Page 83 of Under Fire

“Of course. Take the bed, too. I’ll stay out here with whoever is on watch.”

“Don’t leave the suite. If there’s trouble, come to me.”

“I will.”

He looked at Trent, who popped off a snappy salute with amusement glittering in his eyes. Smart aleck. After a quick shower, he fell onto the bed and dropped into sleep.

At eight, he woke up, alert. Time to get moving. He wanted to track down the other players in this mess and figure out who was targeting Delilah. The sooner he got her out of Harmony the better for his peace of mind.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Matt pounded on Zach’s door. When the knock didn’t bring a response, he rang the doorbell. Inside the house, something crashed to the floor and broke. More thumps. Swearing, growing more distinctive as Delilah’s brother approached the door. “Zach isn’t in a good mood.”

Her brother fumbled with the locks, uttering blistering curses, and threw open the door. “Do you know what time it is?” He stopped complaining when his gaze focused on Matt and Delilah. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s 9:30.” Delilah shifted closer. “Why are you still in bed?”

“Sleeping, not that it’s any business of yours. I was up late.”

She fanned a hand in front of her face. “You smell like a brewery, bro.”

“Don’t like it? Get out of my face, Dee. You’re the one who showed up without warning. Too freaking early to deal with you.” He turned and attempted to close the door in their faces.

Matt’s booted foot was on the threshold. “We need to talk. Go shower. You have coffee?”

“Buy your own. I’m not running a coffee shop.”

“Get moving, Zach, or I’ll dump you in a cold shower myself.”

“Go, Zach.” Delilah pushed past her brother. “We’ll be in the kitchen.”

“I should go back to bed and make you wait until I’m ready to get up,” he muttered.

“Try it and I’ll drag your lazy keister into the shower.” Matt closed the front door and locked it.

“You can’t talk to me that way. This is my house. You’re here uninvited.”

“If you want to see a penny of the money Mom left to you before this time next year, get in the shower.” Delilah turned her back on Zach and stalked to the back of the house.

“Did you know the police took your stepfather in for questioning yesterday?”

Shock filled his eyes. “What?”

“We’ll tell you the details when you shower and dress.”

Zach staggered from the room as Matt tracked Delilah by the sound of slamming cabinet doors.

He stopped in the kitchen doorway and leaned against the frame. Watching Delilah in a temper was a new experience. Matt made a mental note to check the strength of his cabinet hinges at home. At some point, he’d make Delilah angry. Might be wise to make sure his kitchen would hold up to a show of temper from the woman he planned to marry as fast as he could talk her into it.

Telling Delilah he loved her would be a good first step in accomplishing that goal. Soon. This wasn’t the time or place to bare his heart. “Want some help?”

“Measure the coffee. I’m tempted to double the amount of coffee required for spite.”

He whistled softly. “You have a mean streak, love.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “That’s a new nickname.”

“Do you like it?”

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