Page 99 of Our Lips Are Sealed
Samuel nodded. “You know, there’s not a single malicious bone in my brother’s body, but this broke him. When pushed, his anger matches mine, and it’s best to give him a wide berth today, if you can.”
“I’ll let my superiors know to tread lightly with him for the time being.”
“I’d appreciate that. Now, tell me about the girls.”
Liam reminded himself to stay detached, and not let his mind wander to the memory of Jamison intentionally placing herself in harm’s way. She’d held her own yesterday, disabling Toby long enough for him and Samuel to make it over. But still, it should have never come to that, and as far as Liam was concerned, it never would again.
“His plan was to hustle them out to the graveyard and scare them into running through the woods while he took off with Evie. The police found a flatboat waiting in the deeper part of the marsh.”
The color drained from Samuel’s face. “What was he going to do to her?”
“He hasn’t said, but I don’t think he wanted to hurt her.”
Samuel went quiet for a long minute. “Cohen, if there’s ever a chance he might go free—“
“You’ll be the first to know,” he assured him. “How’s Evie doing?”
“She’s trying not to think about it, which worries me. Evangeline has a habit of burying things until they boil over. She’s already had one mini breakdown this morning, but I think that’s just the beginning.”
“Ben’s going to need help.” Liam had watched him closely after they extracted Toby from the woods. Samuel’s father was not handling the events and revelations of yesterday very well. “He looks fine on the outside, going through the motions and such, but inside, it’s not the same story.”
“I know,” Samuel replied. “I’m going to talk with him once things settle down around here. Both he and Evie need to start seeing someone who can help them work through all this.”
Haven’s front door opened, and Jamison stuck her head out. “We’re making omelets,” she shouted to them. “Do you want one, Liam?”
“Yes, but don’t make it yet,” he answered, grinning like an idiot at her. God, he had it bad. “I’m going out to the woods before it rains.”
“Okay, text me when you’re on the way back to the house.” Jamison pointed a finger at her brother. “Play nice, Samuel.”
The door closed, and Samuel snorted. “I cannot believe you slept with my sister.”
Liam shrugged. It wasn’t any of his business what he and Jamison did.
Several times.
Until they passed out from exhaustion.
“Was that music I heard?”
Samuel listened for a minute. “It means they’re happy.”
“What?”
A smile did come then, spreading slowly across Samuel’s face until he almost looked unrecognizable. “If Haven House is quiet, something is wrong.”
“Ah, got it.”
“Feel free to ask for guidance when you need it. Those women in there are nothing but forces of nature that can blow a man down without thinking twice, and my sister is no exception.”
Liam didn’t doubt it and went over to open the passenger side door of Evie’s car to retrieve his FBI jacket, carefully avoiding eye contact with Samuel as he slid it on. He would never be able to wear it again without the vision of Jamison in it—and nothing else—popping into his head.
“I do have one question.”
“Ask away.”
“What’s the name of that book series they like to read?” Liam asked, hoping Samuel wouldn’t inquire as to why he wanted to know. “Jamison says she loves it and doesn’t have the latest one. I wanted to pick up a copy for her. I think it’s about fairies or something?”
Samuel’s laugh rang out like a gunshot, startling Liam. “I have no idea, but when you find out what it is, pick me up a copy, too.”
