Page 179 of Renard's Deliverance

“He can’t be here,” Eli said to Jake who was seated at his desk. Duncan was leaning against the wall behind him. Eli raised his gaze to his brother, giving him a chin nod. “Duncan.”

“Eli. Kellan.”

Jesus. Not exactly a warm, family greeting.

But there was shit going on with the Jones brothers. Why had Shaw returned? How come Remington had taken a temporary job as a doorman?

Anyway, none of his business.

“He’s here because Opal is his family,” Jake explained. “You know the way that Haven works. You weren’t prepared to tell me what was going on over the phone. Plus you told me not to tell Opal that you were coming. I did those two things. However, Alec is here for her.”

“You’re her guardian?” Eli asked Alec.

“No, I’m not,” Alec replied. “But she is part of my family. Renard is her guardian.”

“Renard? The chef who works for Joel Saxon? The guy who was discharged from the military after his team was all killed?” Eli asked. “Jesus. Is he even stable? How can he be anyone’s guardian?”

“I don’t think we’re here to discuss whether Renard is capable of being a good guardian,” Alec snapped. “And do you really think I would allow him to be the guardian of one of my women if he wasn’t?”

Although he couldn’t say that he hadn’t had similar thoughts about Renard. However, he’d proven him wrong.

He and Opal seemed right together.

And the way the guy had looked and acted while she’d been taken?

Yeah. Alec had changed his mind about him.

And he now had a lot of respect for him.

“Yeah. Him,” Alec said, crossing his arms over his chest. “So you want to tell me why I’m here to discuss something about Opal?”

Not that he didn’t want to know what the fuck was going on.

He did.

However, Renard should be here.

“And why I’m here as well.” Saxon stepped into the room.

Fuck.

This really wasn’t good.

“Seriously, Jake,” Eli snapped. “I get that you’re the sheriff of a town that thinks they are above the rules. However, you are not. And neither of them should be here.”

“They’re here because this town has its own rules,” Jake replied. “And you damn well know it seeing as you lived here for eighteen years.”

“Got out of here quick,” Eli muttered.

“The way we grew up wasn’t Jake’s fault,” Duncan said quietly. “What happened to us wasn’t on him. Or on this town, although some people failed us. All the blame lies with our old man.”

Kellan placed his hand on Eli’s shoulder as he went to retort.

“Renard should be here because he’s Opal’s guardian,” Jake said quietly. “And you both know that. But it’s only been a few days since Opal was kidnapped and beaten. So she needs him with her. Also, he’s got a slight temper issue. And any threat to her is gonna be met with a lot of resistance.”

“Threat?” Alec whispered. “What threat to Opal?”

Whatever it was, Alec would need to make it disappear.

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