“Hi, Angel,” he said, his eyes dark.
I grabbed him and pulled him inside, bringing him in for a hug. “Stay off the rose petals.”
He hugged me back, enfolding me in that way he had. Then he looked down. “All right.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t until I saw my truck in the parking area.” He released me.
Interesting. I rubbed my palm across his whiskered jaw. It had obviously been a few days since he’d shaved. “Why were you driving around the lake?” I looked up and noted him staring over my head at Nick. I slowly turned. “What’s going on?”
“Basanelli, you need to come with me,” Aiden said.
Nick drew up. “What are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere.”
“You can come nicely for an interview, or I can arrest you right now.”
I stepped away from Aiden, going cold. “What’s going on? You don’t have anything to do with local murders and can’t be involved in the investigation of Richard Basanelli.”
“This isn’t about a murder,” Aiden muttered.
Nick just stared at him. “What can the ATF possibly want with me?”
Aiden looked like an immovable object near the door. “That’s something we need to discuss down at my office.”
I looked around. “You can’t. He’s going to propose tonight.”
His gaze didn’t soften. “Sorry, Angel.”
“You didn’t even tell me you were flying back today,” I said accusatorially, stepping back and crossing my arms, feeling incredibly chilled. What in the world was happening right now?
He sighed. “I didn’t know I was. It was last-minute.”
“And you came to see Nick first?” I asked.
“I’m still on the job.” Aiden looked tall and broad in black slacks and a dark jacket, which no doubt hid a weapon.
“Tell me what’s going on,” Nick said. “Or I’m not going with you. I don’t think you’ll really arrest me.”
“You’re wrong about that. I will. I need to talk to you about...” He glanced at me, and a sudden chill swept through me. His eyes darkened and then that veil I hadn’t seen in a while dropped over his gaze. “Let’s talk later.”
Nick’s chin lifted, and his eyes glittered. “My lawyer’s present right now, so I’ll be bringing her with me.”
Heat flared in Aiden’s eyes. “I think you should go outside of the family for this one. It puts her in a terrible position.”
“It putsyouin a terrible position,” Nick retorted.
One thing about Basanelli was that the guy knew strategy. He rarely lost in trial. Of course, Aiden also knew how to fight dirty. I didn’t like being in the middle, but...
“I am Nick’s attorney.” I lifted my chin. “Anything you have to say, you can say in front of me.”
Aiden’s glare flicked to me, and I felt the glittering irritation in those too-blue eyes all the way to my feet. “Fine. You can come to my office, as well, but we are leaving now.”
I looked around. “We can’t leave now. Tessa’s coming.”
“Now,” Aiden said, no give on his face.
Disappointment swamped me. “Let’s go. You can text her that dinner is off.”
