Page 58 of Stay in Your Lane!

Everett and I glanced at each other. The skepticism in his face mirrored exactly what I was feeling. So did the resignation.To some extent, we were probably in over our heads. I could back off as long as my brother kept his word.

“Okay,” I said. “We’ll get out of the way.”

Everett’s scowl deepened, but he didn’t argue with me.

“All right.” Colin exhaled. “Let me do some more digging. See what else I can find.”

“Especially about Detective Reardon?” Everett prodded.

Colin shot him a glare, but sighed and nodded. I understood; you didn’t grow up in a house full of cops and not learn about that damn Blue Code of Silence. Investigating—or worse, turning in—another cop was the realm of Internal Affairs, and there was a reason everybody hated Internal Affairs. Colin would have to tread lightly here, no matter how frustrating that was for Everett and me.

I was about to speak, but right then, a cell phone went off. Everett rolled his eyes and swore as he stepped into the living room to take the call.

I faced my brother again. “You’re really going to look into this, right? You’re not just telling us to shut up?”

“I will,” he said quietly. “But you know how shit like this goes. I have to tread carefully.”

“I know. Just… don’t let it slide, okay?”

Colin’s gaze sharpened. “This guy threatened and assaulted my little brother. I’m not letting a goddamned thing slide.”

Okay, that I could believe, and I relaxed a bit.

Right then, Everett came back into the foyer, pocketing his phone as he did. “That was work. I have to go.”

I could read between those lines. “All right. Text me when you’re done?”

“I will.” He searched my eyes, forehead creased. “Will you be okay?”

“It’s just some bruising,” I insisted. “I’ll be fine.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about.”

I pursed my lips, then repeated, “I’ll be fine. I have a gun.”

Everett chewed the inside of his cheek, obviously conflicted about leaving.

“I’ll stay with him,” Colin said.

Everett and I both turned to him.

“You will?” I asked.

He nodded, thumbing something into his phone. “I’m telling my supervisor right now. Family emergency.”

My stomach somersaulted. Shit. How serious was this that my brother was bailing on work? Especially knowing that word would get back to our dad, because nothing happened in that department without getting back to our dad.

“But what about looking into the case?” Everett asked.

“There’s a lot I can do with a phone and a laptop,” Colin said, still texting. “I’m not going to be putting my feet up and drinking beer.”

Everett frowned but seemed to accept that answer.

“You’re coming to my place, Kyle.” Colin pushed his phone into one of the many compartments on his police belt. “You’ll be safer there.”

“No,” I said. “If someone’s going to come fuck with me, they could hurt my animals. I’m not leaving.”

Colin gave one of thoseGod-my-brother-is-such-an-idiotsighs. “Fine. We’ll stay here. Maybe having my car out front will work as a deterrent.”

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