Chapter 5
GO AWAY!
Heather squinted at the graffiti scribbled on the wall of the entryway to the mill building. Pointing to a strange symbol, she looked at Scott.
“What the heck does this mean?” The hairs on the back of herneck stood up.
Glancing around, Scott’s face tightened. “That’s a symbol the Northside Dragons use to mark their territory.”
“The Northside Dragons? We aren’t in Hartford, Bridgeport, or even New Haven. This is an old mill town. What would a gang be doing around here?” Her voice rose in pitch.Stay in control. Don’t show fear.
Shrugging, Scott unlocked the door and stepped into the large open room that now housed stacks of lumber and piles of debris. Seemed work had finally started. Her eyes were drawn to another wall decorated with more writing. A shiver ran through her.
“I didn’t think they were, but some gangs have been known to expand their territory if they think it’s profitable. We’re only twenty minutes outside of Hartford.” He held up his phone and snapped a few pictures then got busy texting.
“Are you sending that to the police? We can’t afford to have gangs around here messing with our project, or extorting money from the companies we put in here. Totally badfor business.”
Sticking his phone back in his pocket, he strolled through the cavernous room. “Do you still needhelp walking?”
Glaring at him, she shook her head. She’d put sneakers on for this trip, not wanting Scott to have to help her. A tiny part of her resisted and still wanted him to. Wanted his hands on her hips, on her thighs, on her—Stop. No hands on her anywhere.No fun.That little voice still niggled inside, but she pushed it back. Focus on business.
Following behind him, she took inventory of what had already been accomplished since she’d been here a week ago. Mostly demolition it seemed. As they wandered through the building, Scott filled her in on the reconstruction project.
When his phone pinged, he read the screen then frowned. Moving closer, she touched his arm. The tingling she always got with him near surged through her skin.
“Is that the police? Are they coming to help with this?”
Scott’s eyes rolled toward her from where he was still scanning his messages. “I’m not on texting terms with the police. But I do have someone coming to help figure this out.”
A frown still marred his face.
“What’s wrong? You’re scowling. Or is it because ofthe vandalism?”
Taking a deep breath, he slid his phone back in his pocket. “It’s information about some things Jack is implementing at a few other job sites.”
“Things you don’t want him doing?”
His lips twisted and he stared across the room. “They aren’t decisions I would have made.”
“Isn’t it your company? Tell him to change it all back.”
“It’s half Jack’s company too. Both our fathers started it. I was simply the one running it when Jack was working for the Bureau or on the run. But he has as much right to decide things as I do.”
Something in Scott’s expression led her to believe he wasn’t happy with the joint ownership. Running her hand down his arm, she asked, “Would you have preferred Jack stay in the FBI?”
“God, no. I almost lost him a few times. I don’t ever want to go through that again. He’s like abrother to me.”
“But there is something about your partnership that’s troubling you, right?”
Looking down, he searched her face. For what she didn’t know. But he must have found it because he lifted his hands to rest onher shoulders.
“Jack’s a few years older than me, and was always the best at everything. He played more sports, went to a better college, had a higher rank in the military. And I was living withhisparents.”
“They didn’t treat you well?”
“Oh, no, they were fabulous. Don’t get me wrong, I was lucky to be living with them. They never made me feel like a burden, but I was well aware that Jack was their son. I was their nephew. I always felt second best. It was my own doing but I still couldn’t shake it. I was totally envious of all that Jack had andaccomplished.”
Remaining silent, she held his hands that had slipped fromher shoulders.
