The sleep completely deserted Heath’s eyes, and he snapped awake. “We can be there in twelve hours if I drive.”
Ryker rolled his eyes. “I drive faster than you do.”
“Do not.” Heath grabbed a chair and dropped into it, setting himself shoulder to shoulder with Ryker. They each took up half the screen, morphing their faces into a parody of a clown mirror. “How is she?”
“Fine.” Denver shook his head. “Would you guys back away from the camera a little so I don’t go blind?”
They did so, both looking disgruntled. “Better, Whiney Butt?” Heath muttered.
“Noni is fine. Now go back to your warm beds and keep dreaming about chocolate fountains and place settings,” Denver said, wanting to discuss anything in the world besides Noni. “Have either of you set a date to get hitched?”
“No.” Ryker’s jaw firmed. “Not until we’re done with the past. With all of it.”
Yet another reason Denver had to get Noni and the baby settled and safe. He had one last job to do afterward that would guarantee his brothers made it to their weddings. “Agreed.”
Heath craned his neck, trying to see behind Denver. “Where is she?”
Denver held on to his patience with both hands. “In bed.”
Amusement filled Ryker’s eyes. “Ohhhhhhh,” he said, grinning.
Heath clapped him on the back. “Yeah. In bed, huh? In that house all by yourselves with no chaperones? Hmmm. Yet you’renotin bed.”
“Maybe she kicked him out,” Ryker mock-whispered.
Heath glanced at Ry. “Didn’t you buy him that book about how to please a woman?”
Ryker frowned. “I thought you bought him that?”
“Well, shit,” Heath said slowly, his lips tipping up. “Nobody gave him a book. He probably sucks in bed. No wonder she won’t let him in.”
Ryker rubbed his jaw and focused back on Denver. “Don’t worry—I can draw you a couple of diagrams. You know. With the important places circled.”
Denver couldn’t help but snort. Sometimes his brothers were twelve years old again. Not that they’d had a normal childhood, but still. “Would you guys grow up?” He reached for the button to disconnect the camera.
“Cut us off, and we’ll fly there in three hours, airport security be damned,” Ryker said easily, losing his smile.
Denver paused. “Considering I don’t know where the baby is, it’s better if you stay there. For now.”
“He just wants the place to himself,” Heath mock-whispered to Ryker. “He has a girl there.”
Ryker snorted. “Seriously, Denver. We’re not done yet. Talk.”
Denver wanted to snap his brother’s head off for asking, but there was basis for the question. His brothers cared about him or they wouldn’t push so hard. A lot of people didn’t have that in life. He thanked God he did. “I’m fine. Haven’t had a drink in two days and don’t miss it.” Not completely true, but he wasn’t jonesing or trembling, so all was good. Maybe he’d spent too much time in a bottle since leaving Noni, but he refused to use alcohol any longer. It was the woman sleeping down the hallway that had his full attention. He needed to end the threats hanging over everyone he cared about, and to do that he had to be at full throttle. “Don’t worry. I’m good.”
Ryker studied him and then stood. “Fair enough. Send me the address for the motel where you were attacked and I’ll get surveillance in place—I’ll call in a favor or two. There’s a good chance Cobb and Madison have sent forces to track you down. They had to have seen the postings Noni put up on the web.”
Denver’s gut roiled. “I know.” Sheriff Cobb and Dr. Madison had soldiers and mercenaries on the payroll. “I’ll e-mail you the info on Noni’s rental car. It’s still in the parking lot of the motel and needs to be returned. Have somebody do it. Keep me informed.”
Ryker nodded. “Call me when you have a plan. I’m going to check our security.” He turned and strode away.
Heath moved closer to the camera. “E-mail me the searches you’re running. I’ll do some from here.”
Denver looked at him. Lines had cut into the sides of Heath’s mouth, and his eyes were on full alert. “Can’t sleep?”
“No. They’re coming, man. Our enemies are getting close. I can feel it,” Heath said. “Just send me something to do.”
Denver leaned to the side and e-mailed the information he’d gathered. There was no way to sleep when a threat breathed, so he didn’t bother arguing with Heath. If Heath was feeling it, so was Ryker. But Ry would prowl their property while Heath helped with the search. “Thanks.”
