Page 39 of Knight's Desire

“I’m serious. You look like hell. Hope is counting on us to come through for her, and if you’re going to run point, I need you at your best. I’ve already cleared it with Jay to have Wings and BB take the night shift tonight. Alpha has no missions right now, so they can help. With the extra hands, we can close this case quick,” Tristin said.

“Why the rush to close the case? You got a better client waiting in the wings?”

“You know me better than that. I want to close this case because I despite bullies, and I hate that this coward has someone like Hope Robertson scared of what could happen next. Dammit, Brick, stop acting like an idiot and go home. You’re an ass when you’re sleep deprived.”

Even though he had to agree with Tristin’s assessment, he still threw up his middle finger in response. Then he pushed up out of his chair and fixed a hard stare on Sam. “I’m to be contacted the minute you have new intel.”

“Will do.”

He crossed his office to stop in front of Tristin. His friend stepped out of the way for Brick to leave, but he had one last thing to say before he did. “I have the night shift. Assign whoever you want as my back-up, but I’m the primary watch. Non-negotiable.”

Then he left by the back stairs and out the building’s side door. He passed through the alley between KSI and Hope’s Bridal Shoppe. Shifting his steps, he walked by the front window and glanced inside. He saw Kayla at the front desk, entering data into the computer. Gennessey was sitting with her, watchful of her surroundings, and she threw up a hand when she noticed him through the window. He didn’t see Hope, but she had to be there if Gen was hovering close by. He lifted his chin to acknowledge Gen’s greeting, and then he strode to his SUV and drove toward home.

∞∞∞

“This dress is blush, but it does come in ivory and pure white. The style matches what you told me you wanted — fitted with drama in the skirt, low cut back and embellishment at the shoulders.”

Hope stepped to the side, so she could study the bride’s reflection in the mirror. Her expression gave nothing away as she inspected the dress from all sides. Her friends had already given their approval and now waited for the bride to give her feedback.

“What do you think?” Hope stepped around to face her bride directly, and she saw Kayla standing in the lobby, waving in her direction and pointing to her cell phone.

“I love it,” the bride finally pronounced. “It’s beautiful. I don’t mind the color. It’s different.”

“It does look lovely next to your skin. Why don’t I have Kayla bring in a veil, so you can have the full effect?”

The bride nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, please. I want to see it with a veil.”

“Give us just a few minutes, and we’ll be right back.”

Hope hurried over to Kayla. “What’s up?”

“Your sister’s on the phone. It’s the third time she’s called. It seemed like you were finishing up, so if you want to take her call this time, I can cover your bridal appointment.”

Hope smiled. “I already volunteered you to find her a veil. I think that’s her dress, but she wants the full effect.”

Kayla’s smile was wide enough to split her face. “This is my favorite part.”

Hope left her assistant to search for the perfect finishing touch, and she had the cell to her ear by the time she retreated into her office.

“Shouldn’t you be at the mercy of twenty-plus kindergarteners right now?”

Ella Robertson Miller gave a derisive snort that put a smile on her sister’s face. “It’s a professional development day, so only meetings, no kids. I was hoping to get a little sisterly empathy for all of the boring meetings I’ve had to endure today.”

Hope leaned against her desk with a clear view of the lobby, so she had a clear view if Kayla came for her assistance. “What you meant to say is, you drew the short straw and got elected to check up on me.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but since you brought it up, why did we have to find out about your stalker from Dad and not you? Henry and Adam would be on your doorstep as we speak if Dad hadn’t ordered them to stay put, per your instructions.”

“I don’t have a stalker. I am being harassed, but I have it taken care of. I’ve hired private security and private investigators. They are the best at what they do, and since they’ve taken the job, there have been no other incidents.”

“Are you alright? I can’t stand the idea of you handling all of this alone.”

Hope wanted to say the perfunctory “I’m fine,” but her sister would call bullshit. Ella knew her well, and she would see through any falsehood falling from Hope’s lips. “I’m better now than I was. When I saw my dress hanging in tatters on the dress mannequin, I’ll admit I had a meltdown. All of that work just destroyed, and I think they broke in and did it while I was still here. The investigators think it’s someone I know. It might actually be a friend or an acquaintance or a client. I can’t wrap my mind around that. How can someone I know hate me that much, and I not know it?”

“That’s it. I can be there this time tomorrow.”

“You’re not going anywhere. You have a husband and a classroom full of children who need you. I am taking care of things myself, but I appreciate the offer more than you know. And the same goes to Henry and Adam. When you report back to them, tell them to stay put. If things get out of hand, I already promised Dad I would make a trip home, and you know how hard it is to break a promise to him.”

Ella laughed. “I know, right? I swear he casts some kind of spell over us when he makes us promise we’ll do whatever he’s asking us to do. It’s like voodoo or something.”

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