Page 15 of Triple the Secrets
Rogue scowled. “Then leave it for tomorrow. Never told you to stay late to do shit.”
“Then I would have that much more on my plate tomorrow,” she said mildly. “Now, stop avoiding my question and give me a straight answer.”
“Go home, Esme,” he said, turning away.
“Nope. Not until you tell me what has you cursing and throwing things like a toddler having a tantrum.”
Her words irritated him further. Anger burned in his gut, but not at her. At himself. It was his own fault for acting this way. “Not your business, woman,” he snapped at her.
“Watch it, brother,” Fury’s voice said in warning as he came through the bay door to stand beside Esme.
Rogue grumbled under his breath. “Look,” he said in a clipped voice, “I have no time or inclination to share my feelings and all that bullshit. Esme, I appreciate your concern, but you and Fury need to go home to Gabe and leave me the hell alone.” Blunt? Yes. Rude? Definitely, but he didn’t give a shit.
“You deal with him,” Esme said to Fury. “And if you can’t, I’ll sic Royal and Harlow on his grumpy ass.” With that final threat, she turned and walked away.
Fury eyed him for a moment. “Going to share what’s got you in a twist, or should I just assume you’re just in one of your moods and leave it be?”
Rogue glared at him. “Fuck off,” he snapped, grabbing another wrench and leaning back over the car in front of him.
“Fine. But you know Esme is just going to ask you again tomorrow. Woman is like a damn dog with a bone.”
Wasn’t that the truth? Rogue huffed out a sigh and finally said, “You know the librarian?”
“Ms. Scarlett? Yeah. Pretty sure Gabe’s got a crush on her.”
Rogue shook his head and glanced at him. “He’s got a crush on one of the twin girls living with her.”
Fury smirked. “Okay, so what’s the deal with the sexy librarian? You got the hots for her and not sure how to ask her out or something?” he joked.
Rogue pinned him with a hard stare, but Fury just grinned. “She’s running from something,” he said instead.
Fury immediately lost his grin. “Something you think will affect the boys?” His eyes darkened.
“Not too sure,” Rogue answered honestly. “Had Code look into her, but nothing is coming up. The girls, though, didn't exist until about 3 years ago.”
He frowned. “You think she kidnapped them or something?”
“Doesn’t seem the type. I think if she has them, she’s protecting them from someone. I’ve been following her around a bit—”
“Following her?” he interrupted, arching a brow. “Damn, brother, I know you’re nuts, but didn’t realize it evolved into stalking women.”
Rogue flipped him off, not liking that his words were far too close to Scarlett’s. “Tell me you wouldn’t do the same thing if you saw Esme before you met her and thought she was in trouble?” he said pointedly. Fury just shrugged, but didn’t deny it. “She’s running from something and I want to know what. She said that something happened to her a few years ago that’s made her jumpy, but it’s more than that.”
“Wait, so you talked to her?”
Rogue gave him an irritated look. “I talked to her at the grocery store.”
“And you just outright asked her if she was in trouble?”
“What? I was supposed to hope she could read my mind?” he drawled sarcastically. “Of course I did.”
Fury sighed. “And now you’re pissed because she didn’t tell you?”
“No.”
Fury arched a brow expectantly. Rogue didn’t answer, just held his gaze. Finally he sighed and said, “Fine, keep your secrets. You’re that pissed about whatever it is, go talk to her. You already know where she lives, and it’s better than you wallowing here in your own sour mood and annoying the rest of us.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m off to have dinner with my woman and son. You want to join us? Might make you all bright and chipper.”
Rogue flipped him off. “And put up with the endless questions from your woman? I don’t think so.”
