Page 53 of Stay Baby Stay

Jonah scowls. “We’d have to leave early tomorrow. I’ll call Lamar and ask him and Cherise to hold down the fort at the office. Give him a good excuse.”

“Someone broke into my place,” I say. “I called you to come help me install a security system. Fix the door.”

“That wouldn’t take all day,” Austin says. “But it’s a start.”

Jonah nods in agreement. I lock eyes with him and then Mike.

“I’m not gonna sugarcoat it,” I say. “There’s a more than fair chance that one of us will catch a bullet, or we’ll all get caught. I’d understand if some of y’all want to sit this one out.”

The three of them exchange cautious glances. Finally, Jonah shakes his head.

“Nah, brother,” he says. “We’re with you.”

“A hundred percent,” Austin says.

“I appreciate everyone coming to bat for this one.” I relax against the couch, oddly relieved considering the mission we’ve all just agreed to move forward with. “Jonah, you’re my muscle. Austin, you’re my recon man. Mikey, I’m gonna need you at your B-and-E best for this.”

Mike grins. “Whatever you need, detective.”

“All right, boys.” I lift my can of cola in thanks. “Let’s throw a private party at this fucker’s house he won’t forget.”

Chapter Twenty-one

Holly

Teagan and I return to the house just before sundown, spent and dejected. At least, I’m dejected. Since Mike and Austin are still there, Teagan picks up her phone and orders enough pizzas and wings for everyone.

It’s clear from the conversation while we wait for the food that Cal and his friends have come up with a plan, though they seem reluctant to discuss the details in front of me. I catch snippets of the discussion while lounging on the floor with Teagan, Joey, and Burger. The big furry guy has taken to pressing his massive noggin to my stomach so I can I scratch him behind the ears.

When Cal makes a move to go upstairs after wolfing down a couple of slices, I follow him, using the excuse of the day’s insanities. He closes the guestroom door behind us and immediately draws me in close.

“I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to be alone since you got back,” Cal says. “So much has happened in a day. How’re you holding up?”

“I’m okay,” I tell him. “Tired, but okay.”

Teagan drove us to West Knoxville where we checked out places Kenzie and I had frequented before we moved into the motel. I was feeling anxious about having to approach people, so Teagan let me hold Burger’s leash while she pulled up Kenzie’s Instagram profile on her phone. Most people were willing to talk to us. However, no one claimed to have seen Kenzie.

“You and Jonah both said something at dinner about having to wake up early tomorrow,” I say. “Are you guys going somewhere?”

“We might be.” He slips off his button-down and then grabs the hem of his tee shirt. “It’s better if you don’t know the details.”

“Why’s that?”

I sit on the bed. Cal hangs his shirts in the closet, then unbuckles his belt.

“Because one day you may be asked to testify in a court of law about your knowledge of certain events, and I’d rather you didn’t feel the need to perjure yourself on my account.”

“I guess that means I’m not coming with you.”

Cal steps out of his pants. Just the sight of him standing there in nothing but his boxers makes my pulse flutter.

“I’m afraid this is one mission you can’t tag along on, sweetheart.”

“Is it dangerous?” I reach for his hand. “Should I be worried?”

He shakes his head, though I sense tension in his body. “You and Teagan just concentrate on holding down the fort while we’re gone.”

“That’ll be tough. We still have a lot of places to check out tomorrow. Thankfully Jonah’s sister, Mary, offered to babysit Joey in the afternoon.”

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