Page 49 of Solid as Steele
Owen might be grumpy, but he hadn’t lost his manners and opened the passenger door for Mackenzie then climbed into the back.
No one spoke as Ryleigh got them on the road.
They’d traveled a good distance on the highway leading to the western Portland suburbs when Owen leaned forward between the seats. “Thanks for picking us up.”
Mackenzie looked at Ryleigh for her reaction. She gave a sharp nod, but the tightness around her mouth hadn’t relaxed.
“Do you want my parents’ address now?” Owen asked.
“No need,” Mackenzie said. “Ryleigh will be stopping at home, and I’ll drive you wherever you want to go.”
“Oh, right. Good idea.” Owen settled back as if he planned to clam up again.
“Ryleigh’s an FBI agent.” Mackenzie knew Ryleigh would likely ask questions about the investigation and this way Owen knew she would understand any technical details.
He leaned forward again. “What’s your specialty?”
Great.He actually seemed interested.
“Information technology with a focus on cybercrimes,” Ryleigh said.
“I have a lot of respect for you guys.” Owen smiled at the mirror. “I have like zero interest in that stuff, but our IT guys have saved my bacon more times than I can count. Both when I mess up my laptop and on investigations.”
“We are pretty special. Just ask us.” Ryleigh glanced in the mirror and laughed.
Owen cracked a smile. “How long have you been an agent?”
“Recently passed my five-year anniversary.”
He tilted his head. “Like the job?”
“I do.” Ryleigh paused and was quiet for a long moment. “You see a whole lot of awful in five years though.”
Owen’s eyes narrowed. “That’s the truth.”
“See.” Mackenzie looked at her sister. “That’s why it’s time to join us at the company. We desperately need your IT skills.”
Ryleigh sighed. “They’ve been pressuring me since I hit five years.”
“You had to fulfill the requirement to join the family business,” Owen said.
Mackenzie looked back and locked gazes with him. “I didn’t think you would remember that.”
“I remember every word you’ve said.”
Their gazes held, and they connected on a deeper level. Maybe because she knew who he was now and his struggles. His pain.
She should look away before Ryleigh caught onto her attraction, but Mackenzie was frozen in time.
Ryleigh cleared her throat.
They both snapped free like they’d been caught making out in public.
“How long have you been a detective?” Ryleigh asked.
“I joined the force right out of college and was a patrol officer for eleven years. Been a detective for four.”
“You still like it?”
