Page 6 of Silver Secrets

“Funny,” Hawk said as he shoved his tablet where he’d been recording the list of equipment they’d need to order and install back into his bag.

“Jake, you wanna tag along with us to Dolly’s?” Gage asked. “The diner does this amazing Shepherd's Pie once a week. It’s to die for, honestly.”

“The mash potatoes probably have enough butter in them to kill a person, so he’s not far off,” Hawk joked.

“As much as I love Shepherd's Pie, and would like to hang out, guys, I’ve got a long night of organizing inventory here to get through. Thanks for coming out today to get the security figured out. I’ll feel better about stocking this place once I know that’s all installed and there’s an extra layer of protection.”

“Yeah, no problem.” Gage reached out and shook his hand. “It’ll probably take a week for the equipment to show up, and then just a day to install and set up the system.”

“Perfect. I appreciate it.”

* * *

“Looks like Dillon is giving the good doc a hard time.”

Hawk’s words as they walked into the diner had Gage’s head swinging around to see what he was talking about. His eyes narrowed as he watched the way Sloane sat, with her shoulders squared and unease written on her face. Their mailman might not have been the biggest guy, but he was clearly making Sloane anxious, and Gage didn’t like that one fucking bit.

“I’ll be right back.”

He stormed over to the table where Sloane was sitting. Was it all in his imaginations, or had she actually looked relieved to see him?

“Hey, Sloane. What’s going on here?”

“Oh. Mr. Gillus was just trying to get me to agree to put a mailbox on the outside of the building again. But like I’ve mentioned every time he’s asked, I just can’t in good conscience do that. My client’s confidentiality could be compromised and I’m just not willing to take the chance.”

“Ms. Donovan seems to forget that there are a hundred other stops I have to make during the day and none of them fuss about shit like that.”

Gage took a steadying breath. “Well,DoctorDonovan is just about the only other business besides Montgomery Defense that needs to keep confidentiality at the forefront of their business decisions. I don’t see you trying to convince Gunner, Sebastian, or any of the other guys, including myself, to put a mailbox on the outside of our office.”

“What you boys are doing matters though. You’re changing the community. Uplifting. That’s good, decent work. All this mental health nonsense?—”

“I’m gonna stop you right there, Dillon. What Dr. Donovan does for this community is desperately undervalued, exactly demonstrated in that idiotic and frankly sexist rant you were about to go on. She won’t be putting a mailbox on the outside of the building. Bring it up with your postmaster if you have to.”

The man stood staring at Gage, a flicker of anger dancing wildly in his eyes. Let him try something. Gage wouldn’t mind showing Sloane he’d step in and protect her. “Is there something else you need, Dillon? Because if that’s everything you wanted to say to Sloane, then I think you can move along now.”

Gage watched as Dillon walked back towards the counter, pulling out a stool and rounding his shoulders as he peered at them over a menu.

“Why are you sitting all alone over here?” Gage asked, his attention falling back on Sloane.

She lifted her head, looking away from what he assumed were her notes. “I’m just having a quick bite to eat before I head out. It was a chocolate pie kind of day.”

“Hmm… pie for dinner. That bad of a day?”

She smiled. “No, not bad. Fantastic, actually. Well, before that scene with Mr. Gillus. One of my long-term clients shared really wonderful news with me today. I felt like celebrating her, so I stopped in for my favorite pie.”

He studied her for a moment. “I would have bet money on you being a fruit pie fan.”

“Oh, I am. I mean, is there a wrong kind of pie? But chocolate pie is for celebrations.”

“I’ll have to remember that.” Gage’s hand went to the back of his neck as he looked down at Sloane. “So, we’re having family dinner here tonight. Just the guys, Mae, Lily, Sage. Would you want to join us? You can bring your slice if you want to.”

“I’m not part of the family., though.”

“Fuck that.” Sloane’s eyes went wide. “I just meant, of course you are. You’ll always have a seat with us.”

His hand landed next to hers on the table. He wanted to take her plate of pie, hold her hand, and drag her over to their table.

“I’ll have to take a rain check,” she said, putting her hand in her lap and ending any chance that he might have touched her. “I’ve got somewhere to be soon. Only stopped in for the slice of pie.”

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