Denver cocked his head, his lip twisting.
Heath sighed. “Okay. I flashed back when I saw Loretta’s body. But that’s all.”
Ryker’s gaze delved deep. As with most of his gazes, there was a mixture of several emotions. Concern, caring, warning, questioning . . .
It was the questioning that provided warning. If Ry decided the op was too dangerous, mentally or emotionally, he’d pull the plug. Since he was the most mentally stable at the moment, he’d do whatever he had to do.
Heath sighed and continued. “I’m fine, so please don’t plan to drug me and get me somewhere safe.” Since he’d done so to Ryker years ago when things had gotten too dicey, he couldn’t rule it out. “This is going to be dangerous, and I’m doing it. But I fully understand if you guys want to sit this one out. I can hire backup.”
“Don’t be a dick,” Denver said slowly. “If you’re in, we’re in. It’s not even an option.”
Heath blinked. Heat flushed through him. Family. They’d formed it out of necessity, and they’d held on through the years because it was right. They were never truly alone, which was a hell of a mantra used by brothers across the genetic pool. He accepted the truth of the words. “Fair enough. What about Zara?” He looked at Ryker. The woman was Ryker’s heart, and Heath would instantly die for her if necessary. “She could go to the Montana gang for safety.”
“Won’t go,” Ryker said. “I could force her, but according to her, my being a throw-back dickhead asshole is not a good way to plan a life together.”
Man, Ryker had found the exact prefect woman for him. “She does have a way with words.” Heath grinned.
Ryker nodded. “She can work details from here in the safe house, and she’s phenomenal with details, so she’ll be a big help.” His chest swelled, and his eyes glowed.
Zara was a paralegal originally out of Wyoming and probably the most analytical person Heath had ever met. Ryker had never smiled as much or been as relaxed as when she’d entered his life. Even so, if anything happened to the sweet woman, Heath would never forgive himself. “I appreciate everything you guys have done in such a short amount of time.”
Ryker’s eyes hardened. “We want to catch this guy, too. From the day we were hired and didn’t find the girl in time, I’ve been waiting for a chance to take this bastard out.”
“Damn, he’s smart,” Heath said.
“Yeah,” Ryker said. “I’m worried how twisted you are about this job. This woman. If you need to talk, you need to talk.”
Heath’s lips twitched. “What are you, Dr. Phil?”
Ryker grinned and rubbed a hand through his thick hair. “Not even close. Not with these luscious locks.”
“Luscious?” Denver snorted.
“Hey. Zara said my hair is luscious.” Ryker frowned.
Heath coughed to mask a laugh. So that was why Ryker’s hair was growing past his collar. “That’s definitely the word for it.”
Ryker brightened. “Exactly. For now, let’s go inside to discuss the case. It’s cold here in the garage. Follow us, and I’ll show you the living quarters.” He led the way toward the door. “We can have a brief meeting, show you around, and then get rid of the SUV on the way to the decoy offices.”
“And shopping,” Denver said.
“Shopping?” Heath retrieved the bags and followed his brothers through the doorway and up the stairs.
The landing was brick and bare . . . and four doors went in different directions.
“Three are apartments, and this one was a conference room that we turned into a war room.” Ryker shoved open a new metal door to show a sprawling room with a conference table, a small kitchen to the side, a wall of windows, and a pool table by a bar. “The pool table was here.”
His brothers had worked hard to get all this ready. After the past week, Heath was finally able to take a deep breath and fill his lungs. His neck and shoulders relaxed. Even as a kid, he’d known that family was all that really mattered. It was an easy lesson when you didn’t have any.
Now he did.
Even though they were worried about him, they’d still cover his back and, by extension, Anya’s. He was lucky to have them and that extra layer of protection for her. So many emotions slammed into him, he couldn’t find the right words. His brothers not only had put themselves into the center of a serial killer investigation but also had made themselves far too visible for past enemies to find. For him.
“I like this place.”
Denver nodded. “You’re welcome.”
Heath dropped the bags and crossed to a large board already filled with notes and pictures of the Copper Killer case. Next to the board was a long desk covered with several computers and monitors. Some showed the current building, while others surveyed another, newer-looking building near downtown. “Wow. You guys did a lot of work quickly.”
