Leif laughed. “We’re never gonna live that one down.”
“It was pretty impressive.” JJ grinned. “And more than a little destructive.”
“Just a little,” Leif agreed, using his fingers to demonstrate a small amount.
“I thought you and your brother owned a security system company,” JJ noted, glancing for the first time at the panel on the wall.
“We do.” He gestured toward the panel. “And you, my friend, are gettin’ the top-of-the-line package.”
JJ’s gaze shifted back to Baz, and he could see the questions burning in her gaze. He smiled. “Surprise.”
He watched as it registered and felt a hint of relief when her expression relaxed. Of course, that relief was short-lived when, a moment later, tears formed.
Oh, hell. He knew he should’ve talked to her first. Now he’d gone and made her cry.
His heart squeezed tight in his chest as he stepped toward her. “What’s wrong? Did I screw up?”
“Nothin’.” She shook her head dramatically and looked away. “And no, you didn’t.”
Baz frowned, glancing over at Leif, who was staring at her like she’d grown a third eyeball.
JJ waved them off. “Hey, I’m pregnant. That’s theonlyreason I’m cryin’.”
Baz laughed, relaxing once more as he pulled her against him and let her bury her face in his chest.
These were good tears, he realized.
When she went up on her toes and put her mouth close to his ear, Baz’s entire body heated.
“You’re gettin’ laid when we get home, Detective,” she whispered, her words spoken so softly he hardly heard them.
Then again, his cock heard them loud and clear.
Chapter Nine
Turned out that the retail space whereToby had set up shop for his travel agency netted them nothing, but Brantley hadn’t expected that it would. Well, nothing more than confirming he had been in business at one point. The space had already been rented out again, this time to a real estate broker taking advantage of the hot market.
The neighbors on either side had nothing to contribute to finding Toby. However, the consensus was that Toby was a nice guy, and they had hated to see him go. Friendly and chatty seemed to be the theme when describing Tobias Land.
“Two down, one to go,” Brantley told Reese as they walked to the fourth and final shop in the small commercial space.
Reese swung the door open, triggering a bell to ring above it. When they stepped inside, Brantley was instantly assaulted by a thousand different smells that merged into one rather unflattering scent. He instantly felt sorry for Tesha and her keen sense of smell. If he’d known they were coming here, he would’ve left her at the house again despite the fact he knew Reese preferred her with them at all times.
“Maybe they should light only one candle at a time. Or onescenteven,” he murmured as he led the way toward the counter at the side of the long, narrow space.
Reese’s response was a choked agreement.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” a lively bald man said, a beaming grin splitting his long, narrow face. He had enormous brown eyes set in sockets as wide as saucers. “How may I assist you today?”
Brantley stepped aside and let Reese do the talking. He inquired about Toby, flashing the picture he had on his phone.
“Oh, yes,” the man said in an effeminate croon, his gaze sliding from the phone to Reese, then traveling very slowly up and down.
Brantley fought the urge to grin. There was no mistaking this man’s interest in Reese.
“And you would be?” he inquired, cocking a hip and smiling up at Reese.
“Reese Tavoularis.” Reese pulled out his credentials as he tilted his head toward Brantley. “This is my partner, Brantley Walker. We’re with Sniper 1 Security.”
