Page 157 of Come Back to Me

“Perhaps, but the town’s already talking about how there are bodyguards around every Korhonen apart from yourself when any of the family show up. People are uneasy, so that’ll probably cover a lot of questions.

“The timing is too good to waste.”

“Agreed. I’ll see to that today.” Blindly, I stare ahead. “How did he even manage to locate her?”

“Technically, he didn’t.”

“He deployed investigators in Pigeon Creek,” I snap. “Has she called family? Could they have given him any information as to her whereabouts?”

“I’ll speak with her, but I doubt it.”

“Tread carefully.”

Sinjin scoffs out a laugh. “This ain’t my first rodeo, Korhonen.”

“It is in these parts.”

“We need to talk about some of the security measures your brother implemented.”

“The less than legal ones?” I ask wryly. “I know about them.”

“In a past life, he clearly secured the crown jewels.”

“It was on my list of shit to rectify, but I’m even more hesitant to scrap his protocols when Brackton’s figured out his wife is here.”

Sinjin sighs. “Agreed. I’ll update you as soon as I have any info.”

The call disconnects, leaving me frowning at the road, but almost immediately, my cell buzzes again. This time, I answer with a grin, “What’s up, Cole?”

“Nothing’s up. Can’t I just call my bro on a whim? I missed you, fuckface. Did anyone ever tell you you’re bad at staying in touch?”

My lips twitch. “Juggling shifts and time zones wasn’t easy. Also, it works both ways. My cell’s always on.”

His sniff tells me he’s unimpressed by my logical answer. “Heard about the dogs. I’m almost jealous I wasn’t included.”

“Don’t mention that to Callan. The haven is still struggling to house a lot of animals after the flood, so he’d probably overnight one to you.”

“Knowing the little shit, he would. He told me you have a K-9 reject.”

“One with an aversion to shiny floors.”

“You keeping him?”

Leaning over to stroke Brogan’s chin, I drawl, “I don’t think I have much of a choice.” Not for the reasons he’d imagine, either.

This might not be a Tee test, but my only option is to ace it.

“You’re such a sucker.”

I scoff. “Like you can talk. Last week, didn’t you get another cat via the cat distribution system?”

“I’m not the scary pilot.”

“Since when am I scary?”

“Since forever,” he retorts. “So, how’s the fam finding their new pets?”

“Hit and miss. Callan chose a behemoth for Colt. She’s a Bernese mountain dog the haven nicknamed Floof and she takes up a quarter of the den.”

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