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“This isn’t much.”
“Like I said,” I reiterated. “I don’t know much yet.”
“Okay—when do we leave?”
I rose. “First thing in the morning.”
CHAPTERFOUR
Taz
The rumble of an engine pulled into the front yard and Darby, and I exchanged looks. While he made no move for the door, I inhaled a breath, held it and pushed it out my mouth. I knew precisely who it was and that I was in a form of trouble I probably had never been in before.
Ensuring my gun was tucked into the back of my pants—just in case—I waited until after the sounds of slamming doors then a powerful knock.
Even though I expected it, I still must have jumped a foot in the air.
“You want me to get it?” Darby asked.
“That’s not a good idea.” I replied, pushing to my feet and straightening my clothes.
I stepped away from the chair, pulled my hair from the ponytail, shook the strands out and retied it. I did a quick check on the food keeping warm in the oven, then wandered toward the door just as they knocked again.
When I pulled the door opened, I smiled at Storm, but he wasn’t having it.
It was almost as if he didn’t see me—like he was looking through me.
With is bag over one shoulder, he stepped by me into the house. The man with him offered me wai as a way of greeting.
“I’m Beam.” He introduced himself, in English. “P’Storm’s partner.”
“Oh.” I gasped. “I speak Thai. Um—Jo West.”
“Taz?”
“Yes,” I replied. “Um—come in.”
He bowed his head to me and walked into the house.
As I closed the door, I realized no one told me he would be bringing anyone with him. A part of me was disappointed. I thought I’d be alone with him.
As I thought about it, I realized I wanted to be alone with him.
I cleared my throat and walked over to where both Beam and Storm waited for me in the hall.
I led them into the open living room, and Darby stood.
He stepped forward and extended a hand to Storm.
To my surprise, Storm ignored the gesture and walked around him to chuck his bag on the floor. Storm had never been that kind of person. He had always been polite—sometimes to a fault.
This version of him, worried me.
Beam, however, shook hands with Darby and introduced himself.
“What’s going on?” Storm asked in Thai.
I dragged my palms down the back of my pants.