Rissy’s face went redder than ever.
Cannon smiled at her. “Now that I’m here, I think we can agree that a topic change is in order.”
“Yes.” Merissa dropped an arm over her eyes. “Definitely.”
Leese noticed that Cannon didn’t seem bothered by finding his sister in a bedroom, on a bed, with a man who wasn’t her boyfriend. But he didn’t know if that was trust for him, for Rissy, or just an acceptance that they were friends and nothing more.
“The place is really something. Thanks again.”
Cannon got comfortable on the other side of the bed. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“That’s what I told him,” Rissy said, finally dropping her arm. “I feel like it’ll be more secure now than just sitting empty.”
“I talked to Logan,” Cannon told her in another topic shift. “They still don’t have any clues about the bank robbery.”
Rissy sat up yoga style beside her brother. “I’m starting to think they never will.”
Would they both always make themselves at home in the rented space? Leese supposed that made sense, given they’d grown up here. He didn’t mind. For the longest time it had felt like he was on his own. It was nice to belong to a group, to be part of an extended family of sorts.
Cannon patted his sister’s knee while speaking to Leese. “Rissy’s shown you how to work the keypad on the security system?”
“She did. This place is like a fortress.” Finishing up, he turned to face them and leaned a hip on the dresser. “Growing up, our idea of security was to put a stick in the sliding doors.”
Cannon smiled. “Whatever works.”
“If you’re done for the day,” Rissy said, “does that mean Armie is on his way home, too?”
“If he’s not already, he should be soon. And Simon is insisting he takes tomorrow as a day of recovery.”
“Meaning?”
“No gym, no workouts.”
Leese whistled. “He’s not going to like that.” Never before had he met anyone with Armie’s metabolism. The guy could literally go all night and not wear out.
“He’ll adjust. Havoc and Simon are determined to see that he does.” Cannon nudged his sister. “Think you can keep him occupied?”
She blushed again.
Shaking his head, Cannon said, “Get your mind out of the gutter, Rissy. That’s not what I meant.”
A knock on the front door drew everyone’s attention, saving her from having to reply.
“I’ll get it.” She slid off the bed but paused to say to Leese, “Just so you know, once you’re all moved in, I won’t just wander in. You really will have your own privacy.” After saying that, she headed up the steps.
Cannon kept her in his line of sight, adding, “You should be comfortable here. But when possible, I’d prefer—”
“That I hook up elsewhere?” Leese asked.
Cannon’s brows pinched down. “I wasn’t going to say that. It’s your place. Use it how you see fit.”
Oh. Leese had been sure he was about to get lectured. Of course, Rissy spent very little time here now anyway.
“I was going to ask that you do a walk around the place every so often. Get familiar with the outside so you can recognize if anyone has been sneaking around, peeking in windows or anything.”
“Sure,” Leese said. “No problem.”
When Rissy raised her voice, they both turned in a rush to go to her and nearly collided in the doorway. Leese lifted his hands in apology, stepped back and let Cannon take the lead.
* * *
MERISSA KNEW THE second that Cannon and Leese stepped up behind her. Mr. Jacobson lost some of his antagonism, and instead of trying to threaten, he cajoled.
She despised him. “Is that it?”
“I’m trying to help,” he ground out.
“Your help isn’t needed.”
“What’s going on?” Cannon stepped up beside her.
As usual, he was calm personified. She rarely saw her brother get riled—but when he did, look out. Merissa gestured at Armie’s father. “He’s telling me that it’s dangerous to be around Armie.”
“Ah.” Cannon folded his arms. “Unless, of course, she talks Armie into giving you some money?”
Mac shrugged. “Wouldn’t hurt. And so you know, I did find out more info. Didn’t know you were here or I’d have asked to talk to you instead.”
“So you wouldn’t have to bother with the little lady,” Merissa sneered.
“Nothing little about you, now is there?” Mac gave her a dead stare. “I’d rather talk with him because he’s more reasonable than you are.”
“You—”
Cannon stepped slightly in front of her. “Tell me about the threats to my sister.”
Mac held out a hand and rubbed his fingers together. “Pay up.”
Remaining calm, Cannon said, “You have about two seconds to start talking.”
Merissa felt Leese’s hands on her shoulders, moving her back.
Mac said, “That’s not our deal!”
“I don’t deal with the likes of you.” He reached for Mac.
Backstepping fast, Mac almost fell off the porch. “Now wait a damned minute!”
“Start talking.”
“Fine. Jesus.” He needlessly straightened his jacket, took off his hat to smooth his oily hair, then replaced it. “Understand, this isn’t coming from me. But I’m told she’s the way to make him suffer.”
“How?”
Merissa appreciated her brother’s commanding presence, but it made her nervous all the same. Mac was the kind of cretin who might carry a gun, or ambush someone when they least expected it.
“I don’t know how,” he argued. “I’d be willing to dig for more details if you’d pay me.”
While they all ignored that, Merissa stepped forward again. “How did you find my house?”
He sneered. “You’re easy to find, honey. Everyone in this damned town knows you and your brother.”
“You expected to find her alone?” Cannon stepped farther out. “Or maybe you thought the house would be empty?”
Mac didn’t have an answer. He scratched at his bristly chin. “What are you accusing me of?”
“Every damn thing I can think of,” Merissa threw out, and she followed her brother. She heard Leese sigh, and he, too, walked out.
Mac eyed him. “I thought you were with my boy?”
“You don’t need to know anything about me,” Merissa said. “Except that I’m amazed Armie’s so wonderful, given who fathered him.”
After sucking at a tooth, Mac grinned. “You two deserve each other.”
Oh God, Merissa hoped so, because she wanted Armie, now and forever.
Cannon said, “Stay here,” and then he followed Mac out to a beat-up sedan. Before Mac could get in the driver’s seat, Cannon caged him in, then went nose to nose with an intense conversation.
“I can’t hear what they’re saying,” Merissa whispered to Leese.
Looping an arm around her shoulders, Leese said, “She’s my sister, come near her again and you’re toast.”