Page 63 of Night Moves
Natalie looked him in the eye. “If your mom will watch the kids, I’m coming with you.”
He widened his stance and worked his jaw muscles as if he were restraining himself from saying something. “I’d rather you stay here where it’s safe.”
“Your SUV is armored.” She raised her chin. “So I’m fine, right?”
“Yes, but—”
“She’s got you, bro,” Erik said.
“Plus I’ve talked to Faye before, and I know she’s uncomfortable around men after what happened to Laura. She’s more likely to open up with me.”
“No good excuse to leave her behind,” Erik said.
Drake glared at his brother.
“You’re the one in charge for once, vacating your devil’s advocate role. I need to take over.” Erik grinned, a boyish smile that seemed to fit the youngest member of the family. Natalie hadn’t noticed any other behaviors of a younger child, like acting spoiled. In fact, he seemed well-rounded and an all-out good guy. So why was he still single?
Drake scowled at his brother. “Not necessary.”
“That’s odd.” Erik tilted his head. “It’s always necessary whenyouweigh in.”
Drake’s fingers curled into fists, but he unfurled them and shook his head. “I guess you’re right.”
“Say what?” Erik gaped at his brother. “You actually said I’m right. Mind repeating it so I can get it on video.”
The brothers laughed, including Drake, who gave Erik a friendly sock in the arm. “Just know when this is over, I’ll be returning to my role as the family bad guy.”
“Fine,” Erik said with an easy acquiesce. “You can have it. Too much responsibility.”
“Footloose and fancy-free,” Aiden said. “Both of you.”
“Not a bad thing to be,” Drake said, grinning at his brothers.
Despite his desire to be free when her opinion was swinging in the opposite direction, her heart twanged. He was so devilishly handsome, and his bad boy vibe was almost impossible to resist. She didn’t see Drake fully in that role, but he fulfilled enough of it—a rebel, walked on the wild side, and volatile at times. All the opposite of her staid existence. She really fit the stereotype of a librarian, not a social worker. Prim and proper. Socially, on the shy side.
They complimented each other well, but Drake wasn’t looking for a woman to compliment his personality. He wasn’t looking for a woman at all.
“I just talked to Willow,” he said to the group. “She told me her mom filmed videos of her makeup and clothes. I got to thinking she might’ve been making them for the internet, somehow making money on it. Maybe if we find those videos, we can find a lead in the background or in something she says.”
“I’ll get going on looking for them,” Erik said. “Starting with YouTube, which is the most likely place she’d post videos. But you should know, if it’s a private channel, finding the information will be next to impossible.”
“Thanks for doing it, man,” Drake said. “I’m gonna owe you a lot when this is over.”
“You know it.” Erik grinned.
Drake was sure Erik would hold him to it. “If everyone’s good with us taking off for the interview, I’d like to spend the night in Portland so we don’t have to fight rush-hour traffic in the morning.”
“We’ve got things here,” Erik said. “As long as you make sure Mom and Dad look after the kids. I’m glad to do whatever you need on this investigation, but I draw the line at babysitting.”
Drake smiled, but the unease that had been in his gut since he learned Gentry was a serial killer remained. He knew the kids were safe with his brothers, and he was needed where he would be. Right by Natalie’s side at all times.
Natalie crashed on the plush sofa in Drake’s condo, but he paced at supersonic speed on the far side of the room. He was acting like a caged animal. She wished they could’ve stayed at the cabin, where he’d seemed more relaxed. This fiercely intense guy striding across the floor, pent-up energy oozing from his pores, felt like a stranger.
“You okay?” she asked.
He spun. “Too much sitting and not enough doing. I need to burn some energy off.”
“You’re making me nervous.”
