“Och, hen, ye will make it up to me. Wontcha?”
“Eh,” I begin, glancing at the green signs on the freeway overpass. “I suppose that was your dream car. I’ll get a job, work doubles, and buy you a new Audi in ten years or so.”
“New Audi?” Mia asks from the backseat. “Get me one too!”
Leith and I share a glance. Shehada bright pink Audi convertible for her third birthday.
Leith nods. “Aye. Da will get his wee bairn anything she’d like.”
I glance through the rearview window, shaking my head.
He toggles the gears. “When she sees wherehomeis, I’ll have lots to pay for.”
Truer words have never been spoken. Ten minutes later, we arrive at our first home. Leith reaches into the rear, helping our daughter fiddle with the booster seat straps. With inquisitive eyes, Mia inspects the one-story home.
“What is this?” She asks him as I walk toward Justice’s Honda. My friend has stopped parallel to the curb. Brody’s truck pulls in right behind her, the rear sticking out into the neighbor’s driveway. I glare. He glares back, then reverses and parks along the next stretch of sidewalk on the opposite side of our neighbor’s house.
“So,” Justice chews her lip, sliding out of her car. “I remember this place from when we first squashed our beef. I don’t want to put you out of your house.”
“But if it were the house on the beach, you’d be singing a different story?” I place my hand on my hips then beam brightly. “Girl. It might not have the square footage we’ve grown accustomed to, but there are three bedrooms, one of which has your name on it—however long you need.”
Justice hesitates. I take her arm, pulling. “C’mon.”
We get nowhere as she stays put. “Chevelle. I’m tired of running.”
“You’re not running. You have a job you love.” I cock my head. “We had this chat over breakfast already. Jamie even made a good point. We’re like sisters.”
My reflection becomes evident in her shining, tear-filled gaze.
“So,wit’sit gonna be?” my sworn enemy says from behind us. Brody grips my shoulders. The bastard massages then squeezes hard. “Ye’re staying with mysisteror with me?”
“It wouldn’t be appropriate,” she tells him.
“Witisn’t appropriate? Yer sexy, thick body in this wee house?”
I feel like I’m behind on a few things. Justice isn’t looking at Brody, nor has she attempted to bite his head off, spit it out, nor stomp on it.
I reach up, pinching the back of his hands.
“Ye did this,” he whispers in my ear, letting me go.
“I did what?” I snarl. My lips fall into a smile.Poisoned my friend against youis written all over my face.
“I should really just go.” Justice shifts. “Apparently, I’m no longer on the run. I could return home.”
“How’ll ye get there?” Brody’s raging blue eyes lock onto her.
“Same way I made it to New Mexico.” Justice replies. Her tone lacks the bite I’ve grown accustomed to. What am I missing between the two of them?
I start with a threat. “Brody, if you—”
Brody cuts me off, moving in front of me as if they’re having a sidebar discussion. “Yer car was running hot, Justice. Was it not? Ye think I’ll letye drive this piece o’shite? Try me.”
I wait a few beats, watching Justice from the corner of my eye as Leith disappears into the house with Mia. Justice let a man have the last word? Who the hell snatched my girl’s body? This isn’t the Justice I know.
I place a hand on my hip and round in front of him on the sidewalk. “Then you’ll help fix her car, Fix-It Felix MacKenzie. Can’t you do everything?”
After the heaping dose of sarcasm, I regard my friend with a warm touch. “Justice, I’m not saying I want you to leave. You were on your feet here. And you can do it again. But Brody can—”