Ourdad.
Braxton looked at me as if making sure that I meant what I said and I nodded my head. He stepped to the side to allow Paxton to enter.
Once inside, Paxton turned to Braxton and stuck out his hand. “I’m not here to cause any harm or problems. I do want to know about these threats now though.” He and Braxton shook hands. “Thanks for allowing me in your home, I know it wasn’t an ideal time, but I have to fly out tomorrow on another search and rescue job.”
My heart sank thinking he was here and would be gone tomorrow. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. It didn’t leave much time.
Paxton turned my way and we stared at each other for a beat before he slowly walked toward me. I felt Bodie’s arms that were still wrapped around me tighten a fraction in response as he got closer.
Wanting to soothe him as much as he had me, I rubbed my palms up and down his forearms. I didn’t want Bodie upset but secretly loved how protective he was of me.
But there was so much I needed to know and it seemed like I may only have a few hours to do that.
When Paxton stopped in front of me, I sucked in a breath. He really was the spitting image of my dad.
“You look just like our father,” I whispered.
The man in front of me, eyes widened, clearly caught off guard at the statement. His hair, the color of his eyes, and his build reminded me of my dad. My heart lurched with sorrow. God, I missed him and my mom so much.
“Will you tell me about him?” Paxton asked, his tone almost pleading.
I realized he had a lot that he wanted to know too.
And time was running out.
ChapterTwenty-Six
BODIE
I didn’t givea rat's ass if this guy was her brother.
Until he proved himself to Gemma and everyone else, I was watching him like a hawk.
When he walked toward my girl, my body tensed and my hold on her tightened. I had to remind myself to relax because Gemma was a grown woman and I could tell that, while she was struggling, she also wanted answers.
We’d just been briefed yesterday on a conference call with Braxton about what he’d found out thanks to the help of some digging from people we were all connected to, as well as some information Landon and a lawyer friend of his had found.
It was good to have the right people as friends and in our pockets the way we did.
I can’t say I was thrilled about him barging in and demanding to speak to Gemma, but it did go a long way to settle my nerves knowing who this Paxton guy knew.
Like us, he had some friends in high places who had sung his praise.
But he was going to have to show all of us he could be trusted and what kind of man he was.
Especially when the woman I loved could get hurt in the whole process.
Or get her heart broken.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
GEMMA
It wasa lot to take in.
I was having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I had a brother. He may have only been my half-brother but that made no difference to me.
We sat at the table in the kitchen area to talk and while we covered a lot, the mystery of the threat against me wasn’t solved. The guys spoke to Paxton and told him about Brett.
