Ray stepped forward. “Great. Now that is settled. Do we want to discuss Colonel Reed?”
“That man had shady written all over him,” Jessica stated.
Pierce nodded in agreement. “He definitely knows more than he is letting on. And I don’t buy that crappy ass excuse about why he was looking for that guy.”
“I say we keep this between us until we can get a little more information,” Ray said, and Pierce agreed.
“What about the guy. What if he shows up again?” She paused for a minute as if trying to gather her words. “If you all saw and spoke with him as I did, you would see that he isn’t a danger. I still believe that he’s seeking help, but something has spooked him, and maybe he isn’t sure who he can trust.”
Pierce hated the helpless edge creeping into her voice. Hated even more that he didn’t have enough answers to give her. He brushed his thumb once over her side, a small motion meant only for her. “If he needs help, then we’ll help him. It’s obvioushe has some trust in you, or he wouldn’t have left those notes for you.”
Ray nodded. “He’s right. And I think he’ll show up again. And right now, I think he’s our only hope in figuring out this mess.”
Jessica straightened and clapped her hands softly once. “Okay. I don’t know about the rest of you, but if we stay in this office any longer, I’m going to start climbing the walls. Plus, Ace, Alex, Irish, and Bailey are waiting for us at the restaurant. Not to mention, I’m starving and definitely need a drink after all of this.”
Ray huffed a laugh and then looked around the room. “Well, I believe the boss has spoken.”
Jessica glared at Ray, which made Pierce chuckle. He then glanced at Charley. “Are you still up for dinner and drinks with the others?”
She blew out a breath and picked up her purse. “Yeah. I think sitting here alone with my thoughts sounds like a terrible idea, and like Jessica, I think I need a drink too.”
They headed out together, Ray and Jessica taking the lead toward the stairwell while Pierce took Charley’s hand and walked with her. Seth, Cole, and Zane followed behind.
Once they got downstairs, Pierce stopped Charley and turned her gently toward him.
“Are you sure that you’re good with everything we just talked about?”
She smiled. “Yeah. I’m good.”
He searched her eyes, looking for any sign that she wasn’t telling him the truth, but all he saw was pure honesty.
He leaned down and softly brushed his lips against hers.
“Everything will be okay,” he told her. And the smile she gave him told him that she believed him.
He took a strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. Then he gently squeezed her hand.
“Let’s get some food in your belly. Plus, I think there’s a little girl who can’t wait to spend some quality time with her Aunt Charley.”
That statement right there made Charley’s smile grow even bigger.
“Well, we don’t want to keep her waiting. Believe me,” Charley said with a slight laugh as they walked out of the building hand in hand.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Charley had barely made it through the restaurant door before Alex and Bailey descended on her like two highly trained investigators who had just caught the scent of fresh dating gossip. Jessica joined them, providing additional commentary when needed.
Alex shook her head as she took a sip of her drink. “I can’t believe that you and Pierce are dating.”
Charley grinned. “Me either.”
“Yeah, ‘special friend’ my ass,” Bailey joked, referring to the endearment that Charley had called Pierce when Sienna asked who he was.
Charley laughed. “I mean, we’ve only been on one date.”
“Actually, three. Three dates,” Jessica chimed in.
Charley whipped her head around towards her friend. “Where are you getting three?”
