Page 39 of Rising Heat

“She liked it.”

“And then?”

Tyler shrugs.

“I gave her the keys.”

Trick blinks.

“That’s the story?”

“Pretty much.”

Coop smirks with menacing delight.

“He gave her the keys the same day. No references, no credit check, no background check…”

He bobs his head back and forth as he lists out my brother’s lack of oversight.

“She seemed normal,” Ty says defensively.

I close my eyes.

Trick looks at Tyler with a raised eyebrow, then at me.

“And you allowed this?”

“I didn’t allow this. I found out after the lease was signed.”

“He wasn’t happy,” Tyler adds.

“Rightfully so.” I toss back.

“It’s fine.”

“It could have been a disaster.”

I glance at him out of the corner of my eye.

“It wasn’t.”

“Not yet.”

I cock my head.

Trick studies Tyler for a second, clearly intrigued.

“What’s she like?”

He’s asking Tyler instead of me, which was either instinct or wisdom.

“Funny. Smart. Seems like she’s got a good head on her shoulders. Moved herself up from Pennsylvania. Packed everything she owned into an SUV and drove six hours by herself.”

Tyler had been coming back to that part since the day she rented the apartment. Now again.

Not what she looked like. The move.

I don’t think Tyler realizes he’s doing it.