Page 53 of Code Violation

For a second, Forrest appeared confused. His gaze shot over to Nero and then his expression shifted to—Nero couldn’t quite catalogue it, but Forrest’s shoulders slumped in defeat.

“He is Nero Vik, as you full well know.”

“And what is Nero Vik doing here? Exactly.”

Lani wasn’t backing down. Whatever was causing this reaction, Forrest was the only one who could resolve it.

Forrest hesitated, seemingly unsure how to answer her question. He glanced at Nero again.

Lani waited.

Nero opened his mouth to fill the silence, but Forrest beat him to it.

“I decided to talk to him. He came over to the house this morning.”

“Huh. Keep talking. It isn’t morning anymore.”

It had to be almost five by now, Nero figured. The sun was heading toward the horizon. He pulled his phone from his pocket to confirm the time and was greeted with the text he’d ignored from Austin.

I miss you.

Nero sucked a breath through his nose. After months of separation, Austin missed him? He had a hard time believing that. It was more likely that he missed Nero paying half the utilities. He shoved the phone back where it belonged without replying.

“You were right,” Forrest said with an eye roll, followed by a wince. “He’s not a?—”

“‘Gossip monger’? Out to spread lies and take advantage of vulnerable people?”

Lai Cooper’s tone was deceptively smooth. Nero suppressed a smile and decided not to be offended. He thought he understood now why Forrest was wary of him. Plus, this whole exchange was entertaining.

Forrest’s cheeks reddened. Levi coughed into his hand. Lani smirked.

Forrest threw up his hands. “Fine. You were right and I was wrong. Happy now?”

“Yes.” She closed the distance between them, dropped the crutch and threw her arms around her brother, hugging him tightly. “What the hell happened here?” she whispered.

“The brakes failed. But before you go after Silas, I don’t think it was his fault.”

“Whose then?” she asked, stepping back and using her good foot to lift the crutch so she could stick it under her arm again. “Did that jackass, Toby Prosser, take pictures?”

Now it was Forrest’s turn to smirk. “Ah, yes, Toby the Tool took plenty of pictures. I should have said hi to him for you.”

“No, you should not have.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “You didn’t, did you?”

Forrest shook his head, almost regretfully. “It didn’t occur to me who he was until they’d already left. Next time. What took you so long to get here, and can you give me and Nero a ride to my place?”

“I can give you a ride,” Levi interjected.

As he spoke, there was a roll of thunder followed by the crack of lightning. Almost immediately, big, fat, extra wet raindrops began to fall. Nero sighed. On top of everything, his hair was going to explode. He knew he should have worn his knit cap.

“I’ll take them, Levi, but thanks for the offer.”

“Yeah, sure. See ya later, then.”

They all watched Levi head toward his house at the back of the property. Nero wanted to ask what was up with the dejected-looking man but decided he still didn’t want to be considered a “gossip monger” at the moment.

The rain that had been threatening began to fall in earnest.

“We’re going to be soaked,” Lani said. “Let’s go.”

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