Blaze (Steel Brothers Saga 21)

“We have to keep the whole thing contained,” I tell her. “We need to be able to stay close enough that we can get an accurate recording. Plus, we need to be able to stay close enough that we can come in in case something goes wrong.”

“Nothing will go wrong,” Rory says. “I can handle Pat Lamone.”

“I don’t doubt that you can. But we don’t know much about him. What if he gets violent?”

“What if I slip him a little something?” Rory’s lips curve slightly upward.

I’m not sure if it’s a smile or a… Yeah, I’m not sure.

“Then we’re no better than he is,” Jordan says.

“True. I can’t help but agree.” I rub my forehead. “But maybe… Maybe there’s something we can slip him that isn’t…illegal.”

“We’re all under twenty-one,” Rory says. “Everything is illegal for us.”

“Not everything. What about a big dose of antihistamine?”

“What if he’s allergic?” Jordan asks.

“Who the hell is allergic to Benadryl? It’s meant to counteract allergies.”

“I want him to talk,” Rory says, “not fall asleep.”

“There’s that alpha place between asleep and awake,” I say. “That’s when you’ll be able to get him to talk.”

Jordan frowns. “I don’t know, guys. I still think that makes us no better than he is.”

“Jordan,” I say, “there is a huge difference between spiking punch that the entire school is going to drink with an illegal drug like angel dust and spiking one guy’s drink with Benadryl.”

“Which is not illegal.” Rory nods. “We can buy it at the pharmacy.”

Jordan’s expression is unreadable for a few seconds, until—

“Okay. I’ll talk to Cage.”

I smile. “Then it’s settled. Jordan, get the van. Rory and I will take care of the rest.”

CHAPTER SIX

DONNY

In the office, midafternoon, my phone buzzes with a text from Callie.

We’re about fifteen minutes out. Do you want Rory and me to drop the car at the office?

The text is basic, but still, it heats my skin just knowing Callie sent it.

I text her back.

Don’t worry about that. Just go ahead home, and I’ll pick up the car at your place later.

Are you sure? I can put in an hour or two of work once we get there.

Such a work ethic. Callie Pike is something else.

No, that’s okay. But would you like to have dinner tonight?

I hit send, and then I realize that Mom and Dad will be home by dinnertime. Crap. That’s okay. We’ll drive into Grand Junction and have dinner.