“Nico’s dangerous. You said your friend went missing six years ago. Nico started working for my dad about nine years ago,” Harmony explained. “That means my dad had him crossing the border with immigrants at that point. That’s not something that Nico would do alone.”
“No,” I agreed. “There were immigrants there that night, but none of them looked dangerous. There was a strange older guy. He kind of looked like a mountain man. He didn’t look clean, and he gave off scary vibes.”
“Did you ask Nico about him?” Harmony asked.
I shook my head. “I didn’t get the chance. I told him that I wanted justice for Sophie, and for some reason that triggered him. He asked me to leave. Said it was better I stopped looking and that he didn’t want to see me again.”
“That’s sound advice,” Elyna noted. “Sorry, but Nico’s a dangerous man. He doesn’t look it. Or maybe he does, but he’s into bad things. Maybe you should talk to Becket. He’s connected to Provincial Police. Maybe they can find someone else who crossed the border with Bellerose.”
“Thanks. That’s a good idea,” I said. “Sorry for rehashing bad memories,” I said, glancing between them.
“It’s fine,” Harmony said. “I understand why you need to know.” Then her eyes lit up. “Hey, why don’t you join us for lunch?”
Elyna nodded. “Definitely, you should come out with us.”
“Thanks, but I don’t want to impose,” I said to them.
“You wouldn’t be,” Harmony said.
“Did you want to go to the brewery?” Elyna asked Harmony. “I’m dying for some apple crumble.”
“We could do that,” Harmony said.
“You need to come. Have you gone to the brewery yet?” Elyna asked.
“No, but it was on my list of things to do,” I replied. “I just planned on stopping at the Frosted Mug. I wanted to ask Kammy some questions about my conversation with Nico.”
“Ah, gotcha. Okay,” Harmony said. “Raincheck then.”
“Definitely,” I said. “It was nice to meet you, Elyna.”
“You too, hopefully we’ll see you soon,” Elyna said to me.
We all said our goodbyes. I may not have found out new information, but I was making friends in the process, and that felt like something too. I headed to my car and drove toward the Frosted Mug. Maybe Kammy could make sense of all this for me.
CHAPTER 16
Asher
I felt on edge. I had never hooked up with an employee before. All my brothers followed that rule while they were single. Well, technically Phoenix didn’t, because Elyna was working for him, and now she’s, his wife. Maybe that’s why he said it didn’t matter if I dated Claire. That she was here for the season, not year round. Why did the thought of her leaving bother me? Why did I spend all morning checking her out? My head wasn’t on straight, and it was bothering the shit out of me. I never got attached to a woman. I never let myself feel but with the turmoil brewing inside me I found myself walking over to the brewery again. This was the time of day when Dad was probably stopping in, and Becket too. Hell, maybe Eric would be off and help me figure out what was going on with me.
This time of year, the brewery was busy with tourists from out of town. The restaurant was packed, but there were some seats at the bar that were empty. I saw Cooper first. He was Phoenix’s best friend.
“Look what the cat dragged in. You look a little tired,” he noted.
“I am,” I said with a yawn. Between Claire going off to meet Nico and the night we shared together, I barely slept a wink.
Phoenix walked out of the kitchen area. “Two days in a row,” he said, looking at me. Then he turned to Cooper. “It’s okay. I got him.”
“I don’t want to drink,” I said.
“Do you want something to eat?” he offered.
I usually watched what I ate because of fighting. I had to be in peak shape, but today I was feeling off. I needed comfort food.
“Earth to Asher,” he said, watching me.
“I want something unhealthy and greasy,” I said to him.