Declan’s jaw hardens. “I have to secure all weaknesses.”
“Is that what I am to you?” she asks. “A weakness?”
“No, that’s not?—”
Dina spins on her heel and walks away. In the kitchen, she pops open a bottle of Chardonnay.
Declan stands there, looking like a wet Doberman.
“Hoes before bros.” I join her in the kitchen.
Declan exits the house.
Chapter 22
Renne
The Crossbow guesthouse is a two-bedroom mini home that’s comfortable for Dina, Chi-chi, and me, along with the baby. Yes, Dina stayed with me and not in the main house. Last night, Declan came by to fetch her, but she locked the guesthouse door and left him begging outside.
I want to be Dina when I grow up.
Hanna woke up early this morning, and I don’t want her to wake up the other two women, so I take her back to the main house, where I find Declan at an antique desk tucked in the corner of a room that he turned into an office. Or something like it. I get the impression that Declan doesn’t sit very often. He seems to be always on the move.
Both brothers do.
His hair looks like he ran his hand through it, and his eyes appear glossy as if he’s tired.
I bounce Hanna on my right hip. “Hey, have you slept at all?”
“Not really. How is Dina?”
“She’s fine.”
“Did she say anything about me?”
Many things. “No.”
“She must be really mad, huh?”
Aww. But also, I’m enjoying his struggle. Maybe I’m a little evil. “Maybe.” I chew my lip. “Have you heard from Connor yet?”
“Not yet. But he has the full twenty-four hours before I sound the alarm. He was last spotted getting on the bus that goes to the border. That’s where I’ll be going if he doesn’t show up in the next few hours.”
“He could just be taking some time off. I find riding the bus therapeutic.”
“That’s all well and good, but Connor knows that he must check in. If he doesn’t, he knows I’ll look for him. Did you girls have a fun sleepover?”
“We did.” I chew my lip. “I’m worried about Connor now that you’ve explained how you two look after each other.”
When Declan doesn’t soothe me or tell me Connor will be okay, I sit on the couch. “Oh man. I didn’t realize you think someone has your brother and wants to hurt him. I mean, I did have an idea when you talked about weaknesses, but I think it’s hitting me now.”
“You’re not expected to know that. We’re not a typical family. When one of us doesn’t answer his phone and doesn’t show up all night, we think the worse.”
“Is it possible he spent the night with someone and forgot or didn’t want to answer?” The moment the words come out of my mouth, my chest constricts. It hurts to think that Connor would stay with another woman, but it’s a possibility we can’t rule out.
I can tell from Declan’s expression that he hasn’t considered it. “It’s possible, but unlikely. Connor doesn’t sleep around.”
“Maybe he made an exception and didn’t tell you about it. He was flirting with the news anchor the other day.”