“Shit, sorry.” After sending a scathing glare to my brother, I turn back to my friend to fill in the rest of the details. “Turns out that scary dude runs illegal operations in these parts. Whatever that means.”
“It’s not your business,” Brody grunts.
“But it’s Colton’s to inherit.”
Paisley huffs. “I’m lost. Again.”
“That’s the message,” I clarify. “His dad is ready to retire or whatever criminals do in their golden years.”
“What’s Colton going to do?”
I shrug. “Beats me.”
We turn the force of our joined attention onto my brother. He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Just drop it, yeah?”
“Unlikely.” I tap the toe of my boot into the concrete.
“He’s tying up loose ends,” my brother shares almost unwillingly.
My curled upper lip isn’t impressed. “How ominous.”
Brody pulls at the cuffs of his shirt, looking ready to throttle me. “Are you going shopping or what? I have work to do.”
“Feel free to go do it. We can take care of ourselves.”
“Gave Colton my word that you wouldn’t leave my sight while he handles things.”
“Uh-huh, how precious. Remind me,” I coo and tap my chin. “Who’s in charge?”
His annoyance skewers me. “Not you.”
“We’ll see about that.” I loop my arm through Paisley’s and drag her forward. “Let’s ditch him.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” But a backward glance makes her shiver. “Oh, maybe it is. He looks positively feral.”
“Is he following us?” My gaze remains fixed forward.
“And then some. Me likey his sex face.” Her throaty tone makes me gag.
“Gross. Not sure I’ll ever get used to the two of you together.”
“Give it time. We’re still new.” She blows him a kiss.
“And extremely affectionate.” I turn to see Brody hot on our heels. “You’re making it harder to get rid of him.”
“Like he’ll ever lose track of us in this town. People will snitch instantly.”
My fingers curl around the door handle of Life’s a Stitch. A warm burst of heat and the overpowering fragrance from scented candles welcomes us. “I’ll crochet a blindfold for him unless you’d prefer to do the honors.”
Paisley scans the large store stocked with potential. “You know buying a boatload of crafts and not doing a damn thing with them is more my thing.”
“And not leaving you two unsupervised is mine.” Brody appears like a pest I’ve tried and failed to exterminate, looping his arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“Impossible,” I groan while fetching a cart. “How can I get a moment’s peace?”
“Quit putting yourself in dangerous situations,” my brother suggests unhelpfully.
“Dad said these people weren’t necessarily dangerous.”
