Page 105 of Mr. Dangerous

I leaned forward. "What kindofnews?"

"They have a lead on the men that the one neighbor saw in the condo building that night. A mug shot that finally rang somebells."

"Let's go," I said, eager to lose myself in something that wasn't a sense of regret overNaomi.

"They're going to go bringthemin--"

"Nah," I said. "I'd love to talk to them. Get Liam for me,wouldyou?"

The three of us were slamming the doors of the car shut a few minutes later, the noise resounding in thenight.

Liam drove and for once I was glad my brother was a speed demon. The highway in front of us was empty and we were making ungodly good time when Joe said quietly from the front seat, “It’s going to be allright,Rob.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Maybe. Bust some heads. Get someanswers.”

"There's no amount of busting heads that's going to work out yourfeelings."

Liam asked, "Can we table this conversation, ladies?Feelingsare not exactly pertinent at themoment."

Joe shot him a dark look that reminded me of our childhood. "I'm older and wiser than you, so just trust me that talking through things isn't just for theladies."

Liam rolledhiseyes.

"I swear, you're the only one who can get him to shut up," I said to Joe, trying to lighten the mood in the car even though my own mood feltprettydire.

"Yeah, just like when you guys were kids. He won't shut up and youwon'ttalk."

"There's nothing to say. Mitch's in bad shape, we’ve got enemies everywhere and my girl – my girl who hates my fucking guts –could be indanger."

"Naomi's not in any danger," Liam said, his tone taut. "She's not aDelaney."

"Fuck you, we don’tknowthat.”

"She wants you to think she's in danger, so you'll keep her close," Liam said. "Nothing buttheatrics."

"What are you saying?" My voice came out low anddangerous.

"Please, you believe that stupid story?Someone attacked me on theelevator?"

"Yeah, I do,"Isaid.

"Well, I don't," Liam said bluntly. "And I don't want to hear about your problems with her when we have real, familyproblems."

"Liam,” Joe chided, “Your brother's problems are familyproblems."

Liam held up a hand. "I want to take care of things so we can get back to normal. I can't handle talking about ourfeels."

"I can't handle you sabotaging your brother's relationship," Joe snapped. "And your grandmother, doing it too. YouDelaneys..."

"I'm not sabotaging it. She's a gold digger. Trust me, I would know one when I see one.” Liamsnapped.

I leaned forward in my seat. If I couldn't bust bad guys' heads, my brother's head was looking awfully tempting. "Don't say thatabouther."

"Believe what you want,"Liamsaid.

"There's something really wrong with you,"Isaid.

"Okay," Joe cut in. “Shut it. Nothing you guys will regretlater.”

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