“You sure about this?” Ida asked, looking up at me with admiration and fondness, but also a bit of worry etched into her eyes.
I sighed, then smiled. “I am. You deserve it.” I’d taken the papers I needed her to sign over to Linda’s house and after telling Ida she needed to read everything, I’d begun making coffee for me and Linda. Pete was working on a secret case that had Linda worrying, which, in turn, had me scared shitless. If she was worried, then it couldn’t be good.
“Okay,” Ida smiled, signing her name where needed and handing me back the papers. “Thank you.” She stood from her chair and hugged me. “I really appreciate it.”
“Of course. That money is rightfully yours. And after selling the companies, I have more than I could ever need. Or use.”
“I still appreciate it.”
Linda joined us in the kitchen. “I smell coffee.”
I laughed. “Just brewed some, figured you needed it.”
“I do; I really do. Thank you, Jackson.”
“Long night?” I asked, sipping my coffee as Linda poured herself a cup.
“Yes, and sadly not over yet. I need to get back on it later today.” I found, to my surprise, that Linda worked with Pete. Something Pete had let slip one night. I knew they weren’t able to tell me anything, but it calmed me a little knowing Linda knew exactly what Pete was up to, even if her worry was troubling.
“Can I come?” Ida asked, and I all but spit my coffee out.
“Of course,” Linda replied, shocking me even further.
“No way!” I argued. “She’s sixteen!”
Linda just shrugged. “Pete was sixteen when he started out.”
“But… But, what would the FBI need my sixteen-year-old sister for?” It made no sense!
“Some people are gifted, and they need more people like us, and that includes Ida.”
I was saved by Pete coming in through the front door. “Hey!” he called out in greeting.
“Hey!” We called back, letting him know where we were.
Pete was smiling brightly as he came into the room. “That smile can only mean one thing,” Linda said, smiling too.
“Case is done!” Pete cheered. “Finally!”
I felt relieved all the way to my freaking toes. Pete had worked so much these past four weeks that I’d hardly seen him. And with Mike home again it made privacy that much harder to get. Did I have blue balls? Definitely. Did Pete know? 100%. I selfishly hoped he was as desperate as I was to get him naked. It had been a month since I sucked him off and nothing else had happened between us. Ida staying over and being too afraid to sleep alone had meant zero sexy times. Then she asked to stay at Linda’s just when Pete got buried in this particular case. Oh, and to make matters worse, just as Ida went to live at Linda’s, guess who waited for us at the apartment? Mike.Cockblocking Fucker. So, Pete returned home and slept there while working his case, stating it was easier anyway because he might need to work nights too.
I was a needy bastard and was just on the point of breaking down. What Bren had said about Pete being my anchor was 100% true. I’d slept horribly without Pete there, and Mike had been no help whatsoever. He was still getting over Vera and blasted those sappy love songs on repeat from his room, reminding me over and over again how badly I missed Pete.
“You should celebrate,” Linda bumped into my side playfully. “Go out on a date or something. God knows you both need it.”
From cockblocking best friend to… What was the opposite of cockblocking? Well, whatever it was, Linda was right. However weird that sounded.
“I love that idea,” Pete beamed. “I missed your handsome face.” I had no idea how to respond to that, so I just pecked him quickly on the lips, knowing full PDA wasn’t something either of us wanted in front of his momandmy sister.
“Me too,” I said, smiling down at Pete. “Lunch date? I just need to finish this,” I said, gesturing to my coffee.
“Sounds perfect. I’ll just shower and change.” Then Pete was rushing up the stairs. I turned to face Linda, who wore a smug smile as she sipped her coffee.
“You’re trying to butter me up so you can steal Ida and take her to work, aren’t you?” I narrowed my eyes at her.
Her smile widened. “Who, me? Never. But now that you mention it. Ida, please shower and change into some jeans. The house we’re going to is old and dusty. Uh, and wear sturdy shoes.” Ida hurried up the stairs, leaving just me and Linda in the kitchen.
“You promise she’ll be safe?” I knew Linda wouldn’t take her if it was dangerous, but the big brother in me couldn’t help asking.
