Teagan’s pulse kicked into gear. “So they both traveled to the Middle East before they died but not at the same time. Could it have to do with the stolen antiquities?”
Drew nodded. “Or could even have to do with drugs.”
Teagan held Drew’s gaze. “We need to call Hoyle’s wife first thing in the morning to see if he went to the Middle East too.” Teagan added the information to her list.
Mackenzie yawned.
“You should head to bed,” Teagan said. “We’ll start again in the morning.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Mackenzie chuckled and stood. “I hope starting in the morning includes you making breakfast for us.”
Teagan smiled. “I can.”
“Then good night.” She swept out of the room in a flourish, her skirt swishing as she walked.
Drew sat back. “I like your sister.”
“Me too, but don’t tell her that.” Teagan laughed.
“I always wanted siblings, but my parents were never able to have another child. And then my dad died, so…”
“I can’t tell you how many times growing up I wished I was an only child, but that was pure foolishness. Losing Thomas really put in perspective how much family means to all of us.”
“Family who won’t appreciate me lying to them.”
“They’ll get it. Maybe not at first, but they’re all in law enforcement so they’ll understand.”
“Listen to us. Talking like I’ll be seeing your family after all of this is done.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond, so she would just lay everything on the line and go from there. “I would like it if that happened.”
“I’m kind of leaning that way too.”
“You are?”
“Ever since I kissed you.” He took her hand, his warm and rough. “But I don’t want to mislead you. I still haven’t worked through my issue. I’m trying, though. You’re so worth it.”
“Shouldn’t you let me decide if I want to risk potential pain?”
“Yeah, I should, but I just…” He shook his head. “Whenever I think of my mom after my dad died, it cuts me in two. She was in such pain. Had a complete mental collapse. I just…”
“Then let’s agree to not decide anything until after this investigation is over. Give both of us time to think about what we want and what we’re willing to risk.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
“What? Why?”
“Because you’re so understanding when I know this is something I should just be able to let go.”
“You experienced a deep trauma. First with losing your dad and then with your mother suffering so much. It’s not just blink and it will go away. It will always be with you in varying degrees.”And hopefully, you can come to grips with it, she didn’t add as she didn’t want to put any pressure on him right now.
“I appreciate you saying that.” He lifted her hand and kissed it.
Her heart flooded with warmth and longing, and everything good—so different from when Oliver had done the same thing.
He released her hand, and a cool mask went down over his face. “You up for reviewing Romo’s flash drive before we call it quits for the night?”
She nodded, though she had to admit to disappointment that he’d moved them back to the professional world so quickly. Even if shehadagreed to wait on anything personal.
