Page 17 of Dubious Match
“Well Bret Harris is dead, so he’s not using it anymore,” Caleb says morbidly.
Smirking, I nod. “Exactly, but this is too much of a coincidence, right? So I’m keeping tabs on Madam Clare andher auction. However, if she were smart, she wouldn’t be in Minnesota or anywhere nearby,” I add. “Cian is focused on finding those who were in the van that disappeared.”
“I appreciate it all,” Caleb says. “We were so fucking close.”
“That we were,” I murmur, holding my empty glass up for a refill.
“We are quite a trio,” he says, refilling my glass. “I have a proposal.”
“Fuck,” Lars says. “These never end well. Pour me some more.”
Smirking, Caleb does before topping his own glass off.
“The three of us are in a rut,” he says. “We’re doing whatever we can to find our sisters. That’s all the universe can ask of us. We’ve never forgotten them, we think about them often. Now, I propose that we choose us for once.”
“Out with it, troublemaker,” Lars says, picking up a brownie and taking a bite. “Fuck, chocolate really does help when the world decides to piss on us. Double chocolate, Hol.”
“Bless you,” I say happily. I’m still working on my lemon square, but I’ll be taking a brownie home if I don’t have room for one tonight.
“You two and your sweet treats,” Caleb teases, grabbing a brownie for himself. Taking a bite, he savors it with a sigh. “I take it back. Fuck me, bro. These are amazing.”
“You’re welcome and no thank you,” Lars deadpans.
The alcohol and sugar is working its way through my body, helping me to step away from all the big shit looming over me. A giggle slips out of my lips as I decide to just enjoy my friends. Our problems will still be there tomorrow.
“Now what’s the great idea?” I ask.
“We go on dates,” Caleb says. “Toss Lars and I into the mixer, please. While we put on our big boy pants and attend that, youare going to spend some more time with your scent matches. If you kill them, Lars and I will help you hide the bodies.”
Lars makes a strangled sound deep in his throat, scowling. He is the gentlest of us all unless it's necessary to be otherwise, and deeply dislikes speaking about killing people unless he’s really pissed off.
You’d never know that in another life I was an enforcer. We all make our own decisions, and his was to leave the mafia world behind completely. Caleb is more in tune with the inner workings of things, but he’s always been a rebel.
“Ugh, fine. I’m only doing this because I think it may be the only way to keep Hollis from putting herself on a shelf,” Lars groans.
“Me!” I gasp. “Are we really going to make this about me?”
“Oh yeah,” Lars smirks. “When in doubt, I’m going to blame you, Hol.”
“So unfair,” I complain, polishing off the last of my sweet treat.
Caleb lifts up his drink to toast, waiting for Lars and I follow suit.
“To getting Hollis laid,” Caleb says just as our glasses clink together.
Ugh. I really do love these fuckers.
Four
NOVA
I’m driving to a home visit for an expecting mom currently, cursing out Minneapolis traffic. I’ve been drifting from city to city for my clients over the past ten years, providing care and loving every second of bringing babies earth side.
There’s something so magical about supporting mothers as they give birth.
I’m trying very hard to maintain a serene feeling, but I’m not having much luck at the moment.
“Jiminy Cricket!” I curse as someone cuts me off on the road.
