Page 32 of The Widow's Dom

“I was telling Janessa that I hoped I hadn’t made her uncomfortable, and that’s why she was reluctant to see me. After Kevin died, I checked up on her, maybe more than I should have, but she’s always been nice. I do admit that if she had given me any clue she wanted to get to know me better, I would have jumped at it.”

Nick chuckled. “I understand.” He looked down at Janessa. “So, were you guys talking about Trevor?”

“Yes,” Daniel said. “After I talked to Julie, I called the state police to get them involved. They have more resources than I do. I hadn’t realized he’d been such a pain in the ass.”

“It wasn’t anything serious until this last visit,” Janessa said.

“It might have something to do with Nick here.”

“Why?” Janessa asked in confusion.

“He got wind of another man stepping into his territory,” Daniel said.

“Seriously? I’m considered territory now?” Janessa said in disgust, making the men laugh.

“It’s a guy term, little squirrel.”

Daniel’s brows rose. “Little Squirrel?”

Nick laughed at the disgruntled look on Janessa’s face. “Yeah. She’s always moving and reminded me of a squirrel.”

Daniel laughed, which got her tapping her toe with a scowl on her face. She looked so damn cute. Both men laughed hard.

Janessa elbowed him and then winced. “Boys are stupid.”

Daniel grinned. “If I remember right, you said that a lot in school, too.”

Her chin went up. “And I haven’t changed my mind either.”

Nick grinned and hugged her.

“I better get going,” Daniel said. “I’ll keep you guys up-to-date on what happens. I don’t want you to worry, Janessa. Your money won’t be affected.”

“Thank you, Daniel.”

“You’re welcome.”

They started walking toward the house when Daniel spoke. “So, I hear the five of you were in an elite unit overseas?”

Nick nodded. “You’re keeping up-to-date.”

“I have to. I consider this my town, and I care about the people. So, when five dangerous men come here, I check them out.”

“We were in a unit together, and then our time was up. We didn’t reenlist but took contractor jobs over there.”

“I couldn’t find a name for your unit.”

Nick grinned. “Because there isn’t a name.”

“I do know it’s Navy, but that’s about it.”

“That’s all anyone can know. I don’t think the president at the time knew about us.”

Daniel’s brows rose. “Holy shit.”

“I see you have some military in you, too.”

“Yeah, four years with the Marines,” Daniel said. “That was enough.”

---