[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Considering Bee's brilliant mind that didn't surprise him in the least. "Finn, leave Pop with
Bee. Get Kelly and meet me at Abby's place."
"What's wrong?" Finn's tone instantly changed. "Are you okay? Is Abby okay? What about
Mattie?"
"We're okay, but we need some plywood or plastic sheeting. Some asshole threw a brick
through a window."
"What's going on?" Kelly's deep voice rumbled in the background.
"Someone tried to hurt Abby and Mattie," Finn answered.
"Son of a bitch," Kelly grumbled. "Tell Jack we're on our way."
"I'm sure he heard you," Finn said. "Hell, I'm sure half of Houston heard you bellowing like
that."
Shaking his head at his younger brothers, Jack interrupted their squabbling. "Finn, today would
be nice."
"Yeah. We're coming. See you soon."
Glad to have his brothers on their way, Jack put away his phone and returned to Abby's side.
By now, another familiar face had arrived on the scene. Looking tired as hell but fully focused on the
crime, Detective Eric Santos listened intently to Abby's recollection of the events before conferring
with the patrolmen who would be handling the case.
After making it clear he wanted to be kept in the loop, Eric caught Jack's eye and motioned with
his fingers. Jack trailed the detective to a more private spot away from the officers and Abby. Eric
ran his fingers through his midnight black hair and sighed. "I worried something like this would
happen."
"I'm sure it was that asshole who tried to get nasty with Abby in her store. Only a coward
throws a brick through a damned window."
"Agreed," Eric replied. Forehead creased with concern, the detective confessed, "When I heard
the call go out for Abby's house, I thought for sure it was a drive-by. I couldn't get here fast enough."
Jack considered the detective's concern for Abby and Mattie a testament to the other man's
character. "Mattie wanted to stay inside, but you might pop in to see him before you go. He was pretty
rattled."
"And Abby?" Eric eyed her for a moment. "She might fool other people with that calm, cool
exterior but not me. I've known her too long for that."
Not for the first time, Jack wondered if there wasn't something more to the friendship and
history between the pair. "I've got it under control."
Eric's eyebrows arched at his possessive tone. "So you finally worked up the courage to stake
your claim?"
Jack's eyes narrowed. "Was it that obvious?"
The detective snorted. "You went behind my back to bribe the summer league coordinator to
put Mattie on your team. I wouldn't be much of a detective if I didn't put two-and-two together."
"It wasn't like that," Jack grumbled.
Eric snorted. "Yeah, man. Sure it wasn't." Growing serious, he said "Listen, this brick thing?
It's probably a one-and-done deal. The 1-8-7 crew knows better than to push too hard with Abby."
"I hope that's true. I keep telling myself she's respected in the community, and her shop helps
lots of people. They don't need that kind of backlash."
"True, but it's more than that." Eric hesitated. "You need to talk to Abby about her connection to
Besian Beciraj."
Jack's jaw tightened when the name of the Albanian mob boss who had put his family through
hell only a few short weeks ago registered. He glanced at Abby who was talking to her neighbors. He
refused to believe that she could be involved in any dirty dealings. She wasn't that sort of woman.
Was she?
"I've got to run, Jack. Should I put a car on the house or "
"I'm staying," he interjected. "I'm not leaving Abby alone at night until this mess is cleared up."
"I'm glad to hear that." Eric smacked his arm. "Don't hesitate to call me. I'm always available
for my friends. Tell Mattie I'll touch base with him tomorrow and see if he'd like to go out for a bite
later this week."
"Will do."
Jack returned to Abby's side and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She smiled up at him
and continued on with her conversation. Once the neighbors and police were gone, Jack followed her
back inside the house. While she checked in on Mattie, he grabbed a broom and dustpan and got to
work. The brick had been taken away by the police as evidence but the mess remained.
He was scooping up glass shards when Kelly and Finn arrived. His youngest brother had a
toolbox and slab of plywood from the scrap collection in the garage at the house they shared. Finn
carried a small overnight bag and a tarp. Eyes narrowed and jaws clenched, they surveyed the
damage.
Finally, Finn spoke. "Our fix won't be pretty but it will do until morning." He lifted the
overnight bag. "I packed your things. I figured you'd be staying here tonight." Lowering his voice, he
dropped the small piece of luggage on the nearest chair. "Make sure you keep that away from Mattie
 if you know what I mean."
Jack got the message loud and clear. Mattie's curiosity could make for a dangerous situation if
he started going through the bag and discovered a handgun and ammo. "Understood."
"Oh! Hey." Abby reacted with surprise upon finding his brothers in her living room. Her gaze
flitted to the tools and supplies. "Wow. Thanks. That's really nice of you two to come over so late to
help."
"We're happy to do it," Finn assured her.
"We'll be out of your hair in no time," Kelly promised and got to work.
Jack stepped closer to Abby and brushed his knuckles down her cheek. "Is Mattie all right?"
"He's already fast asleep." She leaned into his touch and smiled up at him. "I guess you were
right about how to deal with him." Inhaling a long breath, she said, "If you don't need my help, I'll go
finish up those dishes."
"We've got this covered."
She nodded and left his side, her slow movements showing her reluctance. He sensed she was [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]