The Heir Affair (Las Vegas Nights 5)

“I like to think I’ve learned a little something these last few months.”

Trent snorted. “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.”

“Fine, I’m a jealous fool.” And for the first time in three months, it didn’t make him feel bad. Because it meant he cared. He felt. A lot. “Your sister is important to me. That’s why I’ve been acting like such an idiot.”

“You remember what I said to you when you first started dating her? I said I’d kick your ass if you hurt her. You promised me you wouldn’t.”

“I’m not overjoyed at the detour our conversation has taken. It’s never been my intention to hurt your sister.”

“I figured you were both adults and she knew what she was getting with you.” For some reason Trent was on a roll. “Frankly, I thought you’d move on before she got too attached.”

“I’m committed to making a life with Melody and our child. Nothing about that has changed. She’s the one with questions and doubts.” By the time Kyle got all that out, he was working hard to get air in and out of his tight chest. “Now, can we please get back to the anonymous gifts she’s been getting.”

“What else has arrived?”

“A basket of baby things.”

“Savannah mentioned something about that. You didn’t send it?”

Kyle wished he had. “No. And it showed up on her doorstep. No card. Nothing at all to indicate who it came from.”

“What do you mean it showed up on her doorstep?”

“I mean someone got into your gated community and into your locked backyard and put it on the front step of the guesthouse.”

“How the hell did that happen?”

That was the same question Kyle wanted answers to. His uneasiness grew with Trent’s concern added to the mix.

“I don’t know. I had her move into your house for tonight because there’s an alarm. It’s a start, but I would feel even more confident of her safety with her at my place. She, however, is resisting.”

“Do a better job of convincing her.”

Kyle resisted snapping at his best friend. None of this was Trent’s fault. Taking a few seconds to gather and then expel a long, steadying breath, Kyle said, “That’s my plan, but your sister has a mind of her own.” Thank goodness. And yet with her safety at risk, Kyle wished she was a little bit more tractable.

“What do you want me to do?”

“I don’t suppose you could come up with a good reason for her to come to LA for a visit?”

“I know Nate’s been talking about her doing a concert to kick off her album. Maybe we could put something together here.”

“Do you want to give him a call?” Kyle asked. “Or should I?”

“I’ll do it. What are you planning for the rest of the night?”

“I thought I’d sit in my car and watch your house.”

A long pause followed his words. When Trent spoke, he sounded more serious than ever. “Is that really necessary?”

“Maybe not, but she and the baby are the two most important people in my world. I can’t risk anything happening to either of them. And it’s not as if I’m going to be able to go home and sleep.”

“I’ll call Nate and let you know what I find out.”

Kyle pushed back his seat and settled in for a long night. At least he wasn’t going to struggle to stay awake. His nerves were too much on edge to allow him to sleep. With his phone connected to Trent’s Wi-Fi, the car filled with live sports talk from ESPN. The conversation didn’t do much to tax his attention, but the sound kept him alert. An hour into his vigil, Trent called back.

“My sister called to tell me there’s a stalker in her driveway.” Trent’s drawl lacked any tension, so he obviously knew where Kyle was at the moment. “Any idea who that might be?”

“Text her back and let her know that come morning I expect coffee and some of those disgusting frozen waffles you keep in your freezer.”