Page 46 of Queen of Spades

Right, so today just got weirder.

They’re the guests Cas has been losing his shit over for the last several hours, but the names don’t match up.

My eyes immediately narrow in on the sparrow tattoos on Grady’s neck.

“Jesus Christ,” Cas mutters. “You’re telling me I propositioned Ranger’s little sister?”

“It would appear the three of you need to come inside,” I say, clearing my throat. It doesn’t sound like this is a conversation to be had in the garage.

Not to mention, Annika or Sparrow has dried blood on her arm and neck.

Jesus Christ, indeed.

Cas guides our three visitors into his downstairs office. I stand at the door as the big guy, Kane, tosses himself down in one of the chairs on this side of the desk.

My eyes widen as Annika shoves Grady’s hand off her back as they head past me.

Damn, I don’t even know what to call her.

“You’re related to Ranger Cavanaugh?” Cas asks, but it very much sounds like an accusation.

“Unfortunately,” she mutters.

Kane leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I don’t know how you know each other, but I was told this was where we were landing tonight.”

Grady steps to the right side wall and leans against it.

Annika begins pacing the floor.

“Are you all right?” I murmur, pushing off the door and coming to a stop in front of her. “You’re covered in dried blood.” Now that I’m paying attention, all three of them are. The men, more so than the omega. Perhaps it smudged off onto her, based on the similar stains I spot on Grady.

“It’s been a long night since we saw you last,” she whispers, grimacing.

My hands move to her hips. “Why don’t I bring you upstairs, and you can take a shower? I’ll find you some fresh clothes.”

Her gaze immediately flies over her shoulder to look at Grady, but I catch the newcomer, Kane, watching her.

Well, that look might spell trouble.

I’m not exactly sure what it is, but if I had to take a guess, I’d say he’s wishing she looked to him for safety, not Grady.

Grady shoves himself off the wall with his arms crossed, but he pulls them down to steal her out of my grasp. “I’d rather stick around to listen to this, but I think Ward would take care of you in my absence. Won’t you, Granddad?”

I raise a hand, flipping him off.

I’m probably less than ten years older than he is, but I’ve been going gray since my early thirties.

“Um, are you sure we shouldn’t stay together?” she whispers as Cas and Kane get back to discussing whatever the hell it is they’re talking about.

“Ranger wouldn’t have sent you here if he didn’t trust that you’d be safe,” Grady says, dipping his lips to hers. It’s barely a tease of their mouths meeting before he stands to his full height, looking at me. “I’ll find you once I’m done.”

Annika nods, spinning around to face me. “Okay, a shower and fresh clothes sounds heavenly.”

I guide the omega upstairs and gather one of my undershirts and a pair of sweats before leading her into the attached bath.

Could I have taken her to one of the guest rooms?

Probably.

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