Chapter Four

Abe

"T hanks again, Wayne," I said, rising to my feet. I'd been trying to extricate myself from the attorney's office for close to an hour without success. Earl would've said Wayne Carlson still had several reels to run, and I was his captive audience. "My grandfather held you in high regard, and I can't say that about many people. I hate to cut our conversation short, but I need to swing by the funeral home to pick up Earl's ashes."

The attorney rose from his leather chair and buttoned his dark blue suit jacket over his impeccably starched shirt. He'd worn his hair in a ponytail for as long as I could remember, but I noticed the gray and white strands were starting to outnumber the black ones. Wayne was nearly as tall as me, but he looked leaner than I could recall, bordering on gaunt. I'd inquired about his health when I arrived, both out of decency and concern, and was glad to hear the changes were intentional. "Your grandpappy was one of the best men I've ever known," Wayne said. "I'm truly sorry to hear of his passing. There are a few more things I want to go over with you, but I got sidetracked. I'll just follow you outside."

I bit back a groan and held open his office door for him. Gretchen, his legal secretary, caught my eye as I walked past her desk, and I knew her sympathetic expression had nothing to do with my recent loss. She'd already extended her sympathies when I arrived. No, her downturned mouth and sad eyes at this juncture seemed more like commiseration. Wayne continued to prattle about everything from county politics to national sports and had finished with the ten-day weather forecast by the time we reached the parking lot. He'd gotten so far off topic I worried he'd need a road map and a guide dog to get him back on course. But then he saw Betty gleaming in the sunlight, and his eyes misted over with tears.

"You've done right by Earl your entire life, son," Wayne said. "It's no wonder he gave you his worldly possessions when he was alive so he could watch you enjoy them."

And just like that, my irritation with the delay dissolved. "Thank you, sir."

"The gals have fielded several calls from your kin. Your daddy, uncle, and cousins are making a lot of noise about contesting Earl's will, but I assured them it wouldn't hold water. Earl hadn't overlooked them. He named the reasons he hadn't left them anything." A wry smile lit up his face, and mischief twinkled in his eyes. "I told them I'd be happy to represent you pro bono, and I mean it. Let me know if they make trouble for you."

"I'm not worried about them," I said. "I even invited them to say farewell to Earl at his cabin this weekend as a show of goodwill."

"Those bozos wouldn't know goodwill if it kneed them in the balls." I chuckled at the contradiction. "And it's your cabin," Wayne corrected.

"Yes, sir." I might've owned the lake house for a while, but it still felt like my grandparents' place. That was one of the things Earl had addressed in his waning hours. He didn't want the cabin to be a shrine to them; he wanted me to make it mine and Lio's. Earl had used every opportunity to work the man's name into each conversation. Instead of being annoyed, I'd been grateful for his acceptance.

Gretchen stepped onto the front porch of the Victorian house the attorney had converted into his offices. "Wayne, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need you back inside. There are some things we need to go over before your next appointment."

The older man sighed and slapped me on the shoulder. "Duty calls, and I should let you get on your way. I believe everything you need to settle your grandpappy's affairs is in the folder, but you let me know if not." He'd also nestled my mother's contact information in there, but I wasn't ready to think about it.

"Yes, sir, and thanks again." He shook my hand once more and turned to go back inside. I caught Gretchen's eye and mouthed, "Thank you."

I slid the folder Wayne had given me into the duffle bag I'd stowed behind the bench seat, then climbed into the cab. The funeral parlor was only two blocks from Wayne's office, and it took me longer to get over the eerie silence in the building than it did to collect Earl's ashes. Once back in the truck, I set the box with Earl's ashes on the seat beside me.

"One last ride in your beloved Betty, Pop."

Sunday dinners were a big deal to my grandparents, and I'd attended as regularly as my career had allowed. Once Lucinda passed, I prioritized the meals, only missing them for emergencies. Betty had fallen into disrepair a long time ago, and I'd used my skills and my rainy-day fund to get her running again. I took Earl for drives every Sunday after dinner, and he surprised me one evening when he handed me the title for the truck.

"Betty deserves to be driven more than once a week, and I can't see good enough to drive her anymore. I want you to have her."

I'd vowed to take good care of her and had spent the next few years restoring the truck to her former glory. I'd never forget the look on Earl's face when he saw her new paint job.

"She looks just like she did the day I bought her," he'd exclaimed.

Earl had loved the Sunday drives more than any meal I brought over. I'd noticed a real decline in his spirit when his physical deterioration prevented him from taking his weekly trips in Betty.

"I'm going to miss you like crazy, Pop," I said as if he could hear me. Hell, maybe he could.

My phone rang, jolting me from my thoughts. I checked the ID and saw it was my campaign manager. The guy's name was Phillip Hampstead, but everyone called him Ham. He'd been calling, texting, and emailing every few days to remind me the filing deadline for my reelection was coming up. I should've told him my grandfather had passed away, and he would've left me alone, but instead, I'd just blown him off, stating I was busy. It wasn't a lie. I'd had my hands full with intradepartmental pissing contests, introducing and debating unionizing the sheriff's office, and testifying in court. It wasn't often an elected sheriff took the witness stand to testify about a cock-fighting ring, but he did when he was the one who'd stumbled upon the criminal activity.

The defendant's attorney had tried to make it seem like I had illegally trespassed on their client's property, who happened to be my nearest neighbor. So I'd raised my right hand, sworn to tell the truth, and explained to the jury what had happened on the night a distressed rooster had wandered onto my property. He had a little band around his leg identifying him as Bruiser. Even though two acres of woods separated my house from my neighbor's, I'd heard roosters crowing from their direction and suspected Bruiser had wandered over to my place. I'd scooped him up and trekked through the woods to return the fowl to his owner.

The prosecutor asked me why I hadn't driven the rooster home, and I'd explained I'd had a few beers and didn't belong behind the wheel. She inquired if I'd been intoxicated, and I assured her that wasn't the case. I knew I'd consumed more than the law allowed me to operate a vehicle. I'd seen several nods of approval in the jury box and patiently let the prosecutor guide me through the rest of the questions. No, I hadn't been wearing my gun or badge because I was off duty. The only things I'd had on my person were my wallet and cell phone, which I'd used to call 911 when it became clear Bruiser hadn't just wandered off. He'd run for his life. My deputies saved more than two dozen roosters, and a rescue group took custody of all but one lucky boy. Bruiser was going to live out his days in the fancy coop I'd bought him. I threatened to roast him every morning when he woke me up before sunrise, but we both knew I didn't mean it. He'd become the weirdest and dearest pet I'd ever owned, and I pampered him with a temperature-controlled environment that kept him comfortable while he ate his pricey organic food and the weird little worms I picked up at the pet store. Yeah, I'd become that guy.

When I wasn't dealing with pissing contests and cock fighting, I found myself dwelling on the things Lio and Earl had told me. I didn't want to be objective and agree with them, but I made myself do it. Yes, I had a habit of pushing people away. As much as I wanted to say the realization straightened me up, it had the opposite effect. Instead of wanting to hold Lio closer, the urge to push him away became stronger. But I wouldn't. Cutting off my arm would be easier and less painful than severing the life I'd built with Lio. He'd promised that I only needed to acknowledge the problem before we moved forward and worked it out together. Lio's word was something I could take to the bank. I'd also read between the lines in the interview he'd given to Savannah Morning News about the baseball game. To everyone else, the article looked like a human-interest story, but to me, it felt like Lio was staking his claim.

Fucking Lio.

I missed him so damn much. If my week had been hectic, then his was a train wreck of epic proportions. Eads had gone to the press, probably against the advice of his counsel, and told anyone willing to listen just how corrupt SPD's chief of police was. Lio was besieged by reporters—local, state, and national—all vying for the smallest sound bite. He'd wanted to come to my house but didn't want to bring his nosy entourage with him. I'd reminded him they'd eventually get sick of waiting. Over the past five days, I'd had to get my Lio fix via text messages and nightly phone calls. I craved his touch and needed to breathe him in. I'd gotten so desperate for him by midweek that I'd nearly suggested phone sex, which wasn't how I wanted our first shared orgasms to go. Lio had made me come too many times to count but never while in the same room.

He'd texted me the previous night and said the reporters had stopped skulking around outside his house. Then Lio informed me he was spending the weekend with me at the cabin. That was my bossy guy. He didn't ask for permission, and damn if it didn't make me horny.

It was a forty-five-minute drive from my house in Pembroke to the lakeside community at Trophy Lake in Liberty County. My grandparents had purchased the small cabin as a weekend retreat before I was born but later moved in full-time after retirement. I'd mostly used it for occasional fishing and poker parties with my army buddies after Earl transferred the deed to me. I'd been fine leaving the cabin as it was, but Pops was right. The small home could be a wonderful escape from the stress of our jobs, and I could see us retiring there someday. Lio was a wizard at remodeling and home improvement, so I'd get his input when I wasn't trying to drill him into the mattress. Christ. My dick twitched in response to the image of Lio under me—naked and yielding. I was probably getting ahead of myself, but I couldn't help it.

I turned left once I drove through the entrance to the lakeside community and slowly wound my way toward my cabin. I'd just turned onto my road when I saw Barbra Hawkins, who lived in the cabin closest to mine, powerwalking for exercise. She wore lavender from her headband to her sneakers, and I slowed down and pulled up alongside her.

"Abe!" she exclaimed. "Am I glad to see you." Barbra made it a point to know every person who owned property in the community. I stopped and shifted Betty into park. "What's going on?"

"We've had a rash of break-ins and some petty thefts lately."

"How petty?" I asked.

"Mostly food and drinks," Barbra replied. "No electronics or valuables. No vandalism and only minimum property damage to obtain the items. A few residents have reported signs of squatting in the woods, but so far, we haven't been able to locate the person."

"Do you think it could be bored teenagers playing pranks?" I asked.

She puffed out her cheeks and exhaled slowly. "Possibly, but I don't think so. This feels different."

I pursed my lips and considered the information. "Are there any signs of escalation or deviant behavior?"

"Not at all," Barbra said.

"I'll snoop around while I'm here this weekend, but I can give you suggestions on how to keep your home and property safe."

Barbra reached through the window and patted my arm. "That would be wonderful. Do you have time for a cup of coffee?"

"Of course."

I parked my truck at my cabin and walked over to hers.

"George headed into town to get groceries. We just returned from a trip to Florida to meet our newest granddaughter." The obligatory photo sharing followed Barbra's announcement. I told her little Nicole was adorable, but the truth was, I thought she looked like all other babies. Her face was red and splotchy, and she looked pissed off at being evicted from her mom's womb. "I don't have a single cookie or snack cake in this house to offer you," Barbra said. "I ate them all while waiting for news about our precious girl."

"Just coffee is fine if you're sure it's not too much trouble."

"Not at all." She headed into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, engaging in small talk the entire time. When the brew was ready, she tucked a notebook under one arm and carried both mugs to the table. Once she resumed her seat, Barbra reached across the table and laid her hand over mine. "I am so sorry to hear about Earl's passing. Your grandparents were one of a kind. I hope you find solace in knowing they're reunited now."

I was agnostic regarding religion, but my grandparents were devout in their faith. I wanted them to have the afterlife they'd expected, and I did find comfort when I allowed myself to imagine their reunion. So I wasn't lying when I said, "Yes, ma'am."

"Good," she said. "Now let me tell you what's been happening around here."

She flipped open her notebook and rattled off dates, times, and details of every incident over the past few months. She knew what was missing and from where and gave detailed accounts of unauthorized and abandoned campsites uncovered in the woods. I sipped my coffee and asked follow-up questions, learning that the vagrant never lit fires in the woods.

"He's using the empty cabins for showering and food preparation too," Barbra said. "Mostly, he cleans up after himself unless something spooks him." She shivered hard. "It's creepy. What would happen if someone stumbles upon the guy unexpectedly?"

"It doesn't sound like he's trying to hurt anyone. It sounds like he's trying to avoid people at all costs. Still, I think it's best to stay on alert."

We chatted for a few more minutes while we finished our coffee. I gave Barbra tips on what the residents can do to minimize break-ins and capture images of the burglar. Most residents were like my grandparents and had lived there for decades with no problems. The idea of Ring doorbells, spotlights, and trail cams to capture a vagrant seemed foreign to her, but her eyes lit up with hope.

"I think I'll make a Facebook group and invite residents to join. Maybe you could pop in and share these tips. I think the residents will take this advice more seriously if it comes from you."

"Sure. I'd be happy to. Send me a link when you set it up."

Barbra offered me a second cup of coffee, but I declined. She hugged me and offered her condolences again before I headed back to my cabin. A thick copse of trees separated my property from Barbra and George's, and I didn't realize I had company until I stepped out into the clearing beside my place. My heart sped up when I saw Lio's gray truck parked beside mine. I scanned the yard and porch but didn't see him. Lio had his own key and didn't need to wait for me to arrive. I left my duffle in the truck for now because the only thing that mattered was already inside the cabin. I recalled Earl's ashes were still on the seat, but I could almost hear his voice telling me to get my ass in there and claim my man. I broke into a light jog, took the porch steps two at a time, and flung open the front door. Lio, who was unpacking grocery bags, spun around and squared his body for an attack. When he saw it was me, tension melted from his lithe frame, and a sweet smile spread across his face. I didn't bother closing the door behind me because two more seconds away from him was two too many. I started toward Lio as he pushed off the counter and strode toward me. We crashed together in the center of the cabin, our arms entwining around one another and our lips fusing in a hot, hungry kiss.

I didn't tease Lio's lips apart; this wasn't the time for finesse. I pushed my tongue between them, groaning when he wrapped his lips around it and sucked. My heart sped, pumping blood and lust throughout my body. I slid one hand down to cup his firm ass and tangled the other in his hair, tilting his head back so I could deepen the kiss. Lio slid one hand between us and eased it up my torso, leaving a fiery trail in his wake. There were too many clothes between us, and this wasn't the position where I'd do my best work.

"Lio," I groaned when he pulled back. "I know there's so much we need to say, but I need you."

Lio released a pitiful whimper as he rested his forehead against my shoulder. "We don't have enough time for what I want to do to you."

My fingers flexed against his ass. "Not with me?"

He lifted his head and met my gaze. Christ . Lio's dark eyes burned hot enough to incinerate everything around us. "That too, but it will have to wait until they leave."

I blamed the blood flooding south for why I'd missed the first reference to a time constraint. All I'd heard was that Lio wanted to do things to me, but I definitely picked up on the second reference. "They? Who?" Before he could answer, a vehicle pulled up outside. I stepped away from Lio but didn't look to see who'd arrived. "What did you do?"

Lio smiled hesitantly, but I didn't want to be swayed. I had been looking forward to having him all to myself for the weekend and was annoyed it wouldn't happen. "This seemed like the perfect time for the fearsome foursome to get together." That was the moniker our army unit had given Jeremy Abbott, Allen Mancini, Lio, and me. No task was too challenging for the fearsome foursome.

"You called them?"

"They're your friends, and they know how much Earl meant to you." It was on the tip of my tongue to ask if this was a test. I'd promised to make things right with Jeremy, and Lio had seized the opportunity to make me put up or shut up. I dismissed the notion as quickly as it arrived.

Lio's warm brown eyes pleaded with me for something. Understanding? Forgiveness? Heavy boot treads on the wooden porch steps said our time was up, and I turned to face our first visitor. The sun was behind the intruder, which meant all I saw was the silhouette of a man. It didn't match either Jeremy or Allen. This guy was much leaner than either of them.

"Just like old times," the man said, and recognition dawned.

"Jeremy," I said, moving toward the door. He stepped farther into the cabin, and I could finally make out his face. He was so much thinner than the last time I saw him, and I probably wouldn't have recognized him on the street.

"Good to see you," Lio said. The two men hugged, but the tension between them was unmistakable. They'd worked great together in the field, but their personalities were oil and water. No doubt my stupid hookup with Jeremy didn't help matters. Even if Lio didn't orchestrate this on purpose, this weekend would be the perfect time to set things right.

"It's been a while," Jeremy said, his gaze bouncing between us. "What's new?"

Before I could answer, a vehicle door shut outside, and another familiar voice filtered into the cabin. "You better not have started without me," Allen yelled out.

I couldn't decide if his timing was a blessing or a curse, but I'd take the reprieve from the conversation I needed to have with Jeremy.