Page 64 of Courting Gossip (Courting)
Brody nodded as he stepped into the kitchen, and Darien jerked his chin up in response. Brody wanted this over and done as quickly as possible. He looked at the set-up. There was room for four at the kitchen table by the window, and, with food in boxes and Styrofoam containers, it seemed like the best option. The lower-key he kept this, the better.
He moved to the cupboard to get plates. ‘You work for Luxxor?’ he asked.
‘Nope.’ The man wasn’t forthcoming with his place of employment.
Brody nodded towards the spot where Darien was unconsciously rubbing his stomach. ‘Do you need some ice or something?’
He planted his hand on his hip. ‘I’m good.’
‘An injury?’
‘Got knifed.’
Brody’s head swung around. ‘You’re screwing with me.’
Darien shook his head slowly. ‘Someone came after Rielle. I wasn’t going to let that happen.’
Brody put the plates on the counter. ‘I get that.’
‘I thought you might.’ The man crossed his arms over his chest, and his biceps bulged. It wasn’t that he was overly big or bulked out. It was more about the way he held himself, and the way he watched everything as if he was always on guard or ready to strike. ‘I was sent here to make sure you’re treating Red right.’
Brody paused while getting the silverware out of the drawer.
‘Am I going to get stabbed again?’ Darien asked dryly.
‘You’re getting close.’
‘Good,’ the tough guy said. He broke rank and went to the table to unload the food from the bags.
Brody frowned.
‘I’d break your wrist before you could get close, but it’s the thought that counts.’ The man opened a container and peered inside. He put it at the seat next to him. ‘Genieve’s important to Rielle and the people at Luxxor. It’s good to know she’s important to you, too.’
Brody cleared his throat. ‘My client needs this swept under the rug. It only makes sense to give her a place to hide.’
Darien laughed. ‘Right. And you decided to tuck her into your bed for safekeeping.’
Brody went glacial. Friend or not, the guy needed to tread carefully when talking about Jenny. He might not be able to beat him in battle, but, with a name and not much more, he could find information to end him. ‘Watch it.’
Darien looked at him impassively. ‘You know, I heard you were a viper, but in this case I think that may be a good thing.’ He pointed a stern finger. ‘Just don’t fuck her over.’
Brody bristled, but heard the steady stream of female chatter coming down the hallway. ‘You take care of your girl, I’ll take care of mine.’
Darien nodded. ‘Fair deal.’
Rielle and Genieve walked into the room, and Brody’s gaze naturally honed in on the redhead. She was wearing the sundress she’d managed to save from the bread fiasco. It looked breezy and sexy on her. She was infused with energy, and the smile on her face made him ache. She’d given him that smile a time or two now, but he only now realised how much this situation had worn on her. She should be smiling like that all the time.
Her grin widened as she took a deep whiff of the food they’d set out. ‘Oh, that smells good. I’m so hungry.’
She tucked up against his side, and Brody draped his arm around her uncertainly. He supposed it was no secret. They’d been stripped down when their guests had arrived and they were bringing them a stinking sex contract, but still…he wasn’t used to such open and natural easiness around people. Or such trust.
He pulled out a chair for her while Darien passed a white box to Rielle. ‘Here’s your broccoli beef.’
‘Mmmm, thank you for bringing this,’ Genieve said.
‘I got orange chicken for you, but we weren’t sure what you like, Brody.’ Rielle smiled softly. ‘We brought an assortment.’
Brody decided he liked the pretty brunette. She was sweet, but there was an element of iron beneath it. She’d stood toe-to-toe with him at the door to get in to see her friend. ‘I’m not picky.’
