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“Hey, don’t I get a hug?” Ash had already greeted Gideon with the usual back slap and handshake.
Grinning her delight, Eve wrapped her arms around Ash for a hard hug. The moment she’d met Ash, she’d felt like he was her brother from another life. She’d felt a connection similar to how she’d felt about Samuel, who’d she’d always felt a special closeness to.
“It’s good to see you both. Come on in and join the madness.” She led them into the living room and asked, “Do either of you need something to eat or drink?”
Glancing at Serena, who shook her head, Ash said, “We’re good. Let’s talk about what’s going on.”
The instant they were seated on a sofa, she settled down across from them beside Gideon. When he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, a knowing smile spread across Ash’s face. “Well, it’s about damn time.”
Silly, but she felt a blush heat her cheeks. She shot Gideon a look out of the corner of her eye and laughed at the goofy grin on his face.
Turning back to her friends, she shook her head. “I think we were on the ten-year plan.”
“You owe me fifty bucks, boss,” Serena said.
“What was the bet?” Gideon asked.
Ash shrugged. “She said you guys would be together. Since you told me there was still some friction between you two, I thought it was a safe bet.”
“We got the friction ironed out.”
“I’m glad,” Ash said. “Now tell us what’s going on.”
Appreciating the fact that they didn’t ask questions related to her title or background, Eve quickly explained the situation and how she hoped they could help.
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Serena said. “I brought my laptop, and barring any complications, I should be able to give you a preliminary report in a few hours.”
“Let me show you what I’ve got.” Rising, she led them into her office. “If you want to stroll around and get an idea of what we’re dealing with, that’s fine.”
Serena shook her head. “Show me what you’ve got first, and I’ll go from there.”
She pointed to the board with the compiled list. “Here’s where we are.”
While Ash and Serena studied the list, it took every bit of Eve’s willpower not to explain who each person was to her and how they couldn’t be guilty of betraying her family. It helped that Gideon took her hand and pulled her away from them. She knew they would work better without her interference, but the need was strong to defend each person.
“You’re doing good,” Gideon whispered.
“You know me too well.”
“If it were my family, you’d be having to hold me back with a gun. No one wants to be betrayed by someone they love and trust.”
She saw the regret in his eyes. “We’re past that,” Eve assured him. “I trust you to never lie to me again.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” He kissed her gently on the forehead. “You have my word.”
Suddenly wishing they were alone so she could show him exactly how she felt, she forced herself to concentrate. Once this threat was behind them, she wanted to go somewhere alone with him where they could be exactly who they were. No questions, no speculations, no intrusions.
“Okay.” Serena turned and said, “Show me what you’ve uncovered, and then I’ll start digging deeper.”
Glad to have a task, she released Gideon’s hand and grabbed the pages she’d printed out. Having Serena here with her eagle-eyed intelligence and unbiased opinion was such a relief. Even though Gideon wasn’t close to most of the people on her list, he still saw them in a different light than someone who’d never met them.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ash and Gideon walk out the door. She knew Ash had more questions, but for right now, she wanted to take the chance to speak to Serena alone.
“Okay, babe. Before we move on, tell me what’s going on,” Eve said quietly.
Not even pretending to not know what she was asking, Serena shrugged. “I haven’t heard from him in weeks.”
“Do you know where he is?”