Page 25 of Romeo

“I honestly can’t wait to actually meet the woman who has our dear Riley all in knots,” Elliot says.

I glare at him.“I amnotin knots.”

“I’d argue that point,” Tucker replies.

“And you’d lose.I just don’t appreciate someone who thinks she’s better than me just because her grandfather was an actor.”

“An incredibly famous actor,” Tucker corrects.

“Fine.But she wasn’t.”

“No,” Elliot says.“But she has been through a lot, so maybe cutting her some slack wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”

“Need I remind you—she looked at my house like it was one gust of wind away from blowing over.”

“Or, consider this, you misread the situation because you’ve already made up your mind about who she is as a person.”

I glare at Elliot.“You know, it wasn’t that long ago you’d shut Nova out.”

“And I realized my mistake.That’s how I can offer you brotherly advice now.”He grins.“And how I can see that youarein knots.”

As much as I love a debate, this isn’t one I’ll win.I turn to Tucker.“I need to get back, and you guys arenotbeing helpful.”

“So sorry, little brother,” Elliot says.“Tell us how we can help you.”

“Find the guy who killed Jules’s grandfather and tried to kill her so I can get this woman out of my house and move on with my life.”

“I’ve got nothing new so far,” Tucker says.“I checked in with Loyotta earlier, and he said he sent a team to handle the motel room and survey the area for any witnesses.No luck.All the cameras in that area were a bust, too.Our guy knew how to avoid them.”

“Of course he did.”I check my watch, noting that it’s nearly five forty and I’ve been here for over an hour.“I need to go pick Jules up.Are you guys coming to dinner tonight?”

“Absolutely,” Elliot replies.

“I’ll be there too,” Tucker adds.

Both of them are grinning like idiots.“You guys are taking way too much pleasure in my misery.”My cell rings before they can answer, and I note Odie Landers’s name on the screen.“Fantastic.Hunt,” I answer as I wave to my brothers and head out of Tucker’s office.

“Since my sister was spotted getting off of a private plane in Texas two nights ago, I’m assuming you did find her?”His tone drips with anger.“You forget that you’re not the only one who was looking for her.”

Great.“She didn’t want you aware of her location because she doesn’t want you coming to get her.”

“So you lied to me.You work forme,Mr.Hunt.Not my sister.I should have been notified the moment you found her.”Gone is the sympathy-seeking charm he’d used when we first met.Now, I have a feeling I’m getting a look at therealOdie.

“Actually, I’m a contractor who worksforno one.Your sister had a concern for your safety, and since I’m actively investigating the man who killed your grandfather and very nearly succeeded in gutting your sister two nights ago, I decided it was safer for everyone involved if I kept her location a secret.”

He’s quiet a moment.Should I have said “gutted”?Probably not.It’s a bit more colorful than I like to be, but this guy is grating against my nerves.

“She was hurt?”

“She nearly died,” I reply.“I managed to get there in time, but she’s clearly in danger.”

“But she’s safe now?”

“She is.”

“Where are you keeping her?”

“Close,” I reply.“At her request,” I add, so he can’t come at me for outrageous kidnapping charges.