He just picked it up, and the damned cat looked right at Ciaran while he purred against Sawyer’s chest.
Ciaran had to unclench his jaw, and he swore the door handle creaked under his grip. He sneered at the cat and huffed as he opened the door with a little more force than necessary and then stomped out of there.
Even above the thumping of blood in his ears, he heard Sawyer’s voice. “What is it with him and doors?”
He saw Fray leaning against the railing by his place, waiting. Listening.
Smiling.
“You can’t kill the cat,” Fray said as he got closer.
“I can fucking try,” Ciaran griped.
Fray snorted and clapped his shoulder. “You did good. You had a conversation with him. It’s a start. He’s a nice guy.”
“He’s hot,” Hendrix hollered from inside.
Ciaran heard Otis hiss at him, “Do you want to fucking die? I won’t stop him if he tries to kill you.”
Ciaran heard Hendrix laugh, and he sighed. “I need to apologise for before,” Ciaran murmured.
“Nah, we’re good,” Fray said. “Did you get some thinking done while you were down there?”
Ciaran nodded. “Yeah.”
“Good.” Fray gave Ciaran a grin that he hadn’t realised just how much he’d really needed. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”
They went inside, and everyone was there, waiting. Everyone except Dylan.
Ciaran cleared his throat. “Okay, before we get to order of business, I need to apologise to you all. I haven’t been the leader you’ve needed these past few days.”
“It’s understandable,” Kellan offered. “These are not exactly normal circumstances.”
Ciaran winced. That was beside the point. They needed a leader, and he’d let them down.
“Anyway,” he said dismissing the concerned looks from his brothers. “Order of business. Three things. The first one is Dylan. Tobin, Fray, and Hendrix, go back to Hobart and find out all you can. Who saw him last, who he spoke to. If the Bass Strait boys have anything to do with it, we need to know.”
“Bag’s already on the boat,” Tobin said. “Ready to leave when you are.”
Ciaran appreciated Tobin so much.
“Two,” he continued. “Otis, Kellan, and Aurin, take a trip out to the trench. Something felt off there the other day. It was too still, too quiet.”
“You think it’s related?” Fray asked.
Ciaran gave a nod. “With a new cop turning up in town at the same time? It’s too much of a coincidence.”
Hendrix snorted. “You think Hottie McCoppie is up to?—”
Ciaran cut him off with a snarl, anger boiling in his belly. “Don’t call him that.”
Otis whacked Hendrix with the back of his hand. “Told ya once. I won’t stop him.”
Fray sighed. “I think I should stay,” he said quietly.
Ciaran knew Fray would like to go with Tobin so they could spend some time together, even if Hendrix was with them. It was why he’d suggested it. For Fray. “I’ll be fine. And these three will be back from the trench by morning if they leave tonight. I won’t even see him until tomorrow now, anyway, so what’s the worst that could happen?”
Fray raised an eyebrow at him. An eyebrow that said,“I’ve had to intervene how many times already?”
