Jagger was grinning massively, shoving his way in front ofHound, arms crossed on his chest.“Did you two hook up after Carolyn and Icouldn’t give Georgie a ride from the airport?”
“Jag—” Dutch started.
“Jives,” Jagger noted.“Seein’ asit’s been about five days.”
“Jagger—” Dutch tried again.
“Fuckin’ hell, man, you and me with sisters,” Jag stated andburst out laughing.
“Oh my God,” Georgie mumbled super low, pressing her hiphard into his to indicate that this was not a goodsitchand it was getting worse.
“Murr,” Murtagh butted into the conversation.
“Hullo, my baby, hullo, my precious,” Georgie cooed to himas he threaded himself around her stilettos and the hems of Dutch’s jeans.
“This is like a Hallmark movie,” Jag said.
“Hallmark in hell,” Georgie said, again under her breath.
Now that was funny.
Dutch choked down laughter.
“Okay, I’m done.What the fuck is going on?”his motherdemanded in Mom Voice.
“Shit,” he muttered.
“Oh boy,” Georgie mumbled.
“Baby,” Hound tutted.
“It’s just that Dutch hooked up.I told you two he wascool,” Jag declared.
“Is that it, Dutch?”Keely asked.“You just found a girl?Who’s your brother’s girlfriend’s sister?Who tonight apparently was out withanother man, wearing that dress, a man who made a pass at her?News that’ssurprising in itself, considering she left him and came right to you.News thatfurther made me wonder if we’d have to tie you down so you wouldn’t go out andcommit murder?Is thatjustwhat’s going on?”
Dutch looked to Georgie and asked, “Babe?”
She got him.
“I don’t know, honey,” she said.“Your call.”
“Not all of it,” he reminded her.
“It’sgonnahave to be doneeventually.”
“Jesus Christ!” Keely screeched, Georgie jumped,and Dutch looked to his ma to see her eyes on Hound.“They’re talkingincode.This is so deep between them they can talkin code.And hismother is just now meeting this girl?”
“Woman, lock it down,” Hound growled.
She leaned toward Hound.“In code, Shepherd.”
“He’s a grown man, Keekee,” Hound replied.
“So you’re okay with this?”she demanded.
“Well, yeah,” Hound answered.“Becausehe’s a grown man,Keely.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake, we’re investigating the murder of thedad of one of the kids at King’s Shelter.Georgie is a reporter and she’s usingsome of her sources to find out whatever she can,” Dutch told them.He lookeddown at Georgie.“And obviously, that did not go well tonight.”
