“I’m the boss, son. I set my own schedule.” Uncle Will moved closer and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m not here to yell at you for pulling me away from a crime scene that isn’t going anywhere, Aaron. Just tell me what’s going on, okay?”
“Jimmy MacGregor drove around the block a bunch of times just before you got here,” Aaron said. “Slowed down every time when he was passing the house, like he was trying to look in.”
Uncle Will’s expression hardened. “I need to talk to Jimmy MacGregor.”
“To arrest him for shooting Ian?”
Uncle Will raised his eyebrows. “News travels fast in Spruce Creek, doesn’t it?”
“I heard it from Quinn.” Aaron’s stomach clenched. “He’s worried Jimmy might come after Lennox, because…”
Uncle Will hummed. “I’ve got eyes in my head, kid. I know why.”
Aaron held his gaze. “He’s also worried Jimmy might come after me.”
Will’s brows drew together. “Afteryou?”
“Me and Quinn,” Aaron said, his voice rasping. “We’re sleeping together.”
He almost flinched at the look of shock he saw in Uncle Will’s face.
Uncle Will caught himself. “No, Aaron. It ain’t that, okay? If this is you coming out to me…well, I feel like we ought to be having two different conversations here, because coming out? I’m happy for you, kid, if you’re happy.” His mouth turned down. “MacGregor, though?Jesus. I mean, I know pickings must be slim in a place like this, but Jesus!”
“Yeah.” Aaron dragged his fingers through his hair, guilt twisting in his stomach when he realized he’d sworn to keep Quinn’s secret, even if it meant people thinking the worst of both of them.
“And you think Jimmy knows?” Uncle Will asked. “Which puts you in his sights if he’s gone off the deep end? And considering it looks like he shot his own father, I think we can guarantee he’s gone off the deep end.”
“It’s hard to keep a secret in a town this small,” Aaron said. “Maybe someone saw Quinn leaving here or something, or parking close by.”
Uncle Will hummed, and then tightened his grip on Aaron’s shoulder. Dug his fingers in. “I’ve got your back, okay, Aaron? I’ve got everyone out looking for Jimmy already. I won’t let him get near you, or Charlie’s boy either. You hear me?”
“Yeah,” Aaron said, warm relief coursing through him. “I hear you, Uncle Will.”
“Good.” Will smiled and released him. “Now how about we get into the kitchen and grab our burritos before Lennox eats them all?”
Aaron laughed and nodded. “Okay. Sounds like a good idea.”
They headed for the kitchen.
Chapter 15
Aunt Karen stepped out of the house with her purse in her hands, looking all business. Her eyes were red-rimmed as she climbed into the passenger’s seat.
Quinn turned to her and reached out, awkwardly hugging her close in the cramped space. She trembled and her breathing hitched a few times, but she kept the sobs at bay.
When he pulled back and looked at her, she nodded solemnly, then wiped under her eyes. She wasn’t wearing makeup, so either she hadn’t had time to put any on or she’d already ruined it once.
“Where to?” Quinn asked, driving back out of the yard.
“They’re flying him to Vegas as we speak,” she said, attempting a normal tone without quite succeeding.
“Alright.” Quinn turned on the radio and left it on low, and started the long drive to Las Vegas.
They were barely outside of Spruce Creek when Karen’s shoulders shook enough that Quinn noticed.
“Hey, I’m not going to lie and say it’s gonna be okay, but let’s not borrow trouble, okay?” He reached for her hand and squeezed it.
She was quiet for a while, silent tears rolling down her cheeks. “I’m not sure I’m ready yet,” she whispered.
