Page 52 of Caged

“Adam’s history is clean, too. Not squeaky, but nothing suspicious popped up.”

“He’s just a foot soldier,” Jaden said. “Or in this case, the gate keeper.”

“I’d feel a lot better prepared if I knew who was in the office with him earlier today.”

Jaden agreed.

A shadow filled the doorway a second before a knock sounded.

“We’re taking the girls to our place,” Jack said. “You’re welcome to join us and work from there.”

Jaden accepted. I declined.

“You sure? Meg’s making her famous bacon mac and cheese,” Jack tempted me.

That sounded a lot better than eating at my desk again. My hesitation gave Jaden an opening.

“Come on Maxwell, it won’t kill you to relax for a few minutes,” Jaden teased.

“Thank you, Jack. It sounds delicious. If you’re sure I won’t be intruding, I’d love to come.”

“Christ, even your acceptance is stiff and formal.” Jaden said, rolling his eyes.

I ignored him. Having manners didn’t make me stiff or formal.

Jack ignored him too. “Of course you’re not intruding, we’re happy to have you. And you’re in for a real treat. Meg’s bacon mac and cheese is to die for.”

“Thanks. Can I bring anything?” I asked.

He nodded towards my desk. “Just you and your case files.” He turned to Jaden and pointed. “You can grab some beer.”

“I figured as much,” Jaden laughed. Watching them I saw a hint of the brotherly banter I often witnessed between Jamie and Jack.

The kind Jaden wanted but pretended he didn’t.

Jack was right, Meg’s bacon mac and cheese was to die for. The cheese, seven kinds according to her, was so rich and creamy I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. It was a good thing I didn’t eat like that at every meal or I’d have to go to the gym twice as much. I allowed myself one beer with dinner, more to keep Jaden off my back than anything else. Dinner was lively, with people crowded around the table, talking and laughing. I observed more than I interacted.

More than once, I felt Jaden’s eyes on me.

More than once, I looked up and made eye contact.

More than once, I ignored the questions I saw reflected in his gorgeous amber eyes.

After dinner, I offered to help Meg clean but she ushered me and the rest of the team away. Emily and Blake backed her up.

“You guys go save Wendy. We got this,” Emily said.

I loved how everyone in the group supported each other. I knew from experience the guys wouldn’t hesitate to clear the table or wash the dishes, so it wasn’t a big deal to let the girls do it today.

We took over the living room, using every surface we could find to work. Doug came over after dropping Beth and Chase off at John’s. He said they were happy to spend time with Mary and John, who’d be watching over them.

“Leave it to Dad to slack while we’re all slaving away,” Jack joked.

AJ pretended to fold a note and put it in his pocket, “I’ll just pack that away for the next time I fuck up.”

“Dude, you’d throw me under the bus like that?” Jack asked.

“To save my own ass, hell yeah,” AJ answered.

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