“It’s a significant occasion.”
See. There was no arguing with solid logic like that, although it was obvious Teague wasn’t thrilled about the suits. It was one thing to do it to please my brother and completely another to be railroaded into it.
“If they want to wear bathing suits, that’s their prerogative.” Why do I have this urge to dispute everything that comes out of this man’s mouth? Even when he’s right.
No one seemed surprised at my behavior when it came to Lincoln.
“Can we still wear bow ties?” Eric asked.
Every bit of tension caused by Lincoln was melted away by my brother’s innocence.
“You’re in charge of wardrobe,” Teague said. “Just don’t let him take over.” He motioned to his brother again.
It occurred to me that they were all acting as if the scene we’d rolled up on hadn’t happened. Other than Beau, who was off to the side, fiddling with the long gold chain around her neck.
“Have you ever had a custom-made suit?”
I whipped my head toward Lincoln, who was focused on Eric. He spoke with a quiet confidence and indifference. Was it practiced? Was that how he had to handle people on a daily basis?
Because I didn’t think he was indifferent.
“No.”
“We’ll change that.” Lincoln put his hands in his pockets.
“See, man. He’s already taking over,” Teague said in warning.
Eric tilted his head. “We’re working together.”
“We can’t afford that,” I said under my breath, praying my brother didn’t hear. I couldn’t stand the thought of disappointing him.
Lincoln scowled as if he’d smelled something foul. “Don’t concern yourself over the cost.” He also spoke in a hushed tone.
“How are you going to take them to get custom suits if you’re behind bars?” I regretted the tone of the question immediately, especially when his look was incinerating.
“You don’t need to concern yourself over that either.”
Tires screeched.
We all looked toward the street. A man stepped out of an exotic sports car and strode in our direction.
“I thought you were in cuffs?” He stalked straight to Lincoln.
At least I wasn’t the only blunt one.
Lincoln didn’t appear impressed.
“Our father got him out of them,” Teague said bitterly.
The man groaned. “I’m still charging you for this.” He reconsidered. “Then again, you got me out of a brunch with my wife. Maybe I owe you.”
Chapter Five
Lincoln
“He’s good. I swear it.”
Teague cornered me after his attorney, Kane Zegas, disappeared with the same flourish with which he’d arrived.
“I’m aware.”
I wanted nothing more than to enjoy my brother’s engagement without the stain of an almost arrest. One I doubted I’d avoid forever, considering the agent now had a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas.
Instead of celebrating at their apartment or mine, we were still out on the sidewalk in front of what used to be Grey Paws. We’d eaten pizza—actually they’d eaten pizza. I couldn’t think about food, much less attempt digesting it.
“I’ve let you avoid what happened because of Pepper.” He folded his arms over his chest.
“And what about you? Don’t you deserve to celebrate your engagement without all of that?” I waved my hand in the general direction the trouble had taken place.
“Why the hell would they think you did any of that crap he accused you of?” Leave it to my brother to take up for me unconditionally. “That agent got the wrong guy.”
“Damn straight he did.” Beau marched over, her voice raised.
“Damn straight,” Eric repeated enthusiastically.
I flashed Beau a scathing look. It wasn’t like the guy was too young for foul language, but it seemed inappropriate. Not that I had any idea about that sort of thing.
Lexie didn’t appear to mind. Yet when it came to her brother, there was always a softness about her she didn’t have toward anyone else.
Why were they still here?
Why are you such an ass?
They’d prolonged my visit to a federal facility long enough for my father to arrive. Thanks to them in part, I was a free man.
An ungrateful free man.
I didn’t like Lexie’s earlier panic attack. I didn’t like how that agent had treated Eric.
And I hated that I felt anything toward them.
“Watch it,” I scolded. Beau looked at me as if to ask what? “Language.”
She followed my glance toward Eric and furrowed her brow. “Sorry.”
Lexie opened her mouth and then closed it. So the woman could hold her tongue? I found myself curious about what she was going to say.
And I really didn’t want to discuss anything about federal agents, arrests, or my innocence.
Miss Adeline caught my eye. Then she stretched and yawned. “I hate to break up a good party, but I am an old lady. Anybody feel like giving me a lift home?” She batted her lashes at me. “You could, handsome.”
She was just teasing me, but my face got hot. I’d had more than my fair share of flirting from women, but Miss Adeline wasn’t after anything. Although sometimes I wondered if she was serious. With her it was hard to tell.
“I’d be happy to escort you home.”
“Ooh. Fancy. Let’s blow this popsicle stand.” She pushed out of her chair.
“You have popsicles?” Eric asked hopefully.
Miss Adeline tugged on his bow tie. “Not this time, honey. But you tell me your favorite, and we’ll have a popsicle date when I see you again.”
“That’s tomorrow,” he almost cheered. “And I like banana.”
“You can’t leave. We have to talk about your case,” Teague said in frustration.
“As far as I can see, there is no case.” I offered my arm to Miss Adeline. “Shall we?”
She clutched my bicep with a surprisingly strong grip. “Let’s do it.”
“You have a ride,” Pepper said. “With us. Since we’re going home.”
“Do I look like I want to ride with two freshly engaged lovebirds?” She pointed at Teague. “Take the scenic route back. Or get a hotel. I could use a night alone.”
My brows shot to my hairline, and my face grew hotter. How did my brother live with such honesty? Because she genuinely meant for them to spend the evening in a hotel. It was what was implied that had me embarrassed for Teague.
“No way,” Pepper said. “You get into trouble if we leave you alone for fifteen minutes.”
“It’s not a bad idea . . .” Teague slung an arm around his fiancée.
She elbowed him in the side. “Don’t encourage her.”
They had an interesting dynamic. Teague, Beau, and I were close. The two of them certainly weren’t afraid to be honest or give me a hard time. But it was different than this.
Would Mom have been like Miss Adeline when it came to our love lives?
I shoved the thought out of my head.
Yet the image of her slumped on the ground as her blood ran like a river assaulted me.