“Sounds good.” Anya studied this quiet brother of Heath’s. Denver’s eyes were a startling blue that contrasted nicely with his black hair and rugged jaw. He reminded her of a wild wolf she’d seen once on television. His movements were quick and economical as he checked the connections to her computer and made sure the cords were safely out of the way. “Thank you,” she said.
He looked up. “Sure.” For a minute, he seemed to be considering her. “I, ah, I’m sorry about Carl dying. I know it was bad between you, but you still knew him.”
She caught her breath as warmth infused her. “Thank you.” Heat climbed into her face, and she tried to unravel some of her emotions. Carl had hurt her, but he hadn’t deserved to die. “I feel badly that he died, and I hope it wasn’t because of me. Because he followed me.” Though it didn’t seem to be the Copper Killer’s M.O., it was still possible.
Denver shook his head. “Feelings are never one way. It makes sense for you to be sad.” He stood and looked around the room, his gaze seeming to take in everything at once. Apparently satisfied that the room was secure, he focused back on her. “Ah, it’s okay to feel bad that he died.” Almost awkwardly, Denver patted her shoulder, his voice soft.
She smiled at him while tears pricked the back of her eyes. Being accepted felt as good as being understood.
He turned to double-check the security measures at the front of the office.
She watched him and made note of the camera locations. What would it be like to have a family again? To belong to this family? So much support and protection and safety all around.
She started as Zara stepped up next to her with a cup of tea.
“It’s blueberry. My favorite.” The woman handed over a fragrant cup.
Anya accepted it and blinked away tears. “What did you do before, ah, this?” she asked.
Zara blew on her steaming cup. “I was a paralegal. That’s how Ryker and I met. My law firm hired him for a job, and we took it from there.”
“Love at first sight?” Anya asked.
Zara pursed her lips. “Well, definitely lust at first sight. We moved into the love part later.”
“How did you know?” Anya asked. Could she sound any more like a dork? Maybe Zara would pass her a note in gym class about boys. “Dumb question, right?”
Zara shook her head, and her dark hair flew out of the clip that had held it. The clip bounced on the desk. “That isn’t a dumb question. I guess I realized it was love—the real kind—when I thought about never seeing him again, and it made me want to throw up.”
Anya burst out laughing.
Zara grimaced. “Okay. That doesn’t sound very romantic. Um, what I meant was that the idea of not sharing every day with Ryker made life seem endless and gray. Boring and sad. Lonely.”
Anya sobered, her heart touched. “Much better. That’s sweet.”
“It really is,” Ryker said, approaching from the back kitchen area.
Anya jumped.
Zara pressed a hand to her chest. “For pete’s sake, Ryker. Would you stop being so quiet when you enter a room?” She shook her head. “I’m going to die of a heart attack. I just know it.”
Ryker grinned. He wore his customary faded jeans, motorcycle boots, and black leather jacket. As rebels went, he was definitely one. He reached Zara in several strides and drew her in for a hard kiss.
Anya looked away, her cheeks heating just as Heath prowled into the room from the stairs. He moved with purpose, a hard mask of determination on his face. With a black T-shirt and ripped jeans on, he looked more dangerous than any rebel, especially with the gun casually tucked into his waistband.
His eyes glittered, and he surveyed the room much like Denver had. “Anya? You understand where you can go and where you cannot?” The command in his tone pricked through her, bringing with it the urge for her to rebel.
She bit her lip. “Yes.” If they were going to fight again, she didn’t want witnesses. After the amazing night of sex, she thought they were of like minds. But unease still whispered in her. Even though he’d enjoyed himself, had he been holding back? Something told her he had kept his control in check. What would it be like to make him lose that? To be the only woman who could? Every instinct in her sensed that he’d never lost that control in bed before.
Ryker cleared his throat and nodded at Denver, who was heading toward the kitchen area “I thought we’d all take a moment before opening the doors for business.” He paled a little beneath his normally bronze face.
Anya stilled. Was he okay? As she watched, he wiped his brow.
Zara leaned back. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” Ryker cleared his throat again.
Anya looked toward Heath. He stood near the door, arms crossed. No expression. What in the world was going on? Was Ryker okay?
