Page 34 of Tough as Steele

“Ha-ha,” she said. “But seriously. I planned to wear a silk pantsuit, but my mom convinced me that I had to fit in better.”

“Mission accomplished.”

“But now the mission has changed, and I’d like to be on more equal footing with you.”

“We’re not in competition.”

“Aren’t we?”

“Not that I can admit and not disregard my LT’s instructions.” He grinned.

She smiled back at him, and he loved the softness that took her expression. A warm, friendly vibe that he’d seen little of tonight. Partially his fault. He’d bucked her from their first words.

“No problem on stopping,” he said. “Put your address in the GPS.”

She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. He caught that sweet smell of peaches rising from her hair again but made himself keep his focus on the road.

She sat back, and he felt her gaze on him. “I have to warn you though. I live with my two sisters and three female cousins. They’re all bound to be home right now, and if I know my dad, he told them about the kidnapping, and they’re all up trying to figure out how to help.”

“Six of you, huh? Must be a big house.”

“It is. One of the many old homes in Laurelhurst.”

“Pricey neighborhood.”

“We pooled our money and bought when the market was down. I’d suggest you wait in the car, but they’re all either former or current law enforcement officers, and they might have an insight on Mimi’s abduction that we didn’t think of.”

He thought they’d covered every aspect, but he would do anything to find Mimi so he would talk to her family. “Did you tell everyone about the abduction?”

She shook her head, and thick waves brushed over her shoulders. “Not everyone, but the Vandervoort contract is so important to us that I’m sure my dad updated them.”

“Does everyone work for Steele Guardians?”

She shook her head. “Three of the six, but there’s been increasing pressure to bring the rest of us in. Especially since my brother, Thomas, died.”

“I’d heard about his murder. That must’ve been hard to lose him that way.”

“It was rough.” She clasped her hands together. “Is still rough. I was suddenly the oldest sibling in the family. Now I do my best to keep it all together for my sisters. Even my parents. They’ve suffered so badly. I’d do anything to take the pain from them.”

“I’d like to do the same thing for Clarice right now,” he said and wondered what it was about Londyn that kept drawing out his personal thoughts.

She pointed ahead. “Driveway’s full. You’ll have to park on the street.”

He looked at the large historical home ahead. Two stories, it was painted white with crisp black trim. A wide staircase led up to the porch that ran the width of the house. A second story balcony was protected with wrought iron rails, and neat-as-a-pin, lush landscape highlighted by landscape lighting surrounded the house.

“Wow,” he said. “It’s in perfect condition.”

“We spent years of sweat equity in renovating it.”

“From what I can see, you did a great job.”

“Doesn’t hurt that Peyton inherited Gran’s gardening skills, and she’s super neat, so the yard always looks perfect.”

“Maybe send her to my house.” He chuckled and parked on the street out front.

By the time he got out, she was already clipping up those brick stairs in her super high heels, her toned legs something to look at. Six stairs led to a landing and then another six to the wide porch with wicker furniture holding fluffy cushions. He could imagine sitting out there after a hard day and relaxing. Problem was, he could see himself sitting there with Londyn at his side, a cold drink in one hand, her hand in the other.

Madness.He forced the thoughts from his mind and prepared himself to meet five women, who, if they were in law enforcement, likely were forces to be reckoned with.

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