“I’m trying to see who won the battle of the front seat.” She straightened with a smile. “Sierra.”
“She’s definitely my daughter, no matter what the DNA says.”
Julia chuckled as they closed the distance to the vehicle and climbed into the backseat. Julia slid between Ethan and Alicia as Grant took the last captain chair in the middle row. James closed the door behind them before he slipped into the front seat.
“Did I hear right that we’re going to the Victorian?”
“That’s right,” Grant answered. “We’re…sleuthing.”
James shifted in his seat, staring out the windshield for a moment before he shifted into gear. “Right.”
“Don’t judge. You and Julia did the same thing without my knowledge. And you didn’t even tell me that she can pick locks.”
“Been using your skills, Juju?” Alicia asked.
Julia patted her knee. “Taught by the best.”
“I am a professional, though,” Alicia answered.
Kyle shifted in his seat to glance back at them. “You can pick a lock?”
“I can. And no, I still don’t believe you can despite what you said in Maine.”
“Hey, speaking of what happened in Maine, I heard you broke into our house. Not cool, doc,” Alicia said with a shake of her head.
He grimaced at her. “I didn’t break. You leave the doors open. I only entered.”
“That’s still trespassing,” Ethan said.
“It’s not…Julia was fine with it. Even when I pressed my hand over her mouth so she wouldn’t scream.”
Alicia shook her head. “This family is…never mind.”
“Hey, lady,” Sierra shouted from the front, “remember whose car you’re in. We will literally dump you on the side of the road.”
“No, we won’t,” Grant said with a shake of his head.
Sierra glared at her. “We will.”
“Sorry,” Alicia said, raising her hands. “I guess you all keep it interesting.”
James pulled the vehicle into the Victorian’s driveway, easing it to a stop outside the charred remains of the house.
The scent of burnt wood still filled the air as they piled from the vehicle. Grant wrinkled his nose at the house. “Is this safe?”
“Gosh, I hope not,” Sierra said as she rubbed her hands together.
“Sierra!” he chided.
“What? I need another rush. Rescuing Kyle was awesome.”
“Thanks, sis,” Kyle said. “I think so, too.”
“No problem,” she said with a pat on his shoulder. “You were so helpless. And we were so badass.”
Grant slid his eyes closed and shook his head.
Memories of the night of the fire raced through Julia’s mind. She shuddered as she recalled the flames dancing around her, the heavy scent of the smoke that choked her, and the deep fear that she wouldn’t see any of them again.
