Page 8 of Bennett (HC Heroes #15)

“Pretty sure I do,” Laurel said, handing him the bag and coffee. “This is compliments of Annie, and from what she said, you’re knee-deep in wiring nightmares. You deserve something strong enough to jumpstart your brain cells.”

“Bless that woman.” Carter took the bag like it was made of gold. “At least somebody cares, unlike some fellow teammates I know.” He popped open the lid off the coffee and sniffed. “And bless you, too. This might be the only thing keeping me alive right now.”

“To be fair, my aunt did say Mac had ordered it for you,” she felt compelled to add.

The guy grinned. “Ah, bossman does care, after all.”

“Rough morning?” she asked, arching a brow.

“You could say that,” Carter grumbled around a mouthful of bacon. “Seems like I spent more time inspecting damage than actually installing the damn security system. And since my job is to make sure this place is secure, it means I’ve got a lot of crap to redo.”

Alarm stiffened her spine. “That doesn’t sound good,” Laurel said, her gaze flicking to Bennett, who was watching her with that unreadable expression of his.

“Nothing about this is good,” Matthew chimed in, his tone far too cheerful, considering the circumstances. “But hey, at least we can count on Carter to get security up and running…by next week.”

Carter flipped him off without breaking his grin. “Don’t start with me, Walker. I’ve got hot coffee and I’m not afraid to use it.” He took a long sip, his eyes practically rolling back in his head. “Sweet caffeine, I missed you.”

Matthew snorted. “Let’s hope the boost helps you actually fix something instead of blowing something up.”

“I’m a tech genius, Walker. Not one of your squid brothers,” Carter shot back.

Laurel smirked. “You guys always this charming?”

“Only when we’re hungry,” Matthew quipped.

Her gaze strayed Bennett’s way again. His expression was calm, his gaze taking everything in like he was cataloging it for later. The man was all business, and yet, he still looked at her like he was trying to figure her out.

Yeah, well, good luck. She’d been told she was unfigure-out-able .

“So,” Laurel said, her gaze moving past them to the building’s half-finished facade. “How bad is the damage? Aunt Annie asked me to take charge of the renovations.”

Carter’s expression shifted from pleased to frustrated in a heartbeat.

“Wiring’s been meddled with in a few of the open units.

Someone yanked out cables and cut a couple clean through.

Not to mention they busted the lock on the nearly finished apartment and tampered with the wiring at the entrance. ”

A wave of anger tightened her chest. “Sounds like someone’s being a real pain in the ass.”

“That’s the polite way to put it,” Matthew said, crossing his arms over his chest.

She took a step forward, her gaze narrowing toward the partially open door. “Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to pop in and see for myself.”

Bennett shifted, stepping in front of her with the kind of smooth efficiency that only came from years of training. His broad shoulders effectively blocked her path to the door, and admittedly made her heart flutter.

Stupid organ.

“Can’t let you do that.” His voice was calm but firm. “Sheriff’s orders.”

She lifted a brow. “Seriously?”

“Seriously,” Bennett repeated steadily. “Gabe wants the place left as untouched as possible until he can see the damage himself. So, unless you’ve got a badge hidden somewhere in that apron, you’re staying right here.”

Matthew grinned. “You know, Bennett, you might want to work on your delivery.”

“Why?” the guy asked, his gaze never leaving hers. “Just telling her how it is.”

“Sorry, Laurel,” Carter muttered between bites. “Gabe did say that. Said not to let anyone trample all over the crime scene.”

“But if you know the damage, it means you were inside.” She split her gaze between them. “Right?”

“Yeah, we were,” Matthew replied, his grin as shameless as ever. “Isn’t that right, Bennett?”

Why that…

“So, you could go in, but I can’t?” She narrowed her gaze on Bennett. “Double standard much?”

Carter sidled up next to her, coffee still in hand. “Doesn’t seem fair at all, now does it?”

“Nope.” Matthew shook his head, playing along with a straight face. “Definitely smells like favoritism.”

Bennett’s mouth twitched, but he apparently refused to be goaded. “We were hired to secure the place. Can’t do that completely from the outside. Besides, we didn’t know the second floor was damaged until we went up.”

Convenient.

Laurel crossed her arms. “So, you guys can trample all over the crime scene , but the second I try to do my job, I’m the one who’s messing up the evidence?”

“That’s about the gist of it,” Bennett replied coolly. “Except you’re not the one doing a job here. You’re just trying to satisfy your curiosity.”

“Oh, no, sweetheart.” She narrowed her gaze on him. “I’m here because Aunt Annie put me in charge and asked me to take a look. So, yeah, I am doing a job.”

Bennett didn’t budge. Not even a little. “Nice try, but the answer’s still no.”

Laurel’s jaw clenched. “You’re really good at making friends, you know that?”

“Occupational hazard,” he stated calmly. “I follow the rules, especially when they come from the sheriff.” He shrugged, as if that somehow made him sound less bossy.

It didn’t.

Carter sighed. “Looks like By-the-books-Bennett is back.”

She narrowed her eyes. “More like Buzzkill Bennett .”

Coffee spewed from Carter’s mouth as he choked out a laugh.

Matthew snickered, slapping Carter on the back. “I dunno. I think he’s just trying to be a gentleman. Isn’t that right, Vaughn?”

Bennett’s mouth twitched. “Something like that.”

Laurel crossed her arms and leveled him with a look. “All I want is a quick peek. You can even come with me to make sure I don’t stomp on any evidence. Aunt Annie asked me to report back, and unless you want to explain to her why you wouldn’t let me do that, I suggest we go inside.”

“I’ll take my chances,” Bennett replied, still blocking the doorway. “You can report back to her after Gabe clears the scene.”

The man was infuriating. And unreasonably good-looking, which was a problem, because her temper tended to flare more when there were handsome, bossy men involved.

She tried another approach, her tone dropping to something closer to reasonable. “Okay, then don’t come in. You can all follow the sheriff’s orders, and I’ll take my chances. What’s the harm in me taking a quick peek in the building I’m now managing?”

Bennett’s eyes met hers, and for a second, she thought he might actually relent. But then he shook his head, that damn stubbornness of his refusing to budge.

“No harm if you stay put,” he said. “You can see the damage just fine once Gabe gives the all-clear.”

“I’m starting to think you just like being difficult.”

“Only when people insist on making things more complicated than necessary.”

A smile tugged at her lips. “Would it help if I said please?”

“Not even a little.”

She blew out a frustrated breath, but a part of her couldn’t help but admire his unyielding stance. He didn’t even have the decency to look apologetic. Just cool, calm, and irritatingly sure of himself.

She narrowed her gaze on him again. “You know, you’re awfully smug for someone who just pissed me off.”

He just shrugged, and his expression remained maddeningly unaffected. “You could always wait inside Carter’s van. Better to be in the shade than standing out here.”

And he better consider himself lucky she wasn’t prone to violence, because Laurel was just about ready to punch Bennett Vaughn in his ridiculously handsome face.

But before she could give into the temptation, the sound of an approaching vehicle snagged everyone’s attention.

A black sheriff’s SUV rolled up and parked just outside the site, dust swirling around its tires. The door swung open, and Gabe climbed out, his gaze sweeping the area before landing on them.

Poor guy looked like he already needed another pot of coffee.

“All right,” the sheriff said, his voice all business as he strode over. “Somebody walk me through what’s going on this time.”

Carter immediately snapped into work mode, his expression serious as he launched into a rundown on the new damage. “The culprit,” he added when he finished, “seems to be targeting stuff that takes time and money to fix.”

Laurel’s chest squeezed despite having already heard it.

Gabe’s jaw tightened. “How recent are we talking?”

“Best guess? Last night.” Carter scratched his neck. “I only had time to set up one camera out here yesterday. I checked the feed, but whoever’s doing this knows how to avoid detection.”

Gabe’s brow creased. “When did this start?”

“It’s been an ongoing problem,” Matthew replied. “Brandi’s the designer, and she hired us yesterday. She said they noticed little things fiddled with over the past two weeks, but it’s gotten worse, hence the reason we were called in.”

“They aren’t vandalizing random things now,” Bennett said, his tone clipped. “It’s deliberate, calculated sabotage.”

Matthew exhaled. “They know exactly what they’re doing.”

“Fantastic,” Gabe muttered, scrubbing a hand over his jaw.

Carter nodded. “Yeah. That’s why I called you.”

“You got cameras up?” the sheriff asked.

“Working on it,” Carter replied. “And I have sensors and cameras planned for the inside too, but the system’s not fully operational yet.”

“Well, that’s gotta change,” Gabe said with a frown.

Carter’s shoulders straightened. “It is. I’m on it, plus your brother’s coming later this afternoon to help with the installation.”

“And we’ll help too,” Matthew said.

“Good.” Gabe nodded, then turned to her, his expression softening just slightly. “Laurel. Didn’t expect to see you here. Thought you’d be wrangling pancakes and smartass comments over at the diner.”

She offered a half-smile. “Just doing what my aunt asked me to do. Poor woman didn’t want to see the chaos herself.”

“Understandable.” Gabe’s tone was all business again. His eyes narrowed. “Have you been inside?”

Bennett shot a glance toward Laurel. “No, she hasn’t.”

Laurel lifted a brow. “According to His Highness over here, I’m not allowed to see the damage for myself.”

Gabe nodded, his expression cool. “You’re not.”

Her mouth opened, then closed. Well, crap. The sheriff didn’t look like he was in the mood to debate.

“My aunt put me in charge of this renovation and asked me to check things out,” she said, trying to keep her tone civil. “This was my uncle’s business. He built this place over four decades ago. Now it’s my aunt’s. She’s the owner, remember? I’m just trying to do her a favor.”

“And I’m trying to keep the area from getting contaminated,” Gabe replied. “No offense, Laurel, but if I let you wander through the damage, I might as well just throw out my report before I even write it.”

Carter snorted. “You could make her wear gloves and booties like one of those CSI guys.”

“Want to keep making jokes, Carter?” Gabe shot him a look. “Because I can find all sorts of creative ways to mess with your permits.”

Carter held up his hands. “Shutting up now.”

Laurel crossed her arms, not at all pleased. “So, what am I supposed to tell Aunt Annie?”

“Tell her I’m handling it.” Gabe’s tone brooked no argument.

“She’s not going to be thrilled with that answer,” Laurel said.

“Yeah, well, that makes two of us.” Gabe sighed, then rubbed his temple like a headache was already settling in. “Look, I get you’re here to help Annie. And your aunt has a right to know what’s going on. But until I finish my sweep, you need to stay out of the building. Okay?”

The man was all sharp edges and authority, but she supposed she couldn’t blame him. He had a job to do, and letting her wander through a potential crime scene was stupid and irresponsible of him and her.

“Fine.” Laurel sighed. “I know you’re just doing your job. But the second you’re done, I’m going in. And if you tell me otherwise, I’ll just call Aunt Annie and let her deal with you.”

Gabe’s lips twitched, a flash of amusement breaking through his hard exterior. “Wouldn’t expect anything less from Annie’s niece.”

“She’s trouble, all right,” Matthew said with a grin. “But I think Vaughn’s enjoying the challenge.”

Bennett shot him a look. “Nobody asked you.”

Matthew’s grin only widened. “Doesn’t mean I can’t share my observations.”

“Observations?” Laurel echoed, her gaze snapping to Bennett. “What exactly is he observing, Vaughn?”

“No clue.” His voice was steady. “I’m just making sure you don’t do something reckless.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You know, I wasn’t planning to, but now I’m tempted.”

Matthew snickered. “See? Enjoying the challenge.”

Gabe’s patience had clearly run thin because he threw up a hand. “All right, enough. Laurel, stay put. The rest of you, show me the damage since you’ve already been inside.”

He turned toward the building, and Bennett, Matthew, and Carter followed.

Laurel watched them go, her annoyance still buzzing under her skin.

The way Bennett’s shoulders tensed slightly before he walked inside didn’t escape her notice.

Like he was bracing himself for something unpleasant from her…

or maybe just trying not to snap at her for daring to question his authority.

What the hell was his problem, anyway?

And why did she care?

She was supposed to be here doing her aunt a favor, not butting heads with Mr. Dark and Broody every five minutes. And yet, there was something about him that made her want to push his buttons just to see what he’d do.

Maybe it was his annoying need to follow the rules. Maybe it was the way he looked at her like he couldn’t quite figure her out.

Or maybe it was because, deep down, she suspected he might’ve been right to keep her from contaminating the place.

But damned if she’d admit that out loud.

If any of them thought she was going to leave, they were mistaken.

Grumbling under her breath, she twisted around and strode to the side of Carter’s open van, not because Bennett suggested it, but because the unseasonably warm April sun was getting hot.

She sat down next to a toolbox and sighed. If the handsome jerk tried to stop her again, she might have to make his life miserable.

Laurel’s annoyance started to dissipate. Somehow, the thought of getting under his skin was more satisfying than it should’ve been.