Page 68 of Lawton

That's it. Brother or not, I was going to have to kill him.

Chapter 31

With a gasp, Chloe bolted upright and scrambled to the other side of the couch, where she sat, glaring at Bishop.

I was already on my feet. So, my job was beat the shit out of people? Suddenly, that didn't seem like a bad thing. I turned to face him. "Funny, I sort of feel like beating the shit out of someone now."

Bishop leaned against the door jamb. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," I said. "You interested?"

Bishop grinned. "Bring it on."

"I wasn't joking."

"Neither was I."

On the other side of the couch, Chloe gave him another murderous glare. "You need to stop doing that."

"Doing what?" he asked.

"Sneaking up like that," she said. "Make a sound or something next time, will ya? Seriously. It's freaking me out." She lifted her chin. "And besides, it's rude." She gave me a quick glance, as if wondering if I'd disagree.

I didn't. What could I say? She was amazing. In spite of Bishop, I felt myself smile. "You're awesome," I told her. "You know that?"

"Huh?" She squinted at me. "What?"

"I've been wanting to tell him that for years," I said.

From the doorway, Bishop spoke. "Youhavebeen telling me that for years. Now, c'mon, I've gotta show you something."

"Not a chance," I told him. "Now get the hell out. And this time, don't come back."

Ignoring what I'd just said, he turned to Chloe and asked, "Still need to get back in your house?"

Before she could answer, I did. "No. She's staying here. Too late for a locksmith."

Bishop lifted his eyebrows just a fraction. "A locksmith? You stickin' with that story?"

I knew what he meant, but I wasn't going there. "Oh fuck off," I said. Too late, it hit me that Chloe was within earshot. I glanced in her direction. "Sorry."

Before she could respond, Bishop spoke up. "Sure." He flicked his head toward the back patio. "But first you've got to check this out. Sorry, but it can't wait."

On the couch, Chloe crossed her arms. "You don't sound very sorry," she told him.

"True," Bishop said. "But it seemed the thing to say."

"Son-of-a-bitch," I muttered. I gave him a hard look, but he didn't back down. It was a no-win for me, and we both knew it. Chloe was here. I obviously wanted to impress her. We both knew she wouldn't be all that impressed if I went for this throat. "Fine," I told him. "Gimme five minutes." I turned and gave Chloe an apologetic smile. "Sorry about this."

"That's alright," she said, giving Bishop a long, annoyed look of her own. "It's notyourfault."

She looked so adorable, glaring at my brother that I wanted to scoop her up and carry her away.

Later.

"Hey," I said, "still want that shower?"

She glanced down at her legs, still smudged with streaks of dirt. Pushing a hand through her still-damp hair, she gave a quick nod.