“The guy at the garage in Boston.”
David rocked his head back and forth. “He may not have been looking for you.”
“Right,” Reese said grimly, “so two, maybe three, maybe more people involved.”
Hodges sighed. “I think you all should head back to Boston. Or anywhere that’s not here.”
“No,” Reese said firmly. “I said I was tired of running and I mean it. We’ll do what we need to in order to be safe, but I’m not turning back. It’s time for answers.”
He glanced at David, belatedly consulting him.
David nodded. “Okay.”
“Fine with me,” Mati agreed. “Since it’s late, there’s no point in pushing through to home tonight. I say we stop in Moncton and check in with you tomorrow, Hodges. If we need to, we can go to my place until you give the all clear.”
Hodges hummed thoughtfully. “Maybe you should stay in Moncton for a while. Mati, your place isn’t that big, and you’ve only got the one bed.”
Mati smirked. “Don’t worry. We’ll manage.”
Reese watched David’s face as the cargo doors into the garage rolled open to admit them. He and Mati had explained the building they’d be visiting in Moncton was a converted warehouse, but hadn’t mentioned that the lower half hadn’t been significantly altered since Alexei had purchased the property.
Mati parked the car next to the cherry-red minivan Callum not-so-secretly treasured, and for which Reese gave him endless shit. They’d barely opened the car doors before Oliver was calling his and Mati’s names, dragging Alexei from where they’d been waiting by the elevator.
When David rose from the car, Alexei’s steps stuttered, his eyebrows going way up.
Reese bit back his laughter, scooping up Oliver and hugging him while he made introductions. “Alexei, Oliver, this is David Zapetti.”
The men shook hands, sizing each other up. It took exactly three seconds of eye contact before Alexei’s legendary gaydar went off and his smile turned flirtatious.
David grinned back.
“Okay,” Mati said, rolling her eyes, “let’s get upstairs, shall we?”
She grabbed her suitcase handle in one hand and David’s hand with the other. David barely had time to shoulder his own bag before Mati was marching toward the elevator.
They loaded into the ancient freight lift, and David looked around at the rickety old behemoth, bemused, as it trundled them up to the fourth floor. The doors opened, and David’s mouth fell agape. Pretty much everyone had that reaction to leaving the industrial-looking parking area and entering a place that looked more like the Ritz.
“Have I gone down the rabbit hole?” David asked.
The door to the left swung open and Callum stepped out, a big grin on his face. “David!”
David’s wide eyes took in the world-famous former NHL goalie grinning at him. “I’ve definitely gone down the rabbit hole.”
Reese laughed, nervous about the maniacal gleam in Callum’s eyes. He shifted Oliver onto his hip.
“Come in! Come in! We’re just getting ready to eat!” Callum said, waving them forward.
Mati went first and Callum’s hug lifted her right off her feet. His gaze—as always—was on Reese, waiting for him to demand that Callum put her down.
Reese just smiled.
Callum lookedmoredelighted, if possible.
Oliver jumped from Reese’s arms and ran to the door. “Papa Cal! Uncle Reese brought a friend who has even more muscles than you and Alexei!”
Callum laughed. “I see that. Go see if Rupert needs help. It’s your turn to set the table.”
Oliver disappeared into the house, and Alexei followed.
