His cousin shrugged. “I’ve done a little freelancing for the boys in blue over the years.”
Nick’s eyes narrowed. “My mom. My cousin. Was my whole family seeing you behind my back?” he complained.
Weber held up his hands. “Hey, man. I only go to your dad’s poker games once a month. And I haven’t seen your sister since last week when I took Esmeralda for mani pedis. I can’t help it if your entire family likes me better.”
Nick glanced down at Weber’s hands just to make sure he was kidding about the manicure thing, then flicked him off.
Riley looked at him in surprise. “You really do have a niece named Esmeralda?”
“I wouldn’t lie about that, Thorn,” he said with a wink.
“I don’t want to rain on anyone’s baby-making parade, but this is a top priority,” Mr. All Business cut in. Nick decided he needed to limit Riley’s time with Weber before the guy turned her back into a workaholic with an allergy to fun.
“I heard that,” Josie called menacingly from upstairs.
Weber flinched. “We’ll see ourselves out. Do you have a back door down here? One that doesn’t funnel us past your angry wife?”
Brian pointed them toward a door.
Nick squeezed Riley’s hand. “I’ll meet you at the car. I need a sec with Brian.”
She nodded, waved to his cousin, and left.
“How’s the ramp construction coming?” Brian asked. “Can’t wait to see the new digs.”
“The newtemporarydigs,” Nick corrected. “The ramp is in its ninth rebuild. I’m giving them one more chance, and then I’m hiring it out. And, trust me, you can wait.”
His cousin grinned. “As you can see, Josie and I have no problem working from home.”
“Yeah, I got that.”
“So. Got a problem with me freelancing, cuz?” Brian asked, looking like he didn’t particularly care. Nick got no respect.
“No. But I do like the idea of you being involved so you can help keep eyes on Riley.”
“You worried?”
Nick shrugged. “I don’t like her being wrapped up in another case after the way the last one went down.”
Brian nodded. “Can’t say I blame you. Howisthe extra hole in your ass these days?”
His surgical scar had healed into the shape of a perfect heart.
“It’s fine. Everything’s fine.” At least that’s what he kept telling himself, hoping that sooner or later the panic he felt every time he didn’t know exactly where Riley was would fade. “But I don’t want her anywhere near trouble again. So if you see Weber or Riley or anyone putting her in a situation that could go south, I wanna know about it.”
“You got it, cuz.”
Nick nodded. “Good. Now, go impregnate your wife before she stabs someone.”
15
7:04 p.m., Saturday, August 15
“Does this show too much boob?”
Nick whipped around so fast Riley worried he’d given himself whiplash. But then whiplash would mean a trip to urgent care and missing Santiago Family Dinner.Gee. Darn.
There was a beat of silence as his gaze traveled from her heeled sandals to her smokey eyes—thank you, Ulta eye shadow palette. Then he carefully put his beer down on the coffee table, turned off the TV, and headed toward her.
