What happened?” I whispered.
A muscle popped in his jaw. “Someone was killed. Might be tied to a series of animal deaths.” Roan pitched his voice low so Cady couldn’t hear.
I sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, God.”
“I need to go to the crime scene.”
“Of course.”
“The girls and Holt are coming over to hang with you until I get back,” Roan said.
“They don’t need to do that,” I argued.
“Please.” Roan slipped his hand beneath my hair and squeezed the back of my neck. “I won’t be able to focus if I know you’re here alone.”
And he needed that right now.
“Okay,” I said softly.
He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “Be back as soon as I can.”
My throat tightened. “Please, be safe.”
“Always,” he assured me.
“Where ya going, Mr. Grizz? Gotta help another deer?” Cady asked.
“Not tonight, Tiny Dancer. Gotta help Lawson with something.”
She nodded as if that made all the sense in the world. “You’re a good brudder.”
Something passed over Roan’s expression—pain or guilt, I wasn’t sure. He ignored her statement and instead said, “Take care of your mama.”
“I always do,” Cady shot back.
We followed Roan to the door just as my friends piled onto the porch.
Grae held up a bottle of wine and pointed it at me. “You are in big trouble.”
I winced.
Wren shoved Grae. “Don’t freak her out.” She strode toward me and wrapped me in a tight hug, even with her pregnant belly between us. “I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I whispered.
She just squeezed me harder. “You don’t have anything to apologize for.”
Wren released me, and my gaze immediately went to Maddie. She was the person I was closest with. I’d never forgive myself if I hurt her.
Maddie moved quickly to me and pulled me into another hug. “I knew it was bad. I just didn’t know how bad. I hate that you’ve been in this alone.”
My eyes burned. “I wasn’t, though. I had all of you.”
“If you make me cry…” Grae warned.
“Oh, crap,” Holt muttered. “I don’t know if I’m cut out for this estrogen fest.”
Wren smacked her fiancé. “You cried the last time we watched Little Women.”
“Whatever,” he muttered, his gaze cutting to me. “The alarm components for your house should arrive in the next couple of days. We’ll get it installed ASAP.”
My brows pulled together. “What do you mean?”
Holt grimaced. “Roan didn’t tell you that he asked me to order an alarm system?”
“No, he conveniently forgot,” I said, pinning Roan with a stare.
He just shrugged. “You needed one.”
“Well, I’m guessing I can’t afford whatever fancy-A one Holt just ordered.”
“It’s a friend’s company,” Holt interjected. “He gives them to me at cost, and Roan and I work for bakery treats.”
I just scowled at Roan. “We will be talking about this later.”
Grae let out a low whistle. “Someone’s in trouble.”
“Who?” Cady asked. “Who?”
Grae bent to Cady and stage-whispered, “Roan.”
Her eyes went wide. “Uh-oh, Mr. Grizz. You gonna get grounded?”
Everyone laughed.
Roan just shook his head. “Lawson and I have to go. You guys all set?”
Holt jerked his head in a nod. “I got ‘em covered.”
“Thanks,” Roan said. His gaze cut to me, and I saw so much promise in those blue depths. Then, he was gone.
As the door shut, Grae turned to us. “We need some epic girl talk.” She glanced at her brother. “Could you play with Cady for a little bit?”
Cady grinned. “We could play tea party, Mr. Holt. It’s really fun. I make the best tea!”
Holt winced and glanced at his fiancée. “You owe me for this. Favors for a week.”
“What kinda favors?” Cady asked.
Grae snorted. “Real special ones I don’t want to know anything about.”
Maddie smirked, and Cady just looked confused.
“Come on,” Holt said. “Fix me some of this tea.”
Cady squealed and ran down the hall, Holt striding after her.