Page 80 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
She and Robbie shared a shocked look as they followed him, shooting Tim and Reagan an assuring smile as they paused in their sandcastle making.
Robbie snagged his brother’s arm, halting him while he was still on the beach. Billie’s easy grin was gone, replaced by aready to brawlset of his jaw and big body. Lily approached cautiously. Did Billie have deeper feelings for Sheila than he’d let on since learning the truth? Sheila had been realistic about Billie’s lighthearted reaction, saying he went through women like Lily went through coconut water. Tim had later commented that this O’Connor brother didn’t do the green-eyed monster.
She laid a gentle hand on Robbie’s arm as she heard Billie’s teeth grind together. Sheila punched Tyler playfully in the arm after he set her down, falling into their comfortable rhythm, but Lily wanted to wince as she imagined the scene through Billie’s eyes. The noon sun was practically glowing on the six-foot-five blond agent. Sheila had joked Tyler’s good looks made her believe in God last night as they’d all had their final dinner together after the kids went to bed. Billie had laughed along with everyone else—before Tim had started all of his Shakespeare nonsense again about Tyler being a rose…
“You know, Billie—I’ve lost count of the number of cases Agent Darren and Sheila have worked on together,” Lily said, doing her best to be diplomatic and save Robbie from having to step in.
She and Robbie were still finding their groove—as lovers and as professionals—but so far, they seemed to have the whole complementary leadership thing down pat. He could be the bad cop, and she excelled at making things work as the good one, so to speak.
Buck had told her he liked Robbie after their first joint operational call, and Buck didn’t even like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, saying the holiday sham led to increased crime.
“Their rapport is part of what makes them so successful,” she continued, trying to assure him.
“They certainly have some rapport,” Billie commented darkly.
She immediately shelved the idea of suggesting he take a gander at the sports car Tyler had driven down for their photo and video op—an orange McLaren. Somehow, she thought that would only make things worse. “You don’t need to meet him. In fact, why don’t you give us a moment to talk to Tyler alone, Billie?”
“There’s no need for that,” Robbie said, facing his brother. “Right, Billie? In fact, it’s downright rude of you to pull this attitude. You assured everyone you were good with this situation.”
“That was before I saw this joker!” He gestured rudely in Tyler’s direction. “You can’t trust a man that pretty. He looks like he went to Harvard—”
“He did,” Lily murmured, not surprised someone from Southie would feel angst toward someone in that part of Boston.
“And I’ll bet you a beer at Danny’s he was in one of those fancy fraternities—”
“Billie, there’s a lot more to Tyler than meets the eye,” she interjected, because Tylerhadbeen in one of the most exclusive fraternities on campus. “I wouldn’t choose another agent for this job. I promise you.”
Robbie got in his brother’s face. “Don’t you dare fuck this up by being jealous over a woman you assured me and everyone else was just a fun time,” he said between clenched teeth. “And don’t insult Lily. Ever.”
God, he really was her knight in shining armor.
Billie held up his hands immediately. “Look, I meant no insult. Okay? But Robbie, tell me you trust that guy. Because that jackass looks more like a pretty boy who’s more inclined to lap dance someone than to read them their rights.”
“You’re making no sense, Billie.” Robbie punched the air. “Is he a stripper or a Harvard asshole?”
Lily cleared her throat loudly as Sheila and Tyler both looked over. “Brothers! They’re going to miss each other so much. Hey, Tyler! I’ll be with you in a just a sec. Good to see you, man.”
Robbie poked his brother in the chest as she forced a smile at their audience. “Billie,” he said in a hard undertone, “so help me… If Lily says he’s a hardened FBI agent, you believe her. I do.”
She couldn’t help but get a happy little glow from the way he was backing her. Since he’d set aside his own reservations, he’d been with her every step of the way, smoothing anything needed—including Reagan’s fears about leaving without him, which she voiced at bedtime last night. That had torn him up, but it had also made him more focused.“The Kellys have to go down because I can’t take seeing tears in that little girl’s eyes ever again,”he’d told her, and she’d fallen even more in love with him.
“I’m only being protective because that joker is going to put his hands on…Tara,” Billie spat out badly.
Even Lily knew he’d meant to say Sheila. Tension raced up her spine as Robbie stepped even closer to his brother. “That’s not what this is about, and you know it. You and me are going to have a problem if you do or say anything to make either Sheila or Tara uncomfortable. Now, smile, dipshit. They’re coming this way.”
Billie elbowed Robbie back, breaking his professional smile for a moment.
“He’s going to behave now, Lily,” Robbie assured her tightly. “Or I’m covering him in jellyfish.”
Lily laughed weakly as Tyler and Sheila reached them. Her partner was practically sashaying over, and she sent her a warning look as she said, “Tyler Darren. Meet Lieutenant Robbie O’Connor and his brother, Billie.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you guys.” Tyler extended his hand to Robbie first. “Nice to meet you, although I know we all wish it wasn’t necessary.”
Lily watched as Robbie clasped his hand. When he needed to, Tyler had a granite handshake, and clearly, he knew it was necessary with the O’Connors. He met Robbie’s eyes head-on, showing him the steel behind his good looks. Should she have mentioned to Billie that Tyler was a Rhodes Scholar? She’d shown Robbie his agent file to assure him of both his competency as well as his track record with the Bureau.
“It’s good to meet you, Agent Darren,” Robbie said in his flat, professional voice. “Lily and Sheila sing your praises, and they’re no pushovers.”
“That’s one of the reasons why I like working with them,” Tyler said, showing his perfect white teeth.
