“I saw the marks. She claims she tripped over a cat, but I don’t believe her.”
“Prince,” Jamie’s shoulders relaxed as he laughed.
“Excuse me?”
“The cat’s name is Prince. She told Emily, he tripped her earlier today.”
“Just because this Finn guy didn’t hit her, doesn’t mean he’s not a threat.” I wasn’t ready to let it go.
“I’ll look into it. If she needs protection, she’ll get it.” He rested his arms on his desk and clasped his hands. “Like I’ve said before, Ashley’s family.”
I bit my tongue and nodded. “Yes, sir.” I saw him shake his head as I turned to leave.
Back in my office, which I’d eventually share with Matt, if I didn’t get fired before he started, I sat at my mostly empty desk and opened my laptop. Glancing at Matt’s desk while it booted up, I sighed. My desk didn’t look much different from his. My SSI logo coffee mug was in a different location, and my laptop was open, but other than that, they were identical.
That’ll change soon enough. My desk would eventually be covered with files and pens and such once they’d assigned me more jobs.
I continued my research into Ashley York. If I were lucky, I’d find more information on Finn and pay him a little visit. If I spoke to him off the clock, I wouldn’t need permission from any Sheppard. One way or another, Finn would know it’d be in his best interest to leave Ashley alone.
I’d done just enough earlier to learn about her current situation and find her address, which wasn’t hard. Ashley had posted on social media that she’d moved in with her grandmother in Weatherford. For a woman who had friends in the PI and protection business, she posted stuff on social media that made it easy to stalk her.
Like I was.
Fuck!
Changing my mind about talking to Finn without her knowledge, I slammed my laptop shut.I won’t be that guy.
Chapter 11
Ashley
When Em invited me to Wednesday night dinner, I didn’t hesitate to accept. Gran ate early, so I had plenty of time to clean before heading out.
“Come in,” Jack greeted me at Emily’s door. Jack answering wasn’t unusual. He’d lived here for almost two years before he and Meg moved into their house. The closeness between the brothers made me wish I had a big brother or sister. Someone I’d known my whole life and could share the best news with and trust with my worst secrets.
Then I remembered what it was like for Em with a protective, interfering big brother and amended my wish to having only sisters.Who am I kidding?I was greedy and wanted both. A brother to protect me and a sister to scheme with.
Hearing Emily laugh, I thought, I have Em.She’d been around my whole life and was my sister from another mother.
If I wanted a protective big brother, all I had to do was ask. I’d have my pick from the SSI guys.
“Hey Jack. Where’s Meg?” I handed him the twelve-pack of beer I’d brought.
“Thanks. She’s in the kitchen with Em. Jamie’s manning the grill.”
This was why I wanted to stay in Weatherford. Hanging out with Emily and Meg, our group growing to include Blake and Cate, was something I’d missed living in Dallas. I’d been traveling back and forth more frequently, choosing to spend time in Weatherford instead of hanging out in bars.
I wanted to spend more time with my friends, whose friendship meant everything to me. And I liked seeing the guys, too. It’d been a long-standing joke that I wanted a protective, supportive, hot guy for myself. But I didn’t think I’d find him.
I’d spent my adult life playing the field and had failed at every real relationship I’d tried. I crashed and burned with Nathan, and apparently Finn would continue to haunt me.
“Ashley!” Meg greeted me with a squeal and a hug. Her small baby bump was noticeable between us. When she pulled away, she asked, “Did Prince really cause that?” As expected, I had a bruise around the minor cut just below my eye. I hadn’t bothered with makeup to cover it up.
I laughed. There were no secrets in Weatherford.
Which means they’d probably heard about what happened with Finn.
“Little bugger tripped me, and I smacked my face into a door.”
