Page 94 of Lethal Vengeance

The other three laugh.

“Zane’s the cook and doesn’t like anyone messing up his kitchen.” Sterling pretends to whisper, even though we can all hear him. “Ok. Laundry room.” He points to a room beside the kitchen. “Powder room is behind the kitchen.”

“Let’s see.” His eyes scan the room and land on the glass doors. “The best part. Come on.”

Cruz and Raider slide by us and they each grab a door. Instead of pulling, they slide the doors along a track, folding each section like an accordion, until the wall of glass is gone.

There’s an entire outdoor living room and kitchen right outside the doors on the covered patio. Beyond that, a large yard with a pool.

A sandbox and several trucks catch my eye, along with a big wheel. I stare at them.

“Gabriel loves playing outside,” Sterling tells me with a huge grin on his face. “We try to spend a little time out here in the evenings before bed.”

“Where is Gabriel?” I ask with a frown.

“We put him in the room next to mine,” Sterling informs me. “I’ll show you when we go upstairs.”

“How’s he doing? Does he mention Armando?”

Sterling’s smile drops. “He misses home, including his tío and Maria. He understands English, but he’s a bit confused on why everyone around him is speaking it, too. I think he used to go to preschool or something because he talks about school and his friends.”

He squeezes my hand. “It’s going to take time. Gabriel’s a smart, wonderful little boy. He was treated well, spoiled even, but he’ll be fine once he settles in some more.”

The emotion in his eyes makes me wonder if I should find him a new home sooner rather than later. “Thanks, Sterling. I appreciate you taking such wonderful care of him.”

His bright green eyes are watching me carefully. “Let’s continue.” Walking back inside, he pivots to a hallway on the left, which leads to a large bedroom suite. “Zane’s room.”

Decorated in blues and greys, the room is sparse but includes a large comfortable-looking chair in the corner with an ottoman. A giant bed sits along one wall, along with two nightstands. And another big television, of course.

“That’s not a king, is it?”

“California King,” Zane states behind me.

With his size, I bet it’s hard to find furniture that doesn’t feel miniscule. “You really like your televisions, don’t you?” I tease him.

His brows lower in a mock scowl. “Don’t start. I’m from Texas, remember? I need football like I need air.”

How could I have forgotten about how obsessive Texas football fans can be? It reminds me how far away the real world has been for the last couple of years.

“Of course. You’re an A&M fan, right? Go Aggies!” I throw up my fist and shout my team spirit.

Large arms fold across his chest. “Not even close. University of Texas. Go Longhorns.” His voice isn’t quite as full of spirit as mine, but it’s not his style.

“I see. Maybe we’ll have to place a few wagers,” I joke.

It’s been ages since I watched football. Even when I was going to school, I’d been pretty driven to get into the police force to start my eight years of service. My ultimate goal was always the Texas Rangers, like my dad, and they require a minimum of eight years of prior service to apply.

An evil grin takes over his face. “I’ll take your bets, but I warn you. I’m not going to be asking for money.”

Shocked at his flirting, I contemplate the man in front of me. When his smile starts to slip, I realize I hadn’t said anything.

“You’re on,” I confirm with a wink before nervously pulling Sterling out of the room.

“Right, let’s go,” Sterling reiterates. “Upstairs. A quick tour, then bed. For you. And me. Alone. In each of our rooms.”

Somewhere along the way to Zane’s room, we lost Raider and Cruz. Sterling points to each of their doors when we get upstairs. He briefly opens the door to his room, but I’m curious to see it, so I make him stop.

Where Zane’s room was utilitarian, this room is masculine and rich. The back wall is painted the deepest of greens, including the molding. The furnishings and materials are of high quality and in varying shades of grey. There’s a study off to the side with a ton of computer stuff and monitors. He’s even got a fireplace in his bedroom. It’s also immaculate. Not one thing in the room is out of place.