“No. How would I know? And even if I did find him, I couldn’t have done that to him with my shoulder. Someone else got to him.” My eyes diverted to Grace.
“We’re just waiting for him to wake up to question him.”
“Okay. Let me know.”
“I will, partner. Talk to you later.”
I set down my phone and sighed.
“Your partner?” Grace asked.
“Yeah. Cody is still unconscious. You didn’t answer my question. Where are you staying?”
“Days Inn. Anyway, thanks for lunch. I need to get going.”
“You’re welcome. Hand me your phone.” I held out my hand, palm facing up.
“Why?”
“I’m going to put in my number. I want you to have it if you need anything.”
She took her phone from her purse and handed it to me. After I put in my number, I sent myself a text message. When my phone lit up, she glanced over at it and then looked back at me as I sat there with a smile on my face.
“I can’t believe I fell for that.” She shook her head.
“Will you promise me something?” I asked her.
“What?”
“If you find out anything, I need you to call me. Promise?”
“Yeah. I’ll call you.”
She slid out of the booth, and I walked her to the door.
“Be careful, Grace,” I spoke with a serious tone.
“You don’t have to worry about me, detective. I can take care of myself.”
“I have no doubt you can but promise me you’ll still be careful.”
“I will.” A small smile crossed her lips.
As soon as she walked out, I went to the kitchen to say goodbye to Sebastian.
“I’m heading out, bro. Thanks for lunch. By the way, be at my house tonight at seven. Bring the food.”
“Hold on a second. What’s going on with that woman?”
“We’ll talk later. I have to go.”
I thought about Grace the rest of the day. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get her out of my head. I still had so many questions for her. She said going after Ives was personal, but she wouldn’t say why. Taking a seat at my computer in my home office, I ran a search on her. Leaning back in my chair, I placed my hands behind my head and stared at the screen.
“Who the hell are you really, Grace Adams?”
“Bro?” Stefan interrupted my thoughts. “What are you doing? We’re all outside.”
“Sorry. I didn’t realize the time.”
“Sam brought the beer.”
I followed my brother outside and saw Sam and Sebastian sitting down in the loungers. Sam grabbed a beer bottle from the case and held it out to me.
“Thanks.” I took a seat next to him.
“So, are you going to tell us who the hot chick is?” Stefan asked with a grin on his face.
Taking the cap off the bottle, I flung it at him.
“Her name is Grace Adams and she’s a detective with the NYPD.”
“How did you meet up with her?” Sam’s brows furrowed. “You’re not even working right now.”
I brought the bottle up to my lips and took a sip.
“I found my CI earlier and he told me where Cody was.”
“The guy who shot you?” Sebastian’s brows furrowed.
“Yes. When I got to the warehouse, he was lying on the floor all beat to shit with a broken arm and broken jaw. Grace had the heel of her shoe jammed into his abdomen while holding her gun to him.”
“Holy shit!” Stefan laughed. “Are you serious? She did all that to the guy?”
“She did, and she doesn’t have a scratch on her.”
“I think the important question here is what the hell were you doing going to that warehouse when you’re on leave?” Sam asked.
“Come on, bro. You already know the answer to that,” Sebastian spoke.
“So, what is Grace doing here? How did she find this guy?”
“She told me she’s after Ives and his crew for ‘personal’ reasons. Apparently, she tracked down my CI and made him tell her.”
“And that’s all you know?” Sam asked.
“She said she isn’t leaving L.A. until she gets every last one of them.”
“Damn. I want to meet her,” Stefan said.
“She’s hot, bro.” Sebastian grinned at him.
“Where is she now?” Sam asked.
“I don’t know. She left after lunch. I gave her my number and I got hers. I made her promise to call me if she finds out anything.”
“What does she look like?” Stefan asked.
“She’s tall, lean, but kind of built, green eyes, long dark hair,” Sebastian said.
“Really?” I cocked my head at him and narrowed my eyes.
“What? He asked and I answered.”
“I’m telling Emilia you’re checking out other women.” I pointed my finger at him.
“Please. I wasn’t checking her out. Besides, Emilia will always be the most beautiful woman in the world to me.”
“Why are you getting all worked up?” Stefan asked.
“I’m not getting worked up. What the fuck?” I held out my arms.
“Yes, you are.” A smirk crossed Sam’s lips.
“The hell I am. You shouldn’t be talking about other women like that.”
“Really?” Sebastian cocked his head at me. “Didn’t you tell Emilia that she could be your doctor any day?”
“And? I’m not in a relationship. The three of you are!”
As we were sitting there talking, Julia walked over and sat down on Sam’s lap.
“How’s your shoulder, Simon?”
“It hurts, Julia. But I’ll be fine. How are you feeling?”
“Sick as usual.” A soft smile crossed her lips. “Don’t forget that I have my doctor’s appointment in the morning,” she said to Sam.
“I haven’t forgotten, baby.” He kissed her head. “You look tired. Let’s go home. It’s been fun, my brothers. I’ll talk to you three tomorrow.”
“Good night, Sam. Good night, Julia,” the three of us spoke at the same time.
“Have you guys noticed that Julia is already starting to show?” I asked. “She isn’t that far along.”
“Emilia made a comment about that the other day and said that it’s possible she’s carrying twins since they run in Julia’s family,” Sebastian said.
“Shit. I didn’t even think of that.” Stefan laughed. “Oh my God, Sam would die. Double the mess.”
Sebastian and I started laughing with him. When my phone rang, I pulled it from my pocket and saw it was Grace.
CHAPTER 6
Grace
I stood in the middle of my motel room and stared at the two guys lying unconscious on the floor. Bringing my hand up to my forehead, I wiped the blood that ran down the side of my face. Grabbing my phone, I took pictures, took their phones from their pockets, unlocked them with their faces, and then I climbed into my car and sped away, making sure I wasn’t being followed. I pulled over in a parking lot and called Simon.