Slenderman Page 11

  Her fingers covered his mouth. “First, I’ll get comfortable here. It’ll take time, but it’s already happening. My movies are mingled with yours, and my CDs have been added to yours. This will become my home because you live here. Second, my ego is not so fragile that it’ll crumble over being teased about your money and me living in a castle. I couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks.” Her lips took the place of her fingers, and she pecked his lips as she made each point. “Only your opinion matters. Third, this house holds so many memories of your parents. With my parents, they’re only a phone call away. And if something happens to them, God forbid, I know you’ll push me to bring things from their home to remember them. Like you did with my ugly yellow table everyone makes fun of, and the corkboard I’ve solved so many cases on that it’s falling apart.”

  “Your yellow table is an acquired taste, and I would miss it after getting used to it. As for the corkboard. We can have it framed and get you a new one.” Resting his hands on her hips, he urged her back until she was sandwiched between him and the wall. Claiming her lips, he lost himself in her. Her spicy flavor, panting breath, and quiet whimpers.

  He cupped the head and tilted it for a better angle. Her left leg slid over the outside of his leg, and he gripped her ass to lift her. With a groan, he pushed away from her before following through with the move. Rian’s excited voice rose and fell as he greeted Evan. Sighing, he grabbed another quick kiss. “The hammock after dinner?”

  “Sounds like a plan. I’ll go wash up because the fried chicken is making my mouth water.” Her fingers trailed over the buttons of his shirt. “The food isn’t all that’s making it water, but I’ll satisfy that hunger later.” She sauntered from the room.

  He shook his head fondly at her as he adjusted his blazer to hide the erection pushing against his slacks. She always knew just what to say to him to keep her at the forefront of his mind.

  His gaze taking in the room again. This must have been why Rian had been acting evasive and nervous the last week. Dodging questions Rhys had about Rian’s game and subtly questioning him to see if he was still providing Jo’s team information. He trusted Jo not to ask, but Redden and Ian had a tendency to talk about the case while eating their meals in the kitchen. It had taken Rhys and Jo together explaining to them why they couldn’t do that anymore to make them stop. Now he realized Rian’s nerves didn’t stem from the investigation at all. His brother had something important he wanted to present to his family.

  The scene was reminiscent of when Rian had asked to move to the pool house. He’d spent a month talking to himself, jumping to help Marta any chance he could, and asking basic questions on housekeeping. When he was ready, he had set the dining room table and asked Lisa, Marta, Rhys, and Jo to please be at dinner that night. Then he’d laid everything out in as logical a manner as he could. They had agreed to a trial run, and six months later everyone was comfortable with the new arrangement. Rian felt more independent. Rhys and Jo could make out on the couch without commentary. Lisa enjoyed the suite she had and the quiet time while Rian was gone, she could spread out in the den and study. It had been harder for her here with Jo, Rhys, and Marta barging into the room and distracting her.

  Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and homemade biscuits were all fresh from the kitchen. Just as it was six months ago. Rian had chosen it because it was the same dinner their parents requested when they had big news to share with their family.

  A noise drew Rhys’s attention, and he smiled to see his brother with Evan trailing him. “Hey, you two. You look very nice tonight, Evan.”

  “Thanks.” Evan ducked his head as he took a seat.

  Rian sat to his right.

  Evan was out of his polos and khakis. Instead, he wore light blue button-down shirt and black slacks. His dark blond hair had also been combed, and his jaw was shaved. Where Rian bounced with nerves, Evan twisted his cloth napkin between his fingers.

  Silence reigned until the rest of the group bustled in, Jo coming in last with a basket of biscuits. After everyone sat and loaded their plate, Rian scraped his fork through his potatoes and then blurted out. “I-want-Evan-to-move-into-the-pool-house-with-me.”

  Rhys winked at Jo behind his tea glass before donning his ‘serious face,’ as his brother called it. “I’m assuming you’ve discussed this with Lisa.”

  He’d liked Lisa the day Maddy had introduced them. No nonsense but with a wicked sense of humor, she handled Rian like a pro. Knowing when to back off and let him make his own mistakes and when to step in and put her foot down. Rhys had been worried since Jo’s family were loud and opinionated. He’d expected Lisa to be the same, but she was laid back compared to the other Rayburns.

  He appreciated how the Rayburns always showed how much they cared. Calling Rian on his cell to check in on him. Inviting him and Rhys to get-togethers which could be anything from fishing with Carl to bowling with the men and sons. And they were always there to lend a hand when Rhys needed them.

  When they’d wanted to install a pool, Jo had a cousin who worked for a contractor. When Rhys’s gardener had retired, Jo had a cousin whose wife was studying horticulture and botany with plans on starting a landscaping business. The classes set Rhys’s mind at ease about his mother’s prized orchids, and Penny now came over to look over the orchids and have tea with Marta. The two had become fast friends.

  His heart felt full to bursting at how blessed he was. Each of these individuals made up Rhys’s family. Only he and Rian were related by blood, but Marta was the mother figure who took care of them. Lisa was the sister who made sure Rian was taken care of and Evan was another little brother to watch out for. Then Jo, who was Rhys’s heart. Without her, none of this would have worked. He would’ve smothered Rian with how protective he’d become. Jo knew when to drag Rhys back and let Rian breathe.

  “Actually, they both came to talk to me since Evan has very different needs than Rian. They wanted to make sure I could handle them.” Lisa grinned. “Evan even had a binder specifying his schedule, challenges, and dietary restrictions.”

  Rhys coughed into his burgundy napkin to hide his chuckle. It didn’t help when his gaze tangled with Jo’s finding her stifling her own mirth. She gave Rhys a thumbs up. The first time he had left her alone with Evan and Rian overnight she had been nervous. Worried she couldn’t handle Evan if he became overwhelmed. It had happened, and Rian had stepped in to help Jo get Evan to a guest room to decompress. When Rhys had returned home, he’d found them all on the different pieces of the sectional in the den having a television slumber party, something Evan’s parents never allowed.

  Rhys wanted her opinion but refused to embarrass the boys. He leaned over. “Are you okay with this?”

  “You know I am. Now that we have Lisa in case of any meltdowns, I’m fine with it.” She patted his thigh before lifting a chicken leg to her mouth and taking a bite.

  Rhys had spent years navigating Evan’s triggers on camping trips and outings. Looking at Lisa, he arched a brow. “Will you be able to handle the two of them?”

  “I think so, but you and I had talked about getting someone to relieve me a few weekends out of the month. Maybe we could alter the plan.”

  “How so?” He ate a forkful of the crisp green beans that held a hint of cinnamon.

  “How about allowing a friend who’s a year behind me come and live in the pool house with us? She’s studying to be a friend for people with special needs.”

  He stifled his smile at her chosen word of ‘friend.’ It was what Lisa had instructed Rhys to call her instead of a nanny, since Rian associated that with a babysitter and he was adamant he was not a baby.

  “You already have someone in mind?” Rhys’s eyebrows rose. They’d only discussed the free weekends two weeks ago.

  Lisa rolled her eyes. “Well, yeah. Rian and I sometimes need breaks from eac
h other, right, Ri?”

  “Hecks yeah. Besides, I know all her moves on Mario Kart. Some new blood would be greatly appreciated.”

  Lisa squawked and pointed her fork at Rian. “Just for that, I’m kicking your rear on the next match. I’ll be Koopa Troopa, and you’ll eat my yellow dust.”

  Before they degenerated into gaming smack talk, Jo intervened. “You need to give her a heads up. I’ll want to do a background check. And Rhys will want to make sure she understands the rules and then if Rian and Evan are comfortable with her, I don’t see a problem.” She turned to Marta. “How about you?”

  Marta shrugged. “I’ll need his diet restrictions and allergies, but I’m game.”

  “If you need help—” Rhys hated giving Marta more work.

  Marta waved him off. “Please, you’re hardly here, and Jo barely makes a mess. The boys are the only ones I clean up after, and that’s mostly laundry and changing sheets since Rian’s become a pro at loading the dishwasher and house cleaning.”

  Rian beamed at Rhys. “So, can he?”

  Jo gaze caught and held his eyes as she dipped her chin. Support and understanding flowed from her and calmed the doubt swirling in his mind.

  “How about a three-month trial run? That way if either of you gets on each other’s nerves you have an out.” Rhys suggested.

  The boys looked at each other before both heads bobbed in agreement.

  “Evan, have you talked to your parents about this?” Rhys didn’t think Evan’s overprotective parents would let him leave. And was shocked when Evan nodded.

  These two had it more together than he thought. Maybe letting Rian live in the pool house had been a good idea.

  “They think it’ll be okay since Lisa is here and Marta makes the meals. But they want to discuss it with you.” His voice shook at the end as if he was unsure of his welcome, but his eyes held the light of excitement.

  Rhys understood. In any other situation, Evan would have been forced to live at home since he did not cope well with others and had a hard time sharing a room. But he and Rian meshed well, and Rhys and Rian had plenty of money to make sure the boys had what they needed to succeed. He also wouldn’t have to share a room with Rian since there were four bedrooms in the house. Each had been upgraded to include their own bathrooms when Rian moved out.

  “Fair enough. I’ll call and set up a time Jo and I can talk to them.”

  It warmed his heart when Jo laced their fingers together and said, “Just let me know, and I will get it on my calendar.”

  This would be a significant change in their lives and to have her support for his brother. To let Rian feel independent as much as he could, made Rhys want to gather her in his arms and never let go. Instead, he brought her palm to his mouth and placed a kiss to it. She beamed, her pale blue eyes sparkled with happiness.

  ~ ~ ~

  The dinner dishes were cleaned up, Rian and Evan had been whisked away by Lisa for their monthly gaming session at the library. Jo didn’t understand what all the game entailed, but the one time she went, it looked confusing having someone reading something from a piece of paper while others around the table responded based on dice rolls and their characters they’d designed in minute detail. She had no idea what spells of invisibility were, or regen spells to help heal a party. Sneaking up on assailants and how to knock them out in several ways without the use of a weapon-those were things she knew.

  Luckily with Lisa in their lives, Jo didn’t need to understand the intricate details of Rian’s gaming activities at the library so he could connect with other people. Could socialize in a setting where he shined. Rian and Jo played the regular games where she could drive a little toadstool around a rainbow track and beat Rian some of the time.

  The night air was cool, but between their coats and shared body heat, she and Rhys were toasty warm in the rope hammock nestled among the garden. Peace settled into her. It had been a rough few weeks with all their leads on the Slenderman case dead ending. On top of her regular caseload and her new duties as a lieutenant, she’d been swamped. No ringing phone pulled her attention. No teammate or partner yelled for her to come look at yet another crime scene. And no subordinates asked about the upcoming leave schedule.

  She snuggled her head deeper into the hollow of Rhys’s throat. His ocean scent with a hint of mint spoke of home. “This hammock was the best idea ever.”

  He hummed. The silence between them stretched, not uncomfortable. Instead, it was relaxing and filled with warmth. Jo cherished these moments the most, and she tried to never take them for granted. Quiet time with Rhys was as rare as a diamond these days. Between his schedule, her schedule, and Rian, the only time they connected was in bed.

  Crickets called to each other in the garden while lightning bugs lit the evening sky, and they swung gently cradled together in their own safe cocoon.

  “Are you sure you’re okay with Evan coming to live with us?” His voice a quiet rumble in his chest.

  “If I’d have had any doubts, I’d have asked for us to talk about them, but if Lisa is okay with it and her friend helps, then I’m fine with it.”

  “Are you fine with it though?”

  Confused, Jo tipped her face so she could meet Rhys’s gaze. The gold of his eyes was burnished and cloudy as if there was a weight he didn’t know how to express. “Ask me what you want Rhys, and quit dancing around the subject.”

  His muscled chest expanded under her as he took a deep breath. “You know Rian will be with us forever, right?”

  “Yes.” Jo had no clue where this was going.

  “I mean, we won’t take a spontaneous vacation to the beach when we both have a day free or take a road trip somewhere without him being included.” Rhys’s arm tightened around her after each point he made.

  “Unless we clear it all first, I know this, hon.” She rubbed his chest, hating that the fabric of his t-shirt blocked her from his skin. “I’ve known this since we started dating, before we moved into together, and I knew it when you asked me to marry you. With my job and your upcoming job, we wouldn’t be taking spontaneous trips anyway.”

  “It’s just. When Sharon left, it hurt, and she damaged Rian—”

  “I’m not Sharon.” Offended, Jo tried to sit up only to have the hammock tip dangerously to the left. She slid back into Rhys’s arms but scowled at him. “I love Rian, and if you and I hadn’t worked out, I’d still come to hang with him. He’s a cool kid. But I’m in love with you, Rhys. I knew from our first date Rian would always be in our home, in our lives. And when we have kids, he will make an amazing uncle.”

  “You want kids?”

  Jo squirmed. “Not right away, but yeah, eventually.”

  She hated Rhys’s ex was intruding into their lives again. It wasn’t enough the woman had walked out on Rhys because he refused to put Rian into a home, but then she came back and almost killed Rhys. As far as Jo was concerned, the woman should have been rotting away in a dank cell, but since Sharon had knowledge of a new group taking over the drug trade in the southeast, she’d been spared. The DEA and ATF were using her as a witness and mining her for every nugget of information she had.

  “I would love to see what our kids would look like—”

  “I hope like you,” Jo cut in. She was plain. Brown hair, even features, on the small side. The only notable thing about her was her eyes, and those scared the crap out of everyone. Mostly because she saw everyone she didn’t know as a threat until they proved to be a friend. It kept her on her toes and helped her keep Rhys and Rian safe.

  Rhys, on the other hand, was gorgeous. Light brown hair with streaks of blond, burnished gold, and dark wheat that looked like the same color of a lion’s mane. Dusky skin that tanned easily in the sun. Even his shimmering eyes were the color of a lion’s. Her sexy golden man.

  �
��And I want to look into maybe adoption or foster care. I think between all of us we’d be able to give them a stable home,” Rhys stated.

  Tears sprang to Jo’s eyes. It was what she’d wanted the most. She worked with disadvantaged kids, saw kids that would benefit so much from a good home and a solid foundation. Yeah, she and Rhys could have their own, but there were already so many children that needed parents. She wanted to do both. “Are you serious right now?”

  The worry etched into the lines in Rhys’s face fell to his beaming smile. “Yes.”

  She squealed and wiggled on top of him, the hammock rocked, tilting them precariously close to the concrete patio. Her legs bracketed him as she sat up, trying to help steady the thick pieces of rope. Rhys’s fingers dug into her thighs forcing her to stillness.

  “After I graduate, we’ll look into it. Right now, I’m starting the new job in a week.”

  “The one with your friends.” Jo nibbled her bottom lip. She hadn’t met the people who had wanted Rhys to set up practice with them yet.

  “Yep, you’re still off this weekend, right?”

  “Only Saturday for sure. Sunday I could be called in.”

  “I wanted you to meet my partners.”

  “We can try, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to stay the whole time. What did you have in mind?”

  “Dinner out. Maybe at the Indian restaurant in Highland.”

  “You know I’m in.” Indian was her second favorite type of restaurant. “But maybe we should plan it after the first of the year?”

  His frown was fierce. “Why?”

  “Because Sunday starts the official week of Halloween which means the wackadoos start up. If something happens Saturday night, I will get a call. And after Halloween, you know we get slammed. Between everyone taking time off plus how much crime ramps up, I’m always on the go.”