Van, Becca - Her Shadow Men [Slick Rock 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Becca van Page B

up again.”
    “Shit. I don’t know. I just don’t know,” Daniel replied, then signaled his brother to keep quiet when he heard Deb coming toward them, her bag in her hand. She wanted to leave right then, but he wanted answers first. “What’s going on, Debbie?”
    “Nothing. I just have too much to do to idle the day away in bed. I do have a business to run, you know.”
    Daniel hated the way she was withdrawing from them. Her face was expressionless, a blank mask without any feeling, but her eyes told a different story. He knew she had a business which needed her attention. He also knew she was using it as an excuse to leave. He didn’t want her to go, but he knew he couldn’t force her to stay. He sighed with resignation and pulled his keys from his jeans pocket.
    “Okay, then let’s go. Are you sure this is what you want?” Daniel asked quietly. She didn’t speak to him, just gave a nod of her head. He sighed again and headed out. He was at the truck before he realized he hadn’t taken her bag from her. She had him so rattled he’d forgotten his manners. It was too late to take it from her now. She’d already opened the back door to put her bag in.
    He was about to lift her into the passenger seat when there was a loud crash inside. The sound of something breaking and the roar of fury coming from his brother echoed his own sentiments. He saw Debbie flinch and bite her lip. He knew she felt responsible, but he also knew she wasn’t about to change her mind. She slid into the seat, put her safety belt on, and clenched her hands in her lap.
    She didn’t talk to him at all on the trip back to her shop. He pulled the truck into the alley behind her store, and she didn’t look at him when she gave him her thanks and climbed the stairs to her apartment. She never once looked back. She disappeared behind the closed door.
    Daniel slammed his palm onto the steering wheel, savoring the pain, trying to get rid of the ache in his heart. It didn’t help. He put the truck in gear and roared away. He and Britt couldn’t look out for her personally now, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t make her as safe as possible. He pulled his cell from his pocket and called the after-hours number of the local security company. He didn’t care how much it cost. By the end of today, Debbie’s apartment and shop were going to have the best security system and locks money could buy.
    As he pulled into the driveway, Britt was mowing the lawn. He had already used the edge trimmer, and he could tell by his brother’s jerky movements he was still furious and in pain. He got out of the truck, went out back, and began to chop wood. By the time he and Britt were finished, they were both covered in sweat from their strenuous activities, and it hadn’t helped one little bit.
    Daniel was beside himself with worry for Debbie. He wanted to know what was going on inside that hard head of hers. There was only one person he could think of who might have an inkling as to what had gone wrong. He hurried inside and picked up the phone.

    * * * *

    The knock on the door to her apartment made her jump. Debbie didn’t want to open the door in case it was Britt or Daniel, but she had never been a coward before. She wrenched the door open and was surprised to see the man from the local security company standing on the landing.
    “Ms. Newsome, do you remember me? I’m Giles Alcott. My brothers Remy and Brandon helped you with your security system.”
    “Yes, I remember you, Mr. Alcott. How can I help you?”
    “I’m here to update your system.”
    “Pardon?”
    “I said—”
    “I know what you said, Mr. Alcott, but I don’t understand. I was going to call you tomorrow to replace the system I have, but since I haven’t done that yet, I’d like to know what you’re doing here.”
    “Please, call me Giles. Your new system and locks have already been paid for. My brothers are just getting the stuff out of the truck. Would you be able to