Page 19 of Scorched

Seb frowned. “Work on her how? And why is she the one staying with you and not your sister?”

Oh, here we go. Big brother was taking a stand. Declan decided to have a little fun. “Didn’t you know? We’ve been secretly dating since you arrested me for murder in June. She practically lives at my house.”

Seb’s frown turned thunderous. “What? I swear to God, Declan, if you break her heart—”

Declan fought to hold in the laughter, wincing as some broke free. “Relax. Nothing’s going on. Macy asked her to check on me the other night because she was busy, and it’s just snowballed from there. I haven’t touched her.” Though, that idea was becoming more appealing with every moment he spent in her company.

“If you weren’t all busted up, I’d punch you. Jackass.”

Declan held back another laugh. “You’re such an easy mark.”

“Yeah? Well, wait until you find out some clown is dating Macy, then come talk to me.”

“Hell, I’d be happy. Maybe she’d stop trying to run my life.”

Seb grinned. “You’d be lost without her, and you know it.”

Yeah, he would. He loved his sister to distraction. She was the one person who truly understood him, because she’d been right there beside him, experiencing the same life. They’d needed to depend on each other, because there hadn’t been anyone else. She did have one serious character flaw, though. “I could do without her obsessive neat-freak tendencies when she’s stressed. She reorganized my cupboards when she was worried about Rayna. All my canned goods are alphabetized now, and my dishes are stored by size, then color.”

Seb shook his head and grinned. “At least she’s trying to be productive.”

“That’s true. But it still took me forever to get used to where she put everything, especially the dishware.”

The door opened again, and Maggie waltzed inside, looking fresh and young in a pair of jeans, red flats, and a yellow cardigan over a deep purple t-shirt. Declan felt a pang of disappointment she wasn’t wearing heels.

She paused when she saw her brother. “Hey, Seb. What are you doing here? He’s going home, you know.” Her eyes narrowed. “Wait. You’re not here discussing work, are you?”

Seb stood. “Well, that’s my cue to leave.”

“Sebastian.” She glared up at him.

He bent and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “It was just an update. He needs to stay in the loop.” He glanced back at Declan. “I’ll let you know if we uncover anything else.”

Declan nodded. “Keep my theory in mind.”

“Like I could forget it. Put a damn monkey wrench in my investigation. Take care of yourself.” He looked down at Maggie. “And you, don’t hover.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Dad. Now, shoo.” She gave him a soft shove toward the door.

“I’ll see you guys later.” He waved and closed the door behind him.

Maggie turned those dark eyes on him as soon as the door shut.

Declan held up his hands as high as his ribs would let him, hoping his expression was innocent because he was anything but. “It really was just an update.”

“Hmm… sure it was.” She put down her coffee and the brown tote she carried, then sat in the chair Seb vacated. “How are you feeling?”

He put his hands down, thankful she dropped the matter. “Still like I got hit by a truck, but that it was a slightly smaller truck.”

“That’s good. How soon until you can blow this pop stand?”

“The nurse said the doctor would be in soon to give me a final once over. After that, we just have to wait for him to input the orders.”

“I guess it’s good I brought breakfast, then.” She opened her bag and pulled out a sack from Peppy Brewster. “London got ambitious while she was helping at the coffee shop yesterday and made all kinds of stuff for Macy to sell. I snagged some of her cinnamon rolls.” She handed him a clear plastic box and a fork.

Declan’s mouth watered as he took them from her. He didn’t care that he already ate some powdered scrambled eggs and chewy bacon. London’s rolls were legendary.

“Wait!” She laid a hand over his. “You’re allowed to have that, right?”

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