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“You didn’t ask me,” Thatcher told him, looking almost amused by the fact.
Sebastian cut his eyes over at him. “And?”
Thatcher shot him a smug look, then headed toward the corral that was being rebuilt this week.
“Quality time with your brother not sound appealing to you?” I asked him.
Sebastian rolled his eyes. “I’d rather be alone. He’s been weird as fuck lately.”
I frowned. “He’s always weird as fuck.”
“He’s taken it to a new level.”
I’d been too busy with Briar to keep up with the goings-on around here. Stellan had made it real clear this morning that I wasn’t supposed to go after Jameson until we had cause. It had pissed me off, but he was right. If I killed the son of a bitch, then it would be a messy cleanup. But Stellan didn’t tell me I couldn’t go warn him. I glanced back at Thatcher’s retreating form. I should take Thatcher when I go. His just being there would scare the shit out of Jameson.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out. Briar was getting a text on her phone. Tensing, I opened the app and read the text. It was from Pepper Abe.
Pepper: You not responding is making me worried. Let me know you’re okay, or I’m going to have to take a drive north.
Fuck. I wasn’t there to delete it this time. Things weren’t locked in tightly enough for me to feel comfortable about this friendship she had with Pepper.
Briar: Hey! Sorry I haven’t texted. It’s been kind of a whirlwind.
I smiled at her response.
Pepper: So, you’re good then? When you didn’t say anything after my last text, I was worried.
Dammit, Pepper. Let it go.
Briar: Last text?
My smile was gone. Fuck, I didn’t need this right now.
Pepper: Yeah. I sent you one a couple of nights ago.
Pause. Then …
Briar: Oh. I didn’t get it. My phone might have been off. I’m not sure.
She didn’t seem suspicious.
Pepper: That’s odd. It said it was delivered. Well, anyway, I am just glad you’re doing good. Are you staying in Georgia awhile?
That’s right. Let it go. Move on to another subject.
Briar: Yes, I think I am. Storm has been … amazing. It’s new for me, and it’s all happened so fast, but I’m happy.
She thinks? What the fuck did that mean? She needed to KNOW!
Pepper: I’m happy to hear it. Just be careful, and if you need anything, call. I don’t care who they are, I will get you.
Like fucking hell she would. Briar was mine.
Briar: Thanks. I appreciate your friendship and your caring about me.
Ah, my girl hadn’t had much of that in her life. It was why I couldn’t bring myself to block Pepper’s number in her phone. But I would have to keep a close watch on their contact. I didn’t need Pepper putting shit in her head.
Pepper: You got a place here if you ever need it.
She will never need it.
Briar: Thank you.
I waited a few more minutes to make sure the texting had ended, then slid my phone back into my pocket.
“What was that?” Sebastian asked, studying me closely. Too fucking closely.
“Nothing,” I replied, walking past him and back out to my truck.
“You were reading texts and not responding,” Sebastian said behind me.
“Mind your own business, Sebastian,” I warned, not looking back at him.
His brother might accept what I was doing, but Sebastian would be judgmental. I didn’t need that. I would do what I had to in order to keep Briar safe and with me. I didn’t care how many lines I crossed to do it.
There had to be a better program I could put on her phone so that I saw texts before they went to her phone. I wanted the calls to come to me first too. Wilder would know. This was his area of expertise. I just had to convince him why I needed it. That semi-moral motherfucker wouldn’t like the idea of me screening all of Briar’s calls and texts. Her emails too. I needed a way to get her emails. I wondered if there was a way for me to see through her phone camera. There had to be. I would call him later when I was alone.
• Five •
“Easy, tiger.”
Briar
This wasn’t my first formal event with wealthy people, but it was my first one with the Southern Mafia.
The nervous expression on Dovie’s face had taken over the excited one she’d had earlier when the stylist let her choose from dozens of expensive gowns. Now that we were all dressed and styled, the realization that we were going to an event like this was getting to her. She was used to staying away from crowds. This was a world she had never experienced. My stomach was knotted up for her. It felt as if I was pushing her into something she didn’t want, but I also knew she had to broaden her horizons. I couldn’t hover over her.
