“Who’s asking?” Walt’s twin, Whit asks.
“Where are you going?” Walt’s intense eyes bore into mine.
“Stop staring, Disney, it’s rude.”
“Disney?” All three repeats.
“Yeah, like Walt Disney,” I say.
“What’s wrong with my name?” Walt asks.
“I don’t know.” I don’t look at him anymore and look at Whit. They all have the same blue-gray eyes, but his doesn’t make me want to run in the opposite direction. “Can you refer me to some splendid hotels?”
“Tuck, you want her to stay in a hotel by herself when you just told me she was attacked, and that’s why she’s here?”
“What? Attacked?” Both Rowe and Whit say at the same time.
“Who would attack a kid?” Rowe says. “That’s low as fuck.”
“I’m not a kid!” I say, a little louder than necessary. “I’m 28 years old.”
“Then you’re a baby.” Both Whit and Walt say.
“Why does she think she’ll stay anywhere but here?” Whit asks his look alike.
“No fucking clue. If she’s not with Tuck and his men, then she’s with us.”
“Yeah,” the one with white hair co-signs. “I’ll make sure your wing is ready for both of you.”
I glare at Walt, but my eyes soften at Whit. I turn to face Tucker. “It’s not working. Nobody’s listening to me. Maybe I should go back with you?” My anxiety rises and I feel like I need to run away.
“No, Everie, they’re listening to you, but remember, the reactions are not what you think they are. Breath. Can you do that?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, great, now let’s hear them out and see what they’re saying. Maybe this is for your own protection and good. Plus, you trust me, right?” He asks.
“Yes.”
“Good and I trust Walt. He’s been with me for 4 years and I know he can handle his own. From what I saw with his brother, he can handle his own too and the kid looks like he’s had to put his foot down a time or two, some places visible and some not so. Trust me, I wouldn’t ever let you stay somewhere I didn’t already analyze and have my boys check out. I’ll have Ten come down and visit you maybe in a couple of weeks, if you’d like.”
“Okay.” I respond, calming down, not realizing that I haven’t gone off the deep end yet in a stranger’s home.