Jaimie: Fire and Ice (The Wilde Sisters 2)

“Meaning, I’m gonna go down to the lobby and find them sleeping off the effects of some new gas?”

“Meaning, you need to tell them that there’s no reason to fall for a sob story about finally locating a long-lost brother and wanting to surprise him.”

Zach’s eyebrows rose. “You’re kidding.”

“Hey, when I tell a sob story, nobody can doubt it. I’m good, dude. Remember?”

“Lying 101,” Zach said, and laughed. “Well, hell. Thank you, I think. Until now, I thought this building was secure.”

“Actually, it is. Well, more or less.”

Caleb pulled a photo from his suit jacket pocket and handed it over. In it, a younger Zach and Caleb stood in a field wearing camos, the two of them muddy, obviously exhausted, and grinning like hyenas.

“Man! That shot’s a hundred years old.”

“At least.” Caleb smiled. “So, how’ve you been?”

“Fine. Excellent.” Not really a lie, Zach told himself. He was fine. All he had to do was get the blonde out of his head. “You?”

“The same. Got a wife.” Pride roughened Caleb’s voice. “A kid, too.”

“Congratulations.”

“It’s a different life, you know?”

Zach knew. No excitement. No risk. And going home to one woman, the same woman every night…

Caleb laughed. “Your face is like an open book, Castelianos. Trust me. It’s a good life. Actually, it’s a great life.”

“You never miss the old days?”

“Yes,” Caleb shrugged, his smile fading. “Once in a while, sure. But then I look at Sage and our baby and I know I made the right choice…and listen to me. Jesus, I sound like an Ann Landers retread.”

Both men laughed. Then Caleb cleared his throat.

“I probably should have called first.”

“But you just couldn’t resist scamming your way up here.”

“That, too, but basically, I was so intent on this—this problem we have that I didn’t even realize I hadn’t phoned until I was in the lobby.” He smiled. “At which point I thought, let me see if I can still talk my way into something you’re not supposed to be able to talk your way into.”

“Got it. But what’s this about a problem?”

“It’s the kind of thing that requires special skills.”

“Special…”

“Don’t look at me like that,” Caleb said quickly. “Investigative skills. Protective know-how. And, see, it’s personal.”

“Jesus, Caleb. You and your wife?”

“Sage? No, no. This doesn’t involve her.” Caleb ran his hands through his hair. “It’s a family thing, I guess you’d call it.”

Zach nodded. “OK. Tell you what. Let me shower, put on some clothes, we’ll have some breakfast and you can fill me in on what’s happening.”

“Not if you’re the one making the breakfast.”

Zach grinned. “You always were one smart dude, Wilde. Worry not. There’s a place a ten-minute walk from here. Good coffee. Eggs. Bacon. Pancakes. Or that ever-elegant New York staple, bagels, lox and cream cheese.”