Page 17 of The Night Ride
“Anything else he suggest?”Aiden asked studying me.
I blew out a frustrated breath.I really didn’t want to discuss the matter.The betrayal was lodged within my chest.All I wanted to do was rage, scream, and cry but instead I had to put on a brave face like always.“That I install secret cameras in the front of the bakery by the registers making sure to get proper angles of them and then in the back as well where the cash is stored.”
“We could handle that,” Aiden stated.“I know how to do that.I know the equipment you would need.It might take a few days to get the proper equipment here.”
The last thing I wanted was Aiden in town for a few days.“I thought about using a local company.”
Aiden waved my comment off.“No need.I can set it up for you in a jiff once I get the right equipment.”
“What else do you need?”Wyatt asked.
“I don’t know.Truly.It’s the first time I’ve had someone steal from me like this.”But I did.I wanted a vacation from my life for a few days.Even a few days to curl up in bed and lick my wounds.I felt like I was about to lose my mind.
“Well, Aiden’s right and the best man to handle the job.He can install it for you in a matter of days.”Wyatt agreed with a slight nod.
I couldn’t believe I was going to suggest this but fuck it.It’s what my brother would want me to do, anyway.And it felt like I was honoring him in a way.“I’m done here and will be heading home.Do you guys have anywhere to stay tonight?”
“If you know of a motel nearby, we can set up shop there,” Wyatt said, scratching his head.
“You don’t have to do that.Why don’t you come to my house?It’ll be a tight fight since my house isn’t that big, but I can put you guys up for a few days.”At least I had alcohol at the house.Because if there was ever a day that called for a glass of wine, it’s today.
“We’d appreciate it.”Lucas slung an arm around my shoulder.“And if you have any of those peanut butter chocolate chip cookies around, I’d love to buy some.”
“Let me give you my address—”
Wyatt scoffed.“No need.We have it already.Evan gave it to us.”
“Evan gave…” I shook my head.“Fine.I’ll grab some cookies, free of charge, and meet you at my house.”
“We’ll wait and follow you home.”Wyatt indicated with Aiden and Lucas nodding in agreement.
I learned long ago that it was pointless arguing with a SEAL.Once they made their mind up about something, best of luck getting them to change it.
And I was going to have them in my house for the foreseeable future.God help me.
Chapter five
11YearsAgo
The hours since I arrived home from school had crawled by.My brother was coming home today!
Evan’s a Navy SEAL and was stationed overseas most of the time.Since he joined the Navy when I was eight, I didn’t see him often.But we emailed each other all the time.He was ten years older than me.Mom and Dad had given up trying for a second kid after years of trying.But then Mom wound up pregnant with me, and then with our baby sister, Nora, two years later.
Evan enlisted in the Navy when I was only eight.I only got to see him sporadically because of it.But I loved him.He was my big brother.And he was always interested in what I was doing with my life.Especially since Dad died from lung cancer right before he joined the Navy.
Evan was on leave for just a few days before he had to report back to his base in Norfolk, Virginia.But it’s also why mom was letting me stay home from school on Friday and I had scored a three-day weekend off from school.
I was in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dessert.Dinner was in the oven and would be ready shortly.After dad died, I took over many of the household chores including the cooking.But cooking was something I enjoyed.It was therapeutic.And ever since I took that cooking class in school, I was getting pretty good.
Cooking and baking were simply basic measurements, anyway.While math wasn’t my strongest subject, I could handle the basics.
“Honey, I’m home!”My brother’s voice boomed followed by male laughter.
Evan was home.Joy burst inside my chest at hearing his voice again.
He had one of his SEAL team buddies visiting with him.Apparently, his friend’s family was out of town while they were on leave.My mom and sister stopped setting the table and dashed toward the front door.I was about to race there myself when the oven timer beeped.
Sighing, I switched the timer off.I always had to mind my responsibilities first before any frivolities.But given I didn’t want to burn the special dinner I made for Evan and his friend, I donned oven mitts and pulled the roast out the oven.
