Page 12 of Shadows Redeemed
“Put me down, you big oaf!” Laughing, she smacked at his broad shoulders. “You’re going to break your back, old man.”
“With how light you are? Mom, you need to feed this one.”
Before she could say anything back, the others quickly descended, taking turns enveloping her half-hearted protests. For just a moment, she felt seventeen again instead of her world-weary twenty-nine.
From over Levi’s shoulder, she saw Parker watching the scene in front of him with an amused chuckle, hands shoved casually into his pockets, his nervousness gone for the moment. Levi spun her in a circle, and she knew the exact moment his eyes landed on Parker because he eased her back to the floor, his body tense.
“Parker.” Levi’s voice took on a protective edge. “Sagebrush, you brought company.”
Sage took in a slow breath, bracing herself, as the others turned to Parker with looks ranging from curiosity to animosity. “He’s actually the reason I’m back in New Orleans at the moment, to be honest. I brought him along tonight to keep him out of trouble.”
“He is, huh?” Taylor stepped forward, his arms crossed over his chest. “So what’s the case?”
She stiffened, not wanting to tell them about Jacob. Glancing at her mother, she noticed the older woman’s subtle shake of her head, showing she hadn’t told Sage’s brothers why she was truly in town. Good. Perhaps they would get through this visit without too much shouting.
A tense silence fell over the group as they made their way to the plush couches and armchairs, her brothers still giving Parker the stink eye. As far as she was concerned, he was on his own. She didn’t want to be in New Orleans in the first place.
“So, tell us about this case,” Colin asked, middle child and most persistent. “Is it going to keep you here for a while?”
She glanced over at her mother, but there would be no help there. Sage was on her own. Served her right, she supposed.
Her stomach twisted in a nauseous knot as she turned to face her brothers.Well, they’ll find out sooner or later.
With a deep breath, she glanced at Parker, hoping he kept his mouth shut. “Apparently, Jacob is missing.” She turned to the blond-headed Barrett, grimacing. “And on the run. Again.”
Levi leaned forward in his seat, clasping his hands together as he rested his elbows on his knees. “Jacob.” He glanced over at Parker. “That explains your presence here.”
A hush fell over the room, all eyes turning to Parker as if he single-handedly corrupted their sister. “What did he do now?” Taylor asked, cocking his head to the side, while Barrett simply asked, “What have you dragged our sister into this time?”
Sage rolled her eyes. “Stop it. He didn’t drag me into anything.” She sighed as she dropped her gaze to her hands. “I could have said no. And I’m not alone this time. My team’s here.” She glanced over at Parker, feeling a pang of protectiveness at the slight frown marring his features, when just an hour ago, she wanted to kill him. “Jacob’s missing, possibly shot, and we’re just trying to find him.” She glanced around the room at the others. “Bring him in safely if we can before either the NOPD or the Broussards take that option away from us.”
Her words seemed to do little to appease her family’s concerns, however. Barrett scoffed, shaking his head. “Didn’t you learn your lesson after helping him last time?”
“Obviously she didn’t,” Colin spat. “Sage, why are you putting yourself through this again? That man broke your heart.” He then turned to Parker, a scowl twisting his features. “You couldn’t go to anyone else?”
Parker shrugged. “She’s the best at what she does. I needed the best.”
“She’s the best at letting you and your brother drag her into your bullshit. Don’t you remember what happened last time?”
The jab hit its mark, and she flinched as the old hurts bubbled up. Dating Jacob had been the biggest mistake of her life, and her family had been there to pick up the pieces when her world finally exploded. She had ignored all the red flags until it was almost too late, too lost in chasing the high of being withsomeone who was into the thrill of the chase as much as she was. Of course, that chase almost killed her.
Parker moved as if he wanted to hold her hand, but stopped, rubbing his palm along his thigh instead. Probably a good thing with the way the conversation was going. She met his warm blue eyes, and a flutter rippled through her chest as she thought about how much they reminded her of a calm lake, peaceful and soothing.
She turned back to her brothers. “Jacob and I are over, have been for a couple of years. I’m just trying to help find him. That’s it. It’s not like last time.”
“No, it’s worse,” her mother said. “I read the papers. And you mentioned the Broussards. We all know what that family’s about. Even your brothers have had run-ins with them in their own investigation business.” Her mother pushed herself out of her seat. “But I know my daughter, and I know you’re going to do what you’re going to do. The least I can do is send you off to do it with a warm, full belly. Let me get dinner started. Red beans and rice coming up.”
The brothers exchanged skeptical looks, but said nothing more as their mother left the room. An uncomfortable silence stretched out until Levi spoke up once more, a troubled expression pinching his face.
“We just worry about you, Sagebrush. You’ve got a good heart, and folks are prone to take advantage of that.” He glanced over at Parker. “I don’t want to see you hurt again.”
Sage glanced over at Parker once more, doubting he would hurt her, and then wondering why she even had that thought when she had no intention of getting involved with Jacob’s baby brother. “There’s no worry there.” She turned back to her brother. “I plan on finding Jacob and then heading right back to Biloxi. Alone and unattached.” When she looked back at Parker, she couldn’t miss the sadness that washed over him. Had hehoped there would be more between them? No. There was no way he could have thought that. Why would he think that? It made no sense. Did it?
The shrill ring of her phone shattered her rabbit trail, almost making her jump.
Three of her brothers laughed, but Levi merely stared at her as if he knew where her thoughts had traveled.
She pushed the look on her brother’s face out of her mind as she yanked her phone from her back pocket. Glancing over at Parker, she lifted the phone into the air. “Dane.” She turned to her brothers as she pushed herself out of the chair. “I have to get this. It’s my boss.”
