I put my hand on my heart, hoping for a moment of levity. “I will spare you such torture, sweetness.”
As I hoped she would, Rebel smiled.
“We’ll find who did this, just like we found Possum’s killer. I promise you.”
“I guess the interview is a no-go, then.”
I’d given that a lot of thought on my way back from the courthouse after Mac had called to ask me to come and see the vandalism for myself. I hated the idea that this lovely woman would be forced to put a dream on hold due to the likes of criminals. It was a tragedy, really.
“No. Schedule your interview.”
“But—”
“If not by me, you’ll be escorted to and from by a member of our team. And that is in the event we haven’t yet located those still posing a threat to you.”
“Okay.”
I motioned with my head toward the kitchen. “Have you spoken with Tee-Tee?”
“Yes, and she’s very excited about it.”
“It’s because she loves you.”
“You’re making this very hard on me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Aren’t you going to ask what I meant?”
“Very well. What did you mean?”
“Keeping things between us as just friends.”
I closed my eyes and smiled. “I’m not sure how to respond.”
Rebel stood, put her hands on my shoulders, leaned forward, and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, Edge.”
After agreeing to come back to the dining hall for dinner, I called a meeting. Rile had returned to London, but Grinder was still here as were Decker and I. On my way to my place, I rang Mac as well as Hammer. If Rebel’s former attorney was somehow involved, Hammer’s assistance could be helpful.
One by one, they arrived at the house. Grinder, who I’d expected to show up first, was last. The moment he walked in, I knew something was off.
“What is it?” I asked before he walked over to join the others.
He looked up at me as if he was surprised by my question. “Nothing.”
I raised a brow.
“Unrelated.”
“Anything we should discuss?”
“Not now.”
I accepted his responses in the way I always did. Grinder would talk when he was ready, and no amount of pushing would ever change that. Oddly, the same was not true when it came to me. The man could be relentless. I suppose that’s what made us best mates. He knew that, ultimately, I needed to talk things out. Conversely, I knew he didn’t. At least not until he was ready.
“Thanks for agreeing to meet so expediently,” I began as I tossed the photos I’d taken of Rebel’s car onto the table. It was almost unrecognizable, given the amount of damage done.
“Any security footage?” Decker asked.