Hot Pursuit

Chapter 4-1

4

Why isn't everyone as cool as you are? said the next message from AnonyMs. What's wrong with men?

Will frowned over the keyboard. Interesting. This was getting more personal than usual.

I don't believe in generalizations. I need specifics.

Okay then, she answered. A specific male relative just popped into my life completely uninvited.

Tell him to leave.

Just like that? Wow, is that how you roll with the ladies in your life?

He'd chosen the name StarLord as a joke, because he'd just seen Guardians of the Galaxy with Aiden and he hadn't ever intended on actually continuing this Flirt thing. But then he'd "met" AnonyMs and somehow they just kept writing. I keep my relationships breakup-proof. Clean and simple, no drama. If a woman wants to leave, I don't argue. If I want out, I just go.

That's cold.

That's real. I've had a kid to raise for the past eleven years. He didn't need a fake mother-figure around. So I kept my s*x life separate.

Mentioning "s*x" was another first. But she'd brought up the topic of relationships. That opened up a big old can of worms.

Only a man could think that makes any kind of sense, she sent back. But I like it. I keep my s*x life separate too—separate from other people. Big smiley face. I can satisfy my own self without all the drama, know what I mean?

Oooh, now this was getting good.

Will rubbed his hands together and glanced around the living room. His computer was set up in the corner. Right now, the room was empty, but either one of his brothers could walk in at any moment. They were both staying with him until they found their own places, and neither seemed in any hurry to do so.

Not that he wanted them to. It was great to have more Knight brothers in the house.

After he was granted guardianship of Aiden, he'd sold the old property and bought a big rundown farmhouse closer to Jupiter Point. Neither of them wanted to live in the house where the murder had happened. Will thought fixing up the farmhouse would be a good hands-on project they could both focus on. The work wasn't even close to being done, but he and Aiden had learned a s**t-ton about construction.

He stretched out his legs under the vintage writing desk that had come with the house. He'd just gotten back from a night run and still wore his workout clothes. He really ought to jump in the shower, but this convo with AnonyMs was too juicy to cut short.

I'm not sure I understand, he typed with a smirk. Maybe you can go into more detail.

Can't you use your imagination? the reply pinged a second later.

All too well. It's a good thing you can't see into my head right now.

Are you sure I can't? What's that I spy in there…looks like naked people! Then again, that could be the inside of any man's head.

He laughed out loud just as Ben walked into the room. He typed a quick "x"—the symbol they'd agreed on as meaning someone in real life was interrupting them. Then he closed out the app and rose to his feet.

Ben had a free weight in each hand. He was alternating arms, working his biceps as he strolled around the house. Shirtless.

"What the f**k? You're going to drip sweat everywhere," Will grumbled.

"Okay, Grandpa." Ben grinned at him. After spending five years as an Air Force pilot, he was used to teasing. "Who were you chatting with?"

"No one."

Chatting, to him, didn't quite describe it. That sounded like "chitchat," like boring conversation that didn't mean anything. His communications with AnonyMs were so much more than that.

Ben shrugged and dropped his weights onto the couch.

"Do you mind? We have a whole gym for that. It's outside. In the barn."

"It was lonely out there. I need someone to talk to while I work out. Want to come throw some iron around?"

"I was just headed for the shower."

Ben threaded a hand through his sweat-stiffened hair. It was finally growing out after years of the typical precision brush-cut. Of all the brothers, he looked the most like their mother. Sometimes the sight of his honey-blond hair and deep gray eyes made Will's heart hurt. Mom was out there somewhere. Grieving, running, hiding, who knew what. Occasionally Cassie sent a postcard letting him know she and Mom were both okay. He'd always sent copies to his brothers when they were overseas.

It wasn't enough, and yet it had to be.

"Better hurry, Grandpa." Ben teased. "You're getting sweat everywhere."

"Yeah, yeah." Will shut down the computer and slid his chair back. "How did the interviews go?"

"Pain in the ass. Why do people apply for a job they have no qualifications for? One of the applicants barely just got her pilot's license. I had to break it to her that she needed at least two years' flying experience." He cracked a grin. "I did offer her some copilot action. We're having dinner next week."

"Copilot action? Is that what they call it these days?"

"Hey, don't knock it. You could use some yourself. You act like an old man, Will. I've been keeping an eye on you and I'm not liking what I see. I'm worried. So is Tobias."

Will grabbed a gym towel from the back of his chair and wiped his face. "The hell you are. I'm fine. Jesus. Having the time of my life."

"That's the thing. You should be, but you're not. How about a beer? Barstow's, what do you say?"

Normally he'd jump at the chance to hang out with his brothers at everyone's favorite brew pub. But he'd much rather get Ben out of his hair so he could quiz AnonyMs some more. Her last provocative comment had all kinds of images flying around in his brain.

"Another time. I have to work tomorrow. Big investigation going on. Big by Jupiter Point standards, anyway." He brushed past his brother, but Ben jumped up and followed him toward the stairs that led to the bathroom, pumping his free weights as they went.

"You know, this strong and silent act only goes so far. I went away and worked out my emotions defending our country. You had to stay here and be Mr. Mom. Ever think you might have a few problems built up? Some s**t you stuffed down and never thought about?"

Will wheeled around to face his brother. "I think about everything. Often. I haven't forgotten and I never will. But we don't have to dwell on it either."

Ben backed away, raising his hands—which were still full of iron—in a defensive position. "Okay, okay. It was just a thought. Jesus."

The front door swung open and Tobias walked through. Even though he had the most intimidating appearance of the three of them, he was perceptive as hell. He stopped in the hallway and glared at them. "What happened?"

"I told Will he needed a woman and he ripped my face off." Ben worked his jaw back and forth. "Surprised I still have feeling in my jaw after that right jab he gave me."

Will rolled his eyes. "You're an i***t. What happened is that Ben doesn't know when to quit. And I have a woman. Roxy. She's a peach."

Both of his brothers gave him the "cut the crap" look.

Roxy was their former neighbor, and she and Will had been sleeping together off and on since high school. It was the ultimate relationship of convenience, and neither one had ever pretended otherwise.

Tobias turned to Ben. "Don't worry about the woman situation. It's covered. And I don't mean Roxy."

Will frowned at him. "What are you talking about?"

"Our free publicity."

Ben did a few more biceps crunches, looking thoughtful. "I'm intrigued. What's her name?"

"Merry Warren. She's coming out to the airstrip next week to interview us."

"Interview you," said Will. "I'm a silent partner, remember."

"Nope. We all have to be there. That means you too, Will. The Knight brothers, united."

"Can't do it. I have a job. Solving crimes, protecting and serving. Why do you want me there?"

"Just a little something I picked up on when I was talking to Merry. She sounds hot, by the way."

Ben was grinning like a madman. "This ought to be good. Tell you what, Will. You be there for the interview, and I'll stop hassling you."

Will gave in—mostly so he could get to his shower faster. "Fine. Text me the time and I'll work it out."

He loped up the worn stairs toward the second-floor bathroom. If Tobias thought there was anything between him and Merry, he was dreaming. Merry had made her feelings perfectly clear. She didn't like him.

AnonyMs, on the other hand…

He smiled as he stepped into the shower. AnonyMs was everything he wanted in a woman. Funny, real, honest, smart. And now they were starting to talk about s*x. The next step seemed logical to him.

What if he could talk AnonyMs into becoming a little less…anonymous?