Chapter 37

LYNN

My phone alarm goes off at six thirty the next morning, and I immediately silence it, cursing myself for not leaving it on vibrate. I can't afford for anyone to question what I'm doing up so early. Especially since Cash, for some unknown reason, decided to stick around and spend the night in his room last night. He must be mowing Mama's lawn this morning or something.

This is the first night since the weekend that I've spent without Joey, and I have to admit I missed waking up in his arms. I've truly become addicted to that man. The thought has me smiling as I head for the hall bathroom to quietly shower and get ready.

Today is the day I'm heading back to Raleigh to track down Edward Dante. Despite my brothers' best efforts, I remained mum about any names and specifics last night. They'll get the dirt when I have something concrete to share. If this Dante guy is a serial criminal, surely we can find out more when we get a picture of him. Or it could be a dead end, for all I know. It might not be the same Eddie Dante who stole Larry, in which case I'll have to switch to plan B and call the number Guy gave me. Whatever happens, I'll figure it out.

I do wish Joey didn't have that charity thing today so he could come with. Playing private investigator with him was fun last time, and then he wouldn't have to waste all his time worrying about me. The way he kissed me goodbye by his truck last night told me he's going to spend today worrying himself sick. I'll have to be sure to check in as often as I can to ease his mind.

I dress in black shorts and a black tank to stay on theme, and I sweep my hair up into a high ponytail as I quietly descend the staircase. But when I get to the key rack in the kitchen, I notice my keys aren't there. I backtrack up the stairs and check my shorts pockets from yesterday. Still no key. Which is odd considering I've been hanging my keys on that rack every day I've been home since I was sixteen.

"Looking for these?" Cash asks, scaring the ever-loving shit out of me when I reenter the kitchen.

"Jesus, Mary, and Jolene!" I smack my chest, checking to make sure my heart didn't splat against my ribcage. "You know I can't handle jump scares!"

Instead of him reveling in my pain with a laugh, however, my brother's face is a study in sobriety as he watches me from his spot at the kitchen table. My car keys dangle from his index finger like he's some Hollywood supervillain who's just caught his archnemesis in the act.

When I approach and swipe at his hand to grab them, he catches the keys in his palm, and they disappear into his pocket.

"What are you doing?" I ask, beginning to get irritated.

"Funny. That's exactly what I was going to ask you."

I glare at him, my annoyance clocking in at a high seven now. "Going to work. Give me my keys."

"No." He stands then, using his height to his advantage by peering down at me with flinty eyes. What the hell is going on here?

"You're really starting to annoy me, Cash."

I expect him to break character and laugh before handing my keys over and maybe ruffling my hair like I'm still five. But his next words have all the blood draining from my face and settling in my Chucks.

"You really think we were going to let you go to Raleigh by yourself to chase down that asshole?"

Dammit! How did they guess I was going today? I made sure to tell Mama last night that I had work today—I even said it loud enough to make sure every damn person there heard me.

"What are you talking about?" I try lying, even though I know my face already gave me away. Why, oh why didn't I join drama club in high school?

"Nice try. I know all about Eddie Dante and Guy Taylor, and there is no way you're going into the lion's den. One of us is gonna figure out a way to go without our women calling the cops."

My hands hit my hips at his words. "Yeah, and that one of us is me!" I lunge for his pocket, not even caring if I accidentally punch him in the nuts in the process. But Cash easily captures both my wrists in one of his giant fists. Why couldn't my brothers be a bunch of wimps instead of these overly-fit brutes?

"Not a chance."

"Cash Brooks, you do not own me! I can do as I damn well please!"

Mama stumbles into the kitchen, her hair a wild mass of curls around her head and her eyes heavy with sleep. "What in tarnation is goin' on here?"

"Nothing," Cash insists, letting go of my wrists but maintaining his glare.

I hold his eyes too, determined not to be the first to break contact. "Just the usual, Mama. Cash treating me like I'm five and telling me what I can and can't do."

"Cash!" Mama scolds, but it bounces right off my brother.

"Lynn wants to drive halfway across the state to chase down a criminal all by herself." His jaw is tense enough to crack nuts.

"What?" Mama gasps.

Why is he telling her this? I specifically waited until Mama was out of earshot to share about Larry last night at dinner. And now he's spilling the beans?

"It's nothing, Mama. Cash doesn't even know what he's talking about." How in the hell did he get those names, though? Did he track down that customer like I did?

"Yes, I do. Lynn knows where Larry is, and she's heading to Raleigh to stake out the house of the guy who stole him."

It's my turn to gasp. How does he know about the stakeout? It takes my brain less than ten seconds to put two and two together and get… Ace.