Page 79 of Wicked Shadows
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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Brianna, Chaise, Heather, and Liz entered the enormous suite that had become the temporary headquarters of Steele Security. The Moore and Condra families had been moved to the same floor for their own safety, traveling to interviews under the watchful eye of Reaper, Bull, or Rebel.
“We’re here. You can all take a break now. We’ve got this,” Liz exclaimed upon her entrance.
“Case is closed, boys. Liz is here. We can all go home,” Rebel teased as he rose to greet Heather. He enjoyed seeing Liz’s feathers ruffled.
“You think you’re better at this than me? As far as I can tell, you only started solving cases after I showed up to help you.”
Bull snorted, then coughed exaggeratedly to hide his gaffe. “We were just saying we couldn’t wait until you got here. We’ve missed you, Liz.”
Liz beamed with pride as every other eye in the room bore through Bull’s skin with a burning intensity.
“Yes, that’s exactly what we were just saying,” Reaper added, his tone rife with sarcasm and humor.
“Never fear, my boys. Mama Liz is here to protect you.”
“When did you become Mama Liz?” Heather asked as she wrapped her arms around Rebel, happy to be in her husband’s arms again.
“Since I started my own day care with just Steele Security kids. Have any of you figured out what causes repeat pregnancies yet?” Liz moved through the expansive adjoining suites, checking every bedroom before claiming hers. “I’m glad you reserved several suites on this floor. We’ll need one just for my headquarters.”
Reaper had learned not to argue with Liz more than absolutely necessary. Over the years with her as their nanny and friend, she’d trapped him by his own words one time too many. He rushed to Brianna and scooped her up in his arms. “Hey, baby. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me, too. Your parents and my parents argued over who would babysit while I’m here with you.” She laughed then kissed him. “I gave them each a week, so you need to wrap up this case and take me away for some adult time.”
“Oh, lord. Another Steele baby coming right up,” Liz groaned.
Reaper and Brianna chuckled while they continued their kiss hello.
Chaise melted into Bull’s arms, and their lips fused together. “Hello, gorgeous,” he said against her lips. “’Bout time you showed up.”
“Got here as soon as I could. Your parents and my parents are taking turns with the kids, too. I agree with Bri—we all need an adults-only vacation once this is over,” Chaise replied.
“What can we do to help?” Brianna asked.
“Elle’s and Beth’s parents have had a hard time with this. We’ve tried to calm them as much as possible without giving them much information on Shadow.”
“Where is my man?” Liz asked, reappearing in the living room decked out in black leather pants, a long-sleeve black Henley shirt, and a black leather vest. The matching black leather hat and fingerless gloves completed her biker look. “I’m his ride-or-die chick. Gotta support my man no matter which road he chooses.”
“Uh, Liz,” Rebel began, wiping the smile off his face with his big hand. “Your man is deep undercover. In an outlaw motorcycle gang. We can’t just insert you undercover with him. It’ll get him killed. Besides, I’m not sure your slip-on Skechers are approved by the Devil’s Dominion.”
“What’s wrong with them? They’re comfortable and easy to get on and off my feet when they swell.”
“Maybe we should let her loose on the gang. She’d probably take them down single-handedly,” Bull quipped.
“Damn straight. Let me at ’em.” Liz stood in front of the entry mirror and adjusted her hat. “Did anyone bring me a gun?”
“No!” came the unified reply from all three men.
Liz turned slowly and glared at each man. “Wait a minute. Where’s Silas?”
Reaper buried his face in Brianna’s neck, his body shaking so hard with laughter he couldn’t speak to respond to her question.
“Silas is working a different angle of the case, Liz. He’s protecting Jax Hart and working through his CIA contact to help Shadow. I’m sure we’ll see him soon.”
“Not when he finds out Liz is here,” Reaper whispered to Brianna. She immediately shushed him.
