“Dean, what’s your connection to Miss Marsh, exactly?”His gaze bounced between us. “Are you here for moral support? She and I had some strong words the night in question, so I wouldn’t blame her for being nervous about coming here alone and begging for my assistance.” He smirked.
Keira made a low sound in her throat. “Begging? I’d be happy to show you?—”
“I’m her boyfriend,” I interrupted.
Keira started coughing.
I slid my arm fully around her shoulders. “You okay, babe?”
“Oh yeah,” she wheezed. “Just great.Babe.” Her glare told me I was going to pay for this later.
But too bad. I wanted to leave Phelan with no doubt about my loyalties, even if I was pretending to kiss up to him.
As far as he was concerned, Keira wasmine.
“So your boyfriend’s a fan,” Phelan said to Keira, sounding more amused than suspicious. “What a coincidence.”
“Sure is.”
“I suppose you didn’t know who I was when we first met.” Phelan held up his hands in mock modesty. “But we all make mistakes. Let’s sit down. Natasha!” He raised his voice. “Get our guests something to drink. Anyone hungry? My chef baked up some buttermilk biscuits for lunch. There are leftovers.”
“That sounds downright homey,” Keira said sweetly, “but I’ll pass. What about you,babe?”
Her eyes warned me that if I took one of those biscuits, she might make me choke on it.
“Just some iced tea,” I said.
We sat on one of the ornate couches. The leather creaked under our weight. Phelan perched across from us in a high-backed chair, settling into it like he was sitting on a throne.Natasha reappeared with a crystal pitcher of iced tea and poured three glasses with exaggerated care.
“Seems like you’re creating a real empire,” I said. “Hart County’s lucky to have you.”
Keira snorted, then covered it by taking a gulp of tea.
Phelan either didn’t notice or chose to ignore her. “Thank you. I needed space, and this property has it. The house is coming along. The original structure had good bones, but it needed vision, you know? I’m having tennis courts built outside.” He gestured vaguely toward the windows. “And I’m expanding the wine cellar. You have to think big if you want to achieve big things.”
I nodded along. “That’s what you always say on your show.”
“Exactly right.” He leaned back, warming to his topic. “I’m helping my followers reclaim their power. It’s about taking back what’s rightfully ours from the domineering women who want to control us. And you know what? I really love helping people. That’s why I do this. The money’s great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s about the mission.”
Keira started coughing again, her shoulders shaking.
“Yousureyou’re okay?” I asked, patting her back.
She nodded, eyes watering. “Actually, I need to use the bathroom. If you don’t mind, Mr. Phelan.”
Oh hell, what was she up to?
He waved a hand. “Natasha will show you where it is.”
I caught her eye as she followed Natasha out of the room. But Keira’s expression was neutral.
Once they were gone, Phelan leaned forward slightly. “I wish I could do something to help Deputy Marsh with her situation. But I didn’t see anything suspicious that night at the bar.”
“You’re sure?”
“Completely.” He paused, his expression turning knowing. “She’s got a fiery temper, doesn’t she? Quite a mouth on her. Probably pisses people off wherever she goes.”
“She does have a mind of her own.”
