Holiday Baby Scandal

Ryker wasn’t about to let just anyone into Braden’s home. They were in the middle of a celebration. After a month of tiptoeing around the fact he and Laney were living together, the brothers had finally come to realize that Ryker and Laney were a done deal.

But it wasn’t so much their relationship they were celebrating. Zara was pregnant again, and Mac and Jenna were closing in on their wedding date. There was plenty to be happy about...except this visitor at their door.

“I’m an investigator. Jack Carson.”

Investigator. More like a nosey jerk with too much time on his hands.

“And what do you want?” Ryker asked, curling his fingers around the edge of the door and blocking the narrow opening with his body. “We have attorneys, so if you have an issue—”

“There’s been a fire at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Parker in Bradenton.”

Ryker froze. “A fire?” He’d just talked to them two days ago. They were still haggling over prices for their antiques. The young couple with a new baby had inherited the estate and all its contents, and they were hoping to earn some money by selling the larger pieces.

“You seem stunned by the news,” Carson stated. “You wouldn’t know anything about the fire, would you?”

Shocked, Ryker bristled. “How the hell would I know about it since you just told me? Are they all right?”

The investigator’s eyes narrowed. “They were killed. Only the baby survived because the nursery was in the back of the house.”

Ryker’s gut clenched. The thought of an innocent baby without a mother and father was crippling.

“I hate to hear that,” he said honestly. “Why are you here telling me this?”

Braden came up behind Ryker and eased the door wider. “Something wrong?”

Ryker nodded to the unwanted guest. “This is Jack something-or-other. Claims he’s a PI.”

“What’s he want?”

Jack went on to explain the fire while Ryker studied the man. There was something about him that was familiar. Despite the expensive suit, the flashy SUV, the man smelled like a cop. But cops didn’t make this kind of money, neither did the Feds. This guy was definitely suspicious...and ballsy for showing up here.

“That’s terrible,” Braden replied once Jack was done with the story. “I’m not sure where we fit in.”

“We’re just trying to find who set this fire because it appears to be a cover-up.” Jack’s assessing eyes kept shifting between Ryker and Braden. “There was a robbery, and most of the antiques were wiped out. The couple actually died from gunshot wounds.”

Ryker remained still. “Why don’t you quit dancing around the reason you’re here and just spit it out.”

“The O’Sheas had been talking with this couple, correct? About taking some of these antiques to auction?”

Ryker narrowed his eyes. “Our business is none of your concern.”

“It is when there are two dead bodies.”

Braden took a step onto the porch. Jack instantly backed up, but merely crossed his arms as if he was bored.

“Get the hell off my property,” Braden growled. “If you have a problem, take it up with our attorneys. We don’t talk to random strangers accusing us of something we know nothing about.”

Braden took a step closer, and Ryker wondered if he’d have to step between these two.

Nah. It was nice seeing Braden get so fired up.

“What cop sent you?” Braden asked.

Jack remained silent and tipped his head. The cocky bastard was seriously getting on Ryker’s nerves. Having had enough of this nuisance, Ryker stepped onto the porch and wedged a shoulder between the two.

“While this is fun and all, we actually have lives to get back to,” Ryker told Jack. “So you’re here of your own accord? No Fed or cop sent you? Then get your nosey ass off the property.”

Clenching his fists at his side, Ryker tried to compose himself. But if this guy didn’t budge soon, he wasn’t going to be responsible for his actions.