Page 27 of Sheltered By Love

Chapter Five

Zane

If I wasn’t already thinking about it, her behavior would have confirmed it. She’s hiding something.

What that something is, or whether it relates to anything significant is yet to be seen.

Probably tired of waiting for me, Levi and Jax are installing cameras covering the back of the house.

Something I wish I’d done from the get-go.

They’re hidden from the street, so I skirt the ladder Levi’s on and check to see which areas still need covering.

“Let me know if you need me to watch that side of the house,” he says.

As Levi smirks down at me, I realize that a camera will be looking directly into Felicity’s bedroom.

He points to the other side visible from the street. “You need cameras up there too. You’ll have to make it look like you’re cleaning the guttering or something.”

I peer up at the roof and grimace. Anything to do with the roof was always my job anyway. Levi was too irresponsible, and heights were always Garrett’s kryptonite.

Dad wasn’t always home, so we all learned early how to swing a hammer and nails.

“They’re overdue and it’ll give me a good excuse to hang around anyway,” I say.

Jax bobs his chin at me. “I’ll check in when I’m set up.”

When he slaps my shoulder, I smile. “Thanks. Hope this isn’t going to cost you any business?”

People don’t just go to the Outrigger for drinks, it’s because Jax’s the closest thing to a local legend we have.

We’ve had entire busloads of Flatlanders appear just to see whether he’s as big as reported to be.

He shakes his head. “I’ll make it work.”

At least that’s something. Blueskin Bay has been known to attract a few oddballs, and Ocean Grove’s proximity to the disused boat shed and the harbor means we can get drifters looking for a place to sleep.

As per usual, Levi flirts as he steps back inside, grinning and leaning against the countertop. “We gotta book it. But I’m sure I’ll be seeing lots more of you soon.”

Felicity is gracious, but without a word, I know she’s pissed at me for not including her in the discussion we just had.

Mom taught us that ‘This isn’t the end of it’ look when we busted a window and tried to blame Jax when we were late for school.

Thankfully as Jax and Levi make their discrete escape, Felicity’s phone in the kitchen rings, and she looks at me like it’s a hostage situation.

“Can I answer that? Or is that against your house rules too?”

Since I don’t have the cables or an extra phone, I turn the handset volume on the wall phone as loud as it’ll go. “I’ll be listening.”

I take my place beside her. Shoulder to shoulder, listening in, like I used to do when Levi and I were spying on Garrett talking to his girlfriend in Turtle Bay.

But unlike spying with my little brother, standing so close to Felicity isn’t funny, and I’m so worried I’m going to accidentally touch her, I fold my hands behind my back.

When she answers she sounds as distracted as I feel. “Felicity speaking.”

“Oh, hi, Felicity. I got your name from a friend of mine. She said you made her a gorgeous brooch. I’d love you to make something similar for my bridesmaids. I’m getting married in June,” a pitchy feminine voice booms down the line.

Felicity winces at the volume even with the phone two inches away from her ear and reaches for a pad and pencil she keeps on the counter. “Of course, I’d be happy to help. May I ask who referred you so I can thank them?”

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