Page 82 of Impossible Love

The instant I’m on the deck, Finn grabs the sleeve of my shirt. “Let’s go.”

“Is this about Dad?”

“What?” He scowls. “No. Is something wrong with Dad?”

“No. Not that I know of.”

“Good.”

I laugh. Maybe Victoria is right; the MacLaine style of communication isn’t exactly conversational. “Then what’s all the drama about? Are the zombies on the loose or the Knights of the Templar sacking the castle or some other stupid shit from one of your video games?”

He scowls at me, clearly not in the mood for being teased about his gaming hobby. “Let’s go.”

I’m getting a really bad feeling about this. As we jog down the gravel lane between houses, I ask, “So where exactly—”

“Evander’s.”

“Is he okay?”

“Yeah, he’s fine.”

It’s a damn good thing we’re nearly there. Finn’s about as chatty as one of our prized Angus cattle.

We’re headed up the steps to Evander’s just as Phoebe Travis exits the front door. She’s in her nursing scrubs and a pair of running shoes, her hair piled on her head in a messy bun.

“Hey, guys!” Her face lights up when she sees us.

“How’s your favorite patient?” I pause on the front porch for a moment to be polite. Finn excuses himself and goes inside. “Is he doing all right? Is there an issue?”

“With the patient’s health or his attitude?” Phoebe laughs.

I’ve always liked her. Our emergency room encounter was the only time I’ve ever seen her be anything other than cheerful and smiling. In other words, Phoebe Travis is the opposite of Evander MacLaine. And I’ve always wondered if she might have a crush on my middle brother, since they say opposites attract.

“See you later!” She places a friendly hand on my arm before she runs down the steps and heads to her car. She gives me a big wave before she drives off.

I find Evander and Finn at his dining room table. Evander’s got his leg propped on a chair. When he looks up at me, his words don’t match his serious expression. “How’s it going over there onboard the Love Boat?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “What’s going on?”

Evander and Finn exchange a glance. I don’t like this. Not one bit. And I’m not going to just stand here and ask them to pretty please let me in on the secret.

“What the fuck is going on? Tell me now.”

“We’re waiting for Declan and Special K.” Evander has his hand resting protectively on a file folder and the laptop beneath it.

I frown. “Do we need to be in the SCIF for this?”

Evander shakes his head. “This isn’t a StellaR Tech issue. Why don’t you have a seat?”

The front door opens, and Declan and Special K come running in.

“This better be good,” Declan says. “I have a date tonight.”

Finn laughs. “If it’s a day that ends in Y then of course you have a date.”

“Enough.” My voice cuts through the bullshit. “I’m not sitting down and I’m not waiting another second. Tell me—what the fuck is this about?”

Evander shrugs. “Fine. But let’s take this in my bedroom because my leg is killing me.”

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