Page 15 of Control Line

Chapter Six

The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the Malones were out in full force, along with the members of the fire, police, and community at large. But Barney’s thoughts were on his irresistible neighbor who had yet to make an appearance.

His main objective when he left her place last night was to woo his way into her bed, and while that was still burning up his thoughts, he found it was no longer his primary objective. He was an asshole through and through, or so he’d been told, but he wasn’t the kind of asshole to take advantage of a vulnerable woman just to get laid.

That whole thought process rankled him because he damn sure wasn’t the type she needed to rebound with. Zee needed someone who could care for her heart and Barney just didn’t think he had that in him.

What he could offer her was a to bring Zero Kelvin out of the frying pan and into the fire. He could still get what he wanted and offer her healing in the process, he just needed to be honest with what he offered. He couldn’t help with all her issues, but there were a few he thought he’d be equipped to handle.

The problem was doing it in such a way as to protect both their hearts.

Her whispered confessions last night brought him to his knees. The pain radiated off of her and penetrated through the door. Barney was sure she only confessed to him because she convinced herself he wasn’t really there, but he’d heard every syllable she uttered.

Goal number one was to get her comfortable with him. Maybe he could watchhernext time instead of just listening through the door like a creep. He was getting hard just thinking about her watching him. Barney had a bit of an exhibitionist streak in him. He’d bet Zee did, too.

“What did you do to my friend Zee, Barney? Were you your typical rude self?” Barney turned from the long table where they’d set up the food to find Emerson strolling toward him.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because I don’t see her out here yet and you’re, well, you? You either pissed her off or tried to get in her pants, or both?”

Barney winked. “Awww, I love you, too.”

“Seriously, please tell me you weren’t yourself. I got the impression she needs some kindness in her life.”

Emerson was correct in her assumption. More so than she even knew. “I was a perfect gentleman. Scout’s honor.”

“Pfft, you were never a scout.” She punched him in the arm.

“Ouch. Okay, I was a bit of an ass at first, but then I helped her move and she even helped make my chili for today, so there.” He stuck his tongue out like a child.

“Uh, huh.” Emerson walked over to Zee’s door and knocked. Barney waited with bated breath to get his first glimpse of her today. When she cracked the door, he couldn’t see around Emerson, who slipped inside.Damn it.

“What’s up, Barney? All settled in?” Cap clapped him on the back, taking him by surprise.

“Oh, hey.” Barney turned and stirred the chili. “Yep, all settled. I just wanted to say I’m sorry for losing my shit the other day. I do appreciate the help. . .”

He let his words trail off. Barney wasn’t the greatest at the emotional stuff.

“No need for thanks. We’ve always got your back. Anything new on that front?”

“Nothing since we last talked, but I’m expecting some paperwork tomorrow that should hold a little more info. I just can’t wait to find out who this asshole is. Was. I hate that I’ll never be able to look him in the eye and ask him why, you know?” Barney stirred the chili once more even though it wasn’t needed. “I can, however, ask his family what the hell when I find out who they are. I mean, how could they stand back knowing he was pretending to be someone he wasn’t? Ruining my fucking life.”

“Winslow,” his Cap scolded. It was stupid to hate a name so much, Winslow William Barnes III. He loved his dad and grandpa, God rest, but did they have to stick him with that moniker? “Will confronting a bunch of innocent people honestly make you feel better in the long run?”

“Innocent? They ruined my life. Took everything from me.” Barney was letting his temper get the best of him and he hated that.

“Yes, they are innocent. They didn’t steal your identity.” With a firm hand, he halted the protest perched on Barney’s lips. “They didn’t, and you have zero evidence that they, whoever they are, were even aware of his deception.”

Barney was fired up now, his sexy neighbor forgotten. “How can you defend them?”

“How can you condemn them?”

“How? THEY TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME.”

Before he thought about who he was talking to, his crew had flanked the captain, who was in his face and barely holding on to his control.

“First, remember who the fuck you’re talking to.” The words were spit right into his face at a chillingly low volume. “Second, think about what you’re saying. You are talking about going after someone’s family and you don’t even have all the information. What if this guy had no family, or even worse, what if he had kids? Do you think they deserve some angry asshole showing up at their home, dismantling their lives, and saying things about their father that are not so flattering, true or not? Hurting them won’t gain you a damn thing, but think of what damage you could do.”

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