Chapter 20
LANGSTON
Our normal space for Uplift meetings was not meant to hold the number of people who were currently stuffed inside.
Every rickety chair was taken, with several of the guys standing or leaning against the wall behind their partners.
Scanning the room, I paused at Finley before flicking my gaze to Dax at the opposite end of the room.
Finley’s expression was blank as she stared at a spot on the long table while Dax shifted from side to side, fidgety as hell.
I rolled my eyes. Those two needed to figure their shit out before it was too late. Not that I was one to talk. I’d almost missed my chance, but thank fuck I’d wised up in time.
As I pulled out a chair for Juno, Aiden tracked the move with a knowing grin.
“Will you look at that? Langston finally pulled his head out of his ass,” he sang with a wide smile.
“Halle-fucking-lujah.” He pushed off the wall he was leaning against and clapped his hands loudly.
“Okay, who put their money on them getting together before six months? There’s a big pot to claim.
” He shot me a dramatic frown. “I chose six weeks, but I should’ve known it would be longer. You’re a stubborn fucker.”
“And you’re a fucking asshole,” West laughed. Grabbing a pen from the table, he launched it at Aiden, who dodged easily.
Aiden pointed at West and turned to the deputy sheriff. “Oliver, did you see that? I’d like to file an assault charge.”
Oliver rolled his eyes and mumbled a reply before turning his attention back to the papers in front of him.
At the end sat Aspen, with Miles standing like a sentry behind her.
I scoffed at myself when I realized I was doing the same thing.
Hitching my chin at Miles in greeting, I did the same to Liam and Memphis.
I scanned the floor for the dogs but came up empty.
Guess they left the large Bernese mountain dog and yellow lab back at their respective homes, either to keep their cabins protected or because they knew there wouldn’t be room for their large bodies today.
Juno spun around in the metal chair and tipped her face up to me. For a second, I lost all thoughts, the enormity of the last couple of days hitting me square in the chest. I’d denied my true feelings for the woman for so long, and now I didn’t have to. She was mine.
And she was finally open to admitting she was ours.
“For now,” she’d said, but I’d do everything to ensure it was permanent.
“Hey,” she said, just loud enough for me to hear over the multiple conversations filling the small space.
“So, this morning, I realized I don’t know a lot about you.
Or you.” She shifted her gaze over to West, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her since we left the cabin.
“And I was hoping maybe we could change that. You know, since we’re roommates and all now.
” She tried but failed to suppress a grin.
“What did you have in mind?” Whatever she wanted to do, I was down for it. Hope filled my chest at her wanting to get to know me better. Not that it was all sunshine and fucking rainbows, but I’d love to tell her about some of my past, and Mattie.
“Do you have any clients today?”
I shook my head. “Not today, but I’m booked up tomorrow, though.
” I felt my lips pull down into a frown.
That would mean I’d have to leave her, but the best part of this multi-partner relationship meant she wouldn’t be alone.
West, even with one good hand, was lethal and would protect her with his life.
“A little more information for that booking add-on I’m creating would be great, and I want to see you in your natural habitat.” I chuckled and nodded. “So, maybe we go fishing today?” She swiveled to face West. “Can you come too?”
He scanned my face before slowly shaking his head. “I think I’ll stay behind today, but you two go. You and I can hang out tomorrow while he has to work.”
Fuck, I loved that man. He never thought of himself first, which made him a great best friend—and, it seemed, partner in this relationship. But sometimes I hated it. It was almost like he felt like he didn’t deserve to be thought of first.
Or at all.
“Everyone, listen up.” Brandon’s deep, commanding voice vibrated through the cramped space, making everyone go silent at his serious tone.
“As most of you know, there was a break-in at Hudson and Calista’s place yesterday.
Nothing was stolen, but something was left behind, suggesting it was from the same psycho asshole who’s behind the missing women. ”
Juno stiffened in her seat. Without even realizing I was doing it, I squeezed her shoulder before sliding my hand to palm the back of her neck in a comforting hold.
“We thought the threat was out there on the trail,” Brandon went on, “but it seems our continued investigation has brought that danger to our doorstep. That doesn’t mean we’re stopping, though, or backing down.”
“The opposite, in fact,” Hudson cut in. “I reached out to a friend in the FBI, a talented-as-hell medical examiner, and she’s agreed to help.
She needs all the autopsy findings, photos, and evidence shipped down to her in Dallas for the profiling team to review.
Rain also had me go to Anchorage to meet with a local FBI agent about the missing women cases while I was there talking to the coroner.
He seemed surprised by what’s going on here and said he needs to look into a few things before getting back to me on his suspicions, whatever the hell that means. ”
Oliver stepped up to the table, arms crossed over his chest. “While Hudson was gone, Ethan called me, saying he found something on the trail around the area he thinks that female hiker we found a week or so back would’ve camped.
” He looked at Ethan. “I can’t go into too much detail about the evidence we found, but we’re hopeful it will give us an idea of how she ended up so far away. ”
“And dead,” Ethan muttered.
“Until we catch this bastard, I don’t want anyone going anywhere alone, especially you ladies.
I know we were being cautious when on or near the trail, but we need to be just as vigilant here too.
No more unlocked doors.” Calista grimaced and tightened her hold on Sam, who squirmed on her mom’s lap.
“No more morning runs.” Baylee leaned back in her chair with a huff.
“And you need to find a roommate for a while.” His pointed look was aimed right at Juno.
“Now, wait a second,” she protested.
“Already taken care of, boss,” I cut in before she could finish. “She’s moving her stuff over to our place after this.”
“Bossy asshole,” Juno grumbled under her breath.
“What about her?” We all turned our attention to Dax, who was aiming a death glare at Finley. “Finley lives alone, so why aren’t you demanding she find a roommate? She needs to be safe too.”
Brandon massaged the back of his neck, looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable.
“That won’t be necessary because she won’t be here.”
“What?” the room basically gasped in unison.
“With the chopper being out of commission and us only needing one pilot for a while, Finley has decided to take some time off.” I chanced a glance down the table.
Dax’s expression said he was as shocked as us about this news, and utterly heartbroken.
“She’s leaving soon to stay with family in San Diego for a few weeks—”
“When?” Dax asked, voice cracking before he cleared his throat. “When are you coming back?”
Brandon looked at Finley, who just nodded.
“The vacation is open-ended.” Before Dax could ask for more details, Brandon continued. “We will keep everyone updated as the case develops, but remember to be extra vigilant wherever you go. If you see something strange, let Oliver, Hudson, or the sheriff know.”
“Like he’ll do anything,” Liam stated. “I’m wondering if he’s mixed up in this somehow. Why else would he block this investigation at every damn turn?”
“While I don’t think my dad has ties to the cases, I do agree that him pushing back has hindered the investigation, which is why I’ve asked him to step down.
” I felt my jaw go slack in utter shock at Oliver’s words.
“Yeah, I know, he was just as surprised by my balls to confront him.” He took off his hat and tossed it onto the table.
“While he hasn’t agreed to retire, I’ve at least set the stage and informed him that I will take the official lead on these cases from now on.
No more going through him or having to wait; it’s all on me now. ”
“Damn,” West murmured. “Fucking finally. Maybe now something will actually get done. I heard he was pushing back because he was pissed Brandon brought in Hudson.”
I nodded in agreement. That was what I’d heard too, but it didn’t make sense unless the sheriff was really that much of an asshole that he believed help meant he was failing somehow. There had to be more to it.
“Everyone has their schedule for the week,” Brandon said, “so that’s it for now. Stay safe out there.”
The room was noticeably quieter than it had been before the start of the meeting. A shoulder slammed into my side, pushing me against the wall as Dax made a path wide enough to get between me and Juno.
“What the hell?” I snapped, not that he heard me. His full attention was locked on the door where Finley had disappeared the second Brandon stopped talking.
“I need to talk to her,” Juno said, more to herself than me or West, before she stood and followed Dax.
I turned to West, who shrugged. “No clue what’s going on there. I’m just as in the dark as you are. Come on, let’s go do what you do best.”
“What’s that?” I grumbled, following him as we made our way to the door.
“Stalk Juno from the shadows while she talks with her friend.” I shoved his shoulder hard, making him stumble forward. “Just saying, you’ve had a lot of practice lately. While we watch and wait, we can make a plan for your day date.”