Page 62 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

“Yup,” I mutter, shifting my grip and nudging River forward. “Let’s get the car loaded, little hen.”

“I—”

“We’re running late,” River says brightly. “I’ll see you around!”

We start walking, heading for my car. I pop the trunk, put the bags in, then snag the suitcase from River and shove that in too.

She moves to the passenger’s side door, climbs in.

“Do you know her?” I ask, standing in the opening.

“Barely,” she says as she buckles in. “We’ve talked once.”

I slam the door and round the hood, sitting in my own seat, starting up the engine, and backing out. River’s gaze shifts as I do, pointing out the window.

Stephanie is standing there, watching us drive away.

“That was really freaking weird,” she whispers.

“Yeah,” I agree.

“Do you think she’s part of the—” River nibbles at her bottom lip.

I focus back on the road. “Could be.”

But something about that doesn’t feel quite right.

It’s too clumsy. The Lyons wouldn’t be that stupid, right?

Or maybe it’s some sort of elaborate bait and switch, and?—

River’s new phone rings.

“Briar?” she says. “No, I’m good. We were at my apartment picking up some things. You’re where?”

Her mouth drops open.

“What?” I ask.

“You can’t just storm into Thorn’s place!” She scowls. “You already did? Yeah, well, I’m getting that. But it’s wrong and—oh my God, tell me that isn’t Chrissy and Rory in the background. Marie too?” A groan as she presses her fingertips to her forehead. “I don’t care if she wants to see what her former apartment looks like now. It’s invasive and you should have asked Thorn first, and?—”

I slow at a signal, debating, and?—

Fuck it.

I snag the phone from her grip.

“Thorn!” she protests.

“Briar,” I say, putting it up to my ear.

A beat and then Briar says, rather guiltily, “Uh, hey, Thorn. I hope you don’t mind but Pascal let us up.”

I bet he did.

The man can kill you in a heartbeat but a good woman flutters her eyes at him…and now my apartment is infested with women.

And…hell, I can’t even be pissed.