Page 77 of The Heartbreaker (Chandler Brothers 3)
“You were a foreign correspondent and willing to change positions in order to accommodate both of your needs. I’m going to write an article that’ll get picked up by every paper out there and decimate Sloane’s father’s political career. That’s hardly being a decent partner in marriage.”
“We’re talking marriage?” Rick asked. “Woo-hoo!”
Chase leveled him with his sternest glare. The one that had worked when a sixteen-year-old Rick had threatened to take Chase’s car if he didn’t choose to lend it to him. At almost nineteen, Chase had felt more like thirty and hadn’t trusted his middle sibling behind the wheel.
Rick merely shrugged. “You said the dreaded word first, not me.”
Obviously, now that Rick was thirty-five, Chase’s anger didn’t mean much anymore. Not when Rick thought himself right.
“Would you two behave?” Roman said, attempting to be the voice of reason.
Rick chuckled, but sobered quickly. “The kid’s right. We’ve got more immediate concerns, for now. What about Sloane?”
“What about her?” Chase asked, deliberately playing dumb because he wasn’t in the mood to deal with his siblings.
“She sure as hell doesn’t need to be alone after what Samson just pulled on her.”
Chase rolled his shoulders before giving his brothers the answer he’d been trying to make himself believe for the last hour. “Sloane needs time to sort through her feelings about Samson.”
“How about protection?” Rick asked, falling back into cop mode. “We already made sure the rest of the family, Pearl, Eldin, and Samson were safe. Doesn’t Sloane deserve the same?”
“As long as Sloane’s not with Samson, she’s fine. We already agreed on that. And Samson’s holed up in the guesthouse.”
“She may be physically safe, but what about emotionally?” Rick shook his head, treating Chase to a look that told him he was pathetic at understanding the opposite sex. “All women like to have that strong shoulder to rely on in times of need,” he said cleverly.
“And you would know.” Chase slanted his head to one side and met his middle brother’s amused gaze.
“Can I help it if I excel at rescuing damsels in distress?”
“It got you married in the end.”
Rick shrugged. “What of it? I didn’t marry any old woman Mom shoved in my face. I married Kendall, the right woman for me, not Mom. So did Roman. But you, big brother, are still running.”
“That’s a crock of shit,” Chase muttered. “I haven’t run from a damn thing in this lifetime, starting with my responsibilities to the two of you.”
“Those are long finished, Chase. But they’re a damn convenient excuse for you to use every time you want to avoid thinking about your feelings for Sloane.” Roman cleared his throat. “And it’s those responsibilities you’re running from.”
“What was your major in college, again?” Chase asked, not hiding his sarcasm. “Because I don’t recall you taking psych.”
Roman rolled his eyes. “It doesn’t require a rocket scientist to figure you out.”
“Oh, boys!” Pearl’s high-pitched voice interrupted their conversation as she burst through the front door.
“I thought you were at Raina’s,” Rick said, watching as Pearl made her way up the stairs and into the kitchen.
“I am, but you had rushed me before and I forgot my plate of brownies.” She perched one hand on her full hip and wagged her free finger in front of Rick’s nose. “What kind of houseguest doesn’t bring a thank-you gift to her host? Raina’s putting up with me in her not-so-healthy condition, so I came back here for my brownies. Because I’m grateful,” she continued rambling. “And because Charlotte’s so very pregnant and craving chocolate.”
“So where are the brownies?” Rick asked, eyeing her empty hands.
Chase figured Rick was angling for food.
“In the car out front. With Eldin, who’s waiting.” Pearl gestured outside. “But you should know, Samson’s gone. He’s not in the house where you told him he should stay. And when I realized he was missing, I didn’t want to be arrested for being an accessory to a crime, for not reporting his disappearance.” She nodded her head, certain she’d done the right thing.
Which she had, Chase thought. Even if her reasons made no sense and were completely skewed.
Rick placed an arm around her shoulder and started walking her toward the front door. “You did the right thing,” he assured her.
She nodded again. “There’s one more thing I should have mentioned earlier.”
Rick tipped his head to one side and stopped in his path. “What is it?”
“Samson’s been mentioning that someone keeps asking him for directions. The same man popping up in different places where he’s been. When we suggested he tell you, he said he wasn’t concerned. That the man had had many chances to take him out, if that’s what he wanted to do.” She twirled her fingers into her housecoat. “But Samson’s stubborn and doesn’t trust people to help him. He hasn’t for years.” Hanging her head low, she said, “I just thought you should know.”
