Page 56 of Broken

He rubs a hand over his stubble, and his lips curve as he sighs. “What can I say? The love of a good woman does something to a man.”

“Yeah. And I also know that your wife loves this sort of work, and that you and your brothers would do anything to make her happy, so it’s almost like I’m doing you a favor if you think about it.”

He chuckles. “You’re a cocky fucker, and I like that. But yeah, she does love it, and it sure as hell keeps her out of trouble. And if there is one thing my wife is good at finding, it’s fucking trouble.” He shakes his head.

“This is nothing dangerous. I just need information on a murder that happened seventeen years ago.”

His green eyes narrow. “And why is it delicate?”

“The victim was my wife’s father. I’d rather not let anyone know I’m looking into it.”

He gives a knowing nod. “I’ll give her your number and you can tell her what you need. No sense in me continuing as the go-between if she’s going to keep doing this kind of work for you.”

“I appreciate that, Shane.” I’m fully aware of the trust he’s placing in me. The Ryan brothers might share their wife with each other, but they’re notoriously possessive of her—bordering on rabid—when it concerns anyone else. “I wish she’d let me pay her for her time and effort.”

He shakes his head. “I already told you, she doesn’t give a fuck about money. Make a donation to charity instead.”

“Yeah, I will.” I know the perfect one, and she’ll definitely approve because she helped bring down the fuckers who hurt the woman that set it up.

“So, your wife?” Shane asks, and my hackles rise.

“What about her?”

“It was sudden. I never thought I’d see the day you settled down. I guess I’m curious.”

“She’s one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met,” I tell him honestly.

“I hope she brings you some of the peace you need, Nathan.”

I frown at him. “You think I need peace?”

He sucks on his top lip for a second, then gives one firm nod of his head. “I think all men like us need peace. Not that we’re ever willing to admit that until we find it.”

“And who exactly are men like us, Shane?”

“Men who don’t know we’re broken until someone comes along and fixes us.”

Chapter

Thirty

MELANIE

Ishovel a spoonful of cereal into my mouth as I scroll through the pictures Tyler sent me from his date at a miniature golf place last night. He’s such a cliché. A smile spreads across my face and milk drips down my chin.

Damn! I wipe it with the sleeve of my pajama shirt, and that’s when I see him leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen with his arms folded over his chest, looking sexier than any person has a right to look.

“How long have you been standing there?”

He grins. “Long enough to watch you inhale that bowl of Fruity Pebbles.”

My cheeks heat with embarrassment. “I didn’t get a chance to have lunch today because we were so busy. I thought you were working late or I would have cooked.”

He crosses the room and leans against the countertop beside me. “We got everything worked out early.”

“Have you eaten?”

He shakes his head. “But I see something delicious that I’d love to devour right now.” He dips his head and runs his tongue from my collarbone to my ear, making me shiver.

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