Page 197 of Torrid Passion
“I gather my modest house on the island is still to your liking.”
“Modest?” Loki chuckles.
“It’s all relative,” Larkin says.
“Well, I like it so much, I might have to buy yourmodesthouse off you,” Loki jokes.
“I like you, Lochlan, but not that much,” Larkin jokes back.
They both laugh.
I feel Larkin’s gaze on me again. “The trip here was long enough. It’s unfair to have you wait any longer.” I’m an open book to this man. “Please take a seat.”
When I turn, four very tall and muscular men I’ve met before get to their feet. Just like Lazarus, they’ve served our country and just like our point person, the Falconers are built like a wall.
“Miss O’Keeffe, you remember, Stewart, Talbot and Lance?” Larkin asks.
“I do.”
Each man nods.
I do the same, meeting their dark gaze.
The Falconer brothers own Falcon Crest Security and Falcon Crest Attorneys. They may be civilians now, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from their buzz cut or military stance.
“Lazarus doesn’t need any introductions,” Larkin says, pointing to the bald man with blue eyes.
After exchanging polite greetings, we all settle around the large oval conference table. Loki sits next to me and I immediately search for his hand under the table. He laces his fingers with mine and squeezes hard. It doesn’t melt away all the anxiety bubbling in my stomach, but once again, I’m reminded I’m not alone in this traumatic ordeal.
“Let’s get started,” Lance says.
“Please,” Loki says.
“First, I’d like to say we apologize it took this long to crack this case,” Lance says. “The hacker behind this works with finesse.”
“So you know who’s responsible for this?” Loki asks.
Since this mess started he’s been so protective of me. I know we have guards posted outside Larkin’s house, but with Loki by my side, I never once felt I was in danger.
“We have a lot to share,” Stewart says.
“Are we going to have to stay in hiding much longer?” I ask.
“Why don’t we start from the beginning,” Talbot suggests.
“We’re eager to find out everything you know,” Loki says.
I nod my approval.
“My brothers and I are here as observers,” Lance says. “Since there are so many layers and Kyla’s cousins are still under our protection, we wanted to be present—”
My heart jumps out of my throat.
“Did something happen to Hayden and Stella?”
Lance’s head snaps my way. “I’m sorry if I’ve alarmed you. That wasn’t my intention. Your cousins are safe. Only a fool would attempt to get to them.”
“Thank God,” I exhale.
