Page 67 of Deep Waters
Gran covered her eyes. “Watch where you’re pointing that thing!”
“The overhead light?” I asked dryly.
“These old eyes don’t adjust like they used to,” she scolded. “I figured you’d all have calmed down a bit, given Brandon’s in jail.”
“Yeah, but I’m still wary of intruders.”
“I’m not an intruder; I’m your grandmother.”
“And it’s late,” I said.
She flicked a hand. “My date ran long.”
Her pink hair was smushed to one side, her lipstick smeared. She’d either been on a bender or had a hell of a good time on her date. Maybe both.
“Anyone I know?” I asked before considering that I really didn’t want to know.
“Ollie Reyes,” she responded airily, gathering the last of her things and slinging her bag over her shoulder. “I’m headed home for the night. Jia’s guest room is nice enough, but now that you don’t need me, I’d rather sleep in my own bed.”
She snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot—I left the combination for the safe on a sticky note on the fridge if you need it.”
“If we…”
She wiggled her fingers. “G‘night. Tell Rae I said I’ll see her at the next family dinner. I’m glad you kids have finally hooked up.”
I stared after her, half-wondering if she was a dream or nightmare. If I found the sticky note in the morning, I’d have my answer. Slowly, I made my way back upstairs, dropping Tae’s bat outside his door and slipping back under the covers with Rae.
She muttered in her sleep, turning into me. She was too cute, with her mussed curls and pink cheeks. A smile tugged at my lips. Gran was onto something with the guest room. It was fine, but being home was much better. I brushed a kiss across Rae’s forehead, smiling against her soft skin when she murmured a few unintelligible words of contentment. Yep, home was pretty damn perfect.
I was frying bacon when Rae joined me downstairs the next morning. She slid into my arms for a quick kiss and asked, “Did I dream that you got up in the middle of the night?”
“Nope. I heard something downstairs and thought we had another burglar. Turned out to be Gran, back from her date to pick up her stuff.”
“So she’s gone?”
I nodded. “But not without leaving us a little present.”
Rae wrinkled her nose. “Do I want to know?”
A low laugh rumbled through my chest. “In this case, yes.” I tilted my head toward the fridge. “She left us the safe combination.”
Rae’s eyes widened, fully awake. “She did? Did you try it?”
“Not yet. I wanted to wait for you.”
“Oooh. Gimme.” She grabbed the lime-green note in my grandmother’s scrawl, and I followed her into the living room.
The safe looked innocent enough. But what about the contents? I’d been too tired to even think of questioning Gran last night.
Rae spun the dial, twisting it to match the numbers Gran provided. With apop, it swung open.
Rae rooted around inside, frowning. “There’s nothing here.”
“Nothing at all?”
“Nope.” She held my gaze. “Does that mean we still have a problem?”
“If Brandon isn’t the only one looking for whatever it is, then yes.” I tugged at my bottom lip. “If no one else is looking, or his intel was bad, then no... What was Jordan into?”
