He didn’t answer me. Not that I expected he would. I got up to take my shower. I figured he’d let me this time. He’d had three or four orgasms already today. He wouldn’t be after me for another.

I turned to look at him, his eyes still closed, his arm over his forehead as usual. One of his knees was bent and strewn over his other leg. Naked glory—he was indeed the epitome of masculine beauty.

I walked to the door to make sure it was locked, and I went to take a shower.

Twenty minutes later, when I walked out of the bathroom to dress, Talon was gone.

 

* * *

 

“I can’t believe this.” Marj brought in the steaks from the grill and set the platter down harshly down on the patio dining table. “I told him six sharp.”

Jonah and Ryan were relaxing in the hot tub with a beer. I was sipping a glass of Ryan’s Rhône blend in a redwood Adirondack chair. My heart lurched. Worry for Talon consumed me. Had he fainted somewhere?

“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Sis,” Ryan said jovially.

Always jovial, that one. Ryan always had a smile. I’d miss working with him when my bar results came in.

“Is it a crime to want to have dinner with my family?” Marj shook her head. “My whole family? I’ve been cooking for two hours!”

Jonah got out of the hot tub, his trunks dripping, and wrapped a towel around his waist. “It smells great. Don’t feel bad, Marj. You know how Talon is.” He sighed. “I just wish he were here. He was just in the ER yesterday, for God’s sake.”

So Jonah was worried too.

“He ruined my special dinner,” Marj said, her dark eyes somber.

I gulped down the last of my wine. I hated to see my best friend upset. Yes, I was concerned, but I wouldn’t let Marj down. I rose. “Come on.” I put my arm around Marj’s shoulder. “Joe and Ryan are here. I’m here. And everything smells great. Plus, I worked really hard sprinkling salt and pepper on that asparagus.”

That got a slight smile out of Marj.

“Listen to Jade, Sis,” Ryan said. “I could eat a horse. Let’s pour some more of that Rhône and have some chow.”

Dinner was delicious. At least I assumed it was. It all tasted like cardboard to me. Worry for Talon pounded in my gut. Alongside the worry churned anger. How could he do this to Marj? She had lightened up a bit after a couple glasses of wine, but she was clearly hurt that he had stood her up. I put on my happy face and talked with Marj and her brothers, but an underlying current of malaise was thick around us.

Where was he?

I helped Marj clear the table and then offered to serve the dessert. I went into the kitchen to fetch the French silk pie from the refrigerator, when the doorbell rang. Marj and the guys were outside and hadn’t heard it. I walked out of the kitchen through the hall to the doorway. Who would be calling on a Sunday evening?

I opened the door. A cop stood on the front porch.

“Yes?” I said.

The cop cleared his throat. “I’m Officer Steve Dugan, ma’am. Is Mr. Steel at home?”

“Which one?”

“Talon Steel.”

I shook my head. “No, he’s out. But his brothers are here.” I held out my hand. “I’m Jade Roberts, Marjorie’s friend. Do you…want me to get Jonah and Ryan for you?”

Dugan nodded. “Yes, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure.” I held the door open. “Come on in.”

He stepped in and removed his hat. Polite.

“I’ll just be a minute.”

I walked quickly through the kitchen to the patio. They were laughing. At what, I had no idea. It was the first gale of laughter I’d heard tonight, and with the news I had, it would no doubt be the last.

I cleared my throat. “Excuse me, you guys, but there’s an Officer Dugan here to see Talon. He wants to talk to the two of you.”

Jonah arched his eyebrows. “Steve? What’s going on?”

“I haven’t a clue,” I said, “but he’s waiting in the foyer.”

Jonah rose and walked past me, Ryan and Marj following. I strode quickly on their heels. I might not be family, but I needed to know what was going on. My nerves were a wreck.

“Steve”—Jonah held out his hand—“what’s going on, buddy?”

“Hey, Joe.” Dugan shook Jonah’s hand and then Ryan’s and Marjorie’s. “I’m sorry to barge in like this.”

“I guess you’ve already met Marj’s friend Jade?” Ryan said.

Dugan smiled…sort of. “Nice to meet you.” He shook my hand.

His hand was big and meaty. And clammy with perspiration. This cop was nervous. Or hesitant.

“Come on into the living room,” Jonah said. “You want a drink?”

Dugan shook his head. “I’m here to see your brother.”

“You putting together another poker game?” Ryan smiled. “Why don’t you ever ask me to play?”

“Because you suck, Ry,” Dugan said, “but that’s not why I’m here.” He cleared his throat. “I’m afraid this isn’t a social call.”

Apprehension clogged the air. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

“I need to take Talon in. I have a warrant for his arrest.”

 

* * *

 

I was helping Marion in the winery office the next morning, trying desperately to get Talon out of my mind.

He hadn’t come home last night. I’d made several pilgrimages to the kitchen, hoping to find him staring at that damned glass of water, but to no avail. I hadn’t slept, and from the looks of Ryan when I came in this morning, neither had he.

I nearly dropped the file I was working on when Marjorie burst in like a tornado, her cheeks flushed pink and her eyes rimmed with darkness, carrying a legal-size envelope. Clearly, she hadn’t slept either.

“Jade”—she forced a smile—“your bar results came.”

My stomach rose in my throat. The last thing I wanted to do was open that envelope in front of Marj and Marion.

“Morning, ladies.” Ryan strode in, his signature smile missing from his face. “How’s everything going this morning?”

And now in front of Ryan. Why couldn’t he have stayed over at the warehouse with the barrels?