Page 35 of Tough as Steele

She unlocked the ornate door, and female voices carried out to them, along with the aroma of pizza. His stomach rumbled in appreciation.

“Hungry?” Londyn asked.

“Missed dinner, but I’ll be fine. But pizza in the middle of the night?”

“Not unusual for us. We often make it when we’re trying to work out a problem.” She took him into a hallway with what looked like original wood floors. A craftsman type banister on a staircase loomed directly ahead.

The space was clean and furnished with contemporary furniture that should look all wrong in the space but didn’t.

“Sounds like they’re awake and in the den.” She turned left into a large room with French doors, a fireplace, and two comfy sofas, where the women sat.

A few pieces of pizza sat on a large pan on the maple coffee table.

Almost in unison the women turned to peer at him, and he felt the strength of their gazes. He admired women who worked in law enforcement. Took guts and strength, because, even in these days when things should be equal for the sexes, it was still a harder field for women than men.

“This is Detective Nate Ryder with Washington County,” Londyn said. “Thought you all might be up.”

“Hard to sleep after Dad’s news,” the redhead said, her blue eyes dark with concern. “And we figured you might need help.”

“We might at that,” Londyn said. “Introduce yourselves while I get changed.”

She spun and hurried out of the room. He had no idea that she planned to leave him straight away and unease set in, something he rarely faced. He didn’t know what to say so he just took in their faces, all having a strong family resemblance. The only way he was going to tell them apart at first was by their hair. The redhead who’d already spoken, one blonde, and three brunettes with hair of varying lengths.

“Don’t worry,” the closest woman, who had short dark hair, said. “We won’t bite.”

“Not too hard, anyway.” The woman, who looked much like a younger version of Londyn, grinned.

“Teagan Steele.” The woman who looked to be the oldest had an intensity in her gaze beneath dark shoulder-length hair. She stood and held out her hand. “COO of Steele Guardians.”

“Chief Operating Officer.” He shook her firm grip. “You call the shots then.”

She released his hand. “Day to day operations, yes, but the company direction and finances are a joint decision.”

“Hey, now.” The redhead stood and planted hands on a trim waist. “As CFO, I’d like to think I control the finances.”

“Oh, you do, don’t worry.” The only blonde wrinkled her nose. “More than we would like.”

“We’re just not ready to admit it,” the woman with the dark pixie cut said. “I’m Ryleigh. Baby of the family and FBI agent working in cybercrimes.”

“The one who got the video files for us.” He smiled. “Thank you.”

“I should’ve said I’m Peyton.” The redhead gave him a quick once over. “A former Multnomah County Deputy.”

“And I’m Bristol,” the one who’d cracked the joke said.

“Beware of her,” Teagan said. “She’s the family joker, and her wisecracks are often bad enough to make you roll your eyes.” Teagan grinned.

“So let me get this straight,” he said. “Peyton and Teagan are in charge of Steele Guardians.”

Teagan nodded. “Along with Mackenzie. We’re hoping the others will eventually join us.”

The blonde flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Mackenzie. Chief Information Officer.”

Nate shook his head and held up a hand. “Too much to remember. Even for a detective. Please stand if you’re Londyn’s sisters?”

Bristol and Peyton got up. Bristol looked like a younger version of Londyn with long, nearly black hair and an ivory complexion. Not Peyton with her chin-length red hair and rosy skin tone. Their hair color looked natural, but then what did he know.

“You can remember my sisters and me because we’re named after cities,” Peyton said. “Even if mine comes from a small town in Colorado that no one’s ever heard of.”

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