“No.” Mal slid it over the console. “If I go with them, and if they search me, they won’t understand why I have a burner phone. Just meet me here around six tonight.”
Wolfe frowned and looked even deadlier than usual. “I’m not sending you in there alone. We’re a team now.”
The guy obviously took that very seriously. “No choice. This is undercover.” Mal clapped him on the arm. “And ditto.” He jumped out of the truck and into the rain, quickly jogging away before Wolfe could try to stop him. Rain smashed down and mixed with the alcohol in his hair, making him smell even worse.
Before he knew it, he was behind Blue’s, going through a huge green metal garbage dumpster. Holy crap. There really was a bottle of tequila with booze still in it. He took it out, found a nice place slightly sheltered from the rain, and waited.
By the time they arrived, he’d finished the alcohol and was soaking wet.
Tree ran across the mud puddles. “Hey, Mal. How’s it going?”
Mal let his head loll on his shoulders. “Pine? Wait. No. Tree. Dude, what are you doing here?” His voice slurred just the right amount.
“We were driving by and saw you.” Tree shoved a surprisingly strong shoulder beneath Mal’s arm. “How about breakfast? You need some food.”
Mal let the empty bottle crash to the pavement. There was no way Tree had seen him while driving by. But considering he was supposed to be drunk, he let himself be herded toward a sleek black van.
The door opened, and the blonde was there. She’d said her name was April because good things arrived in the spring. Today she had on very short white shorts and a tube top, again with no bra. “Malcolm,” she said, reaching out toned arms to help him into the van. “How fortunate we found you. The storm is just getting worse.”
Tree smoothly removed Mal’s gun as April pushed back his hair. “Such a handsome face.”
Right.
Tree shut the door and ran around to jump into the driver’s seat, leaving Mal alone with April.
“I want my gun back, Tree,” Mal slurred, letting April put his head on her shoulder and caress his leg.
“No problem. After breakfast.” Tree pressed the accelerator, and they zoomed out of the lot.
About an hour passed before they drove beneath an imposing archway toward a colonial-style mansion. Green grass and rolling hills led to surrounding mountains. The place was beautiful. Even though it was raining, kids played out front and slid over wet grass, laughing merrily.
“The gardens are out back,” April said, her hand at the very top of Mal’s thigh.
They parked, and Tree jumped out to open the door. “We’ll get you some food and then take you wherever you want to go.” He held out a hand to help a now dry Malcolm.
Mal stepped out and made a show of trying to straighten his torn and dirty shirt. “I’m not exactly fit for company.”
April trilled a laugh and slid her arm through his. “Don’t be silly. We’d never think of judging on looks here.” She escorted him up the wide steps and between massive columns into a wide foyer with shiny wood furniture beneath a sparkling chandelier. “Welcome to our home.”
Mal stumbled and looked around. “This place is beautiful.” He looked down at the small blonde. “Who are you people?”
She laughed again and drew him down the hallway to the left. “Let’s get you some food and we’ll talk about that.”
Tree headed in the opposite direction.
With Mal’s gun.
* * *
After a truly excellent meal of beef and rice, Mal found himself alone in a thick stone shower with steam rising all around him. He’d kept it cool during lunch while meeting several long-standing members of the family. Nobody asked him for anything, and everyone seemed relaxed and happy.
The steam made him feel secure. Damn, he felt good. For the first time since he’d been shot, his leg didn’t hurt. Before he could contemplate that, the door opened, and April walked inside, completely nude.
He moved away from the spray, his mind oddly fuzzy. “Whoa. Um, no.”
She smiled, her body nubile and tight. Intriguing triangles around her breasts showed she’d worn a bikini recently. “I just came to help you.” Her slim hands reached for the soap on the ledge.
His heart rate picked up while his body seemed to somehow relax.
