I look at Declan so I know what to answer.
He shakes his head.
“No.”
“You’re a crappy liar.”
Shit. My life depends on lying to just about everyone, so the fact that Connor thinks I’m such a bad liar worries me. “I’ll try to get better at it.”
“No need. I know everything.”
Shivers run down my spine. I swallow. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I know that Declan has the crew ready, but I still have an hour before my twenty-four hours are up, which is how long it will take me to get to the mansion. Tell them to check camera 99.”
Declan nods at the two men, and one of them gestures with his hand, slicing at the throat, a universal sign that something is dead or cut off.
The other guy pushes the computer over the counter toward Declan. Connor is on the road that leads to the mansion, waving, a phone pressed to his ear. “Hey, guys.”
“Thank God,” Declan whispers and scrubs his face. He hangs up and looks at the pair of men.
“On it.” A man says. “Let’s file out.” The men leave the house.
Dina hugs Declan. “Take it easy on him. I’m sure he has an explanation.”
“I’m not,” Declan answers, clearly agitated.
Fifteen minutes later, Connor walks into the manor carrying four cups of coffee in a tray in one hand and a pink teddy bear in the other. He puts the coffees on the kitchen bar and turns toward us with a big smile, showing his dimples. Blue eyes sparkle with mischief.
“What’s up, guys?” he says.
Declan throws up his hands. “What’s up, guys?!”
Connor laughs.
Declan points at him. “Stop laughing.”
“You’re funny when you’re loving on me all angry like that.”
“Are you doing this for attention?” Declan asks.
Connor rolls his eyes. “Please.” He looks around. “Where’s my baby?”
“You don’t have a baby,” Declan states.
“Hanna is with Chi-chi in the guesthouse,” I tell him. Declan is right, though. Connor is being very nonchalant about going MIA, while his brother was genuinely worried.
Connor steps toward the door.
Declan moves in front of him. “You’d better explain your absence.”
“You’re not my keeper.”
“Don’t do this, Con.”
“Get out of my fucking way, brother.”
“Oh no,” Dina whispers.
