Melinda buried her hands in his hair, pulled the elastic band free, and stroked through the long strands. “Talk to us.”
He would. He had no choice. But he needed a moment to bask in her touch first.
Trace spoke first. “Where have you been?” he asked gently.
Keegan lifted his head, keeping one arm around Melinda as he turned to face Trace. “I went to see Mimi.”
Melinda sucked in a breath.
“And?” Trace asked.
“It was probably more for moral support than anything else. I was curious. I needed to hear what she had to say.” He chuckled. “Hell, I needed her to chew me a new asshole is what I needed.”
“I could have done that for you,” Melinda teased. “All you had to do was ask.”
He smiled, grazing his hand up her back until he reached her neck. He cupped the back of her head and leaned down to kiss her. When he pulled back, he groaned. “I know. But sitting on the porch at Griffen’s house talking to Mimi didn’t make my dick hard. I get a little distracted when you talk to me. No offense.”
She giggled. “None taken. And I’m glad you aren’t physically attracted to my grandma.”
Silence fell.
Keegan knew his mates were waiting on him to speak.
Something sizzled on the stove. Trace turned around and extinguished all the burners. He lifted a giant pot of pasta, carried it to the sink, and poured it in the colander. Steam rose into the air. When he finished, he wiped his hands on a towel and nodded to the living room. “Let’s go sit down.”
Keegan lifted Melinda off the counter and kept a hand on her lower back as they rounded to the couch. He pulled her down next to him while Trace took a seat in the chair next to the sofa.
He needed to just get it all out. “I got a threatening email.”
Melinda grabbed his hand and squeezed.
Trace narrowed his gaze, stroking his chin with his fingers. He wasn’t stupid. He’d been in the room when Keegan had read the email for the dozenth time.
“I was given choices. Either back off and stop investigating this rumor of intentional disregard for safety and find a way to convince others there is no reason to worry, or…” he licked his lips, “the situation will be handled for me.”
“Fuck,” Trace muttered.
“Yeah. Or fucked, depending on how you want to look at it.”
“You won’t back off, of course,” Melinda stated emphatically.
Keegan gave her a wan smile. “Of course. And in the spirit of obviousness, you’ll leave town and hide somewhere safe, right?”
She laughed outright then and rolled her eyes. “Sure, let me just pack my bags. I’ve been needing a vacation.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Trace stated without acknowledging her mirth.
Melinda jumped up, yanking her hand from Keegan’s. She stomped to the center of the room, far enough neither man could reach out and grab her. “Please tell me you’re fucking kidding.”
Keegan shook his head. “Not kidding. But I know you well, hon. I’m clear on your stance. I’m sure any effort of coercion on my part would be wasted and only assure me a cozy spot on the couch for the duration of the night.”
“Damn right.” She set her hands on her hips. “Do not ever fucking mention the idea of separating again. We might work in different locations during the day—perhaps miles apart from each other—but at night, we three share the same bed. Nonnegotiable. For life.” She added a tapping foot for emphasis or perhaps out of stress. “I never want to go to sleep angry or separated. Got it?”
Keegan nodded. He reached out a hand. “Come back. I need to touch you. When I have a hand on you, it calms me.”
She inched forward. “Then why on earth would you suggest I leave town?”
“I’m not so selfish that I don’t value your safety over my comfort.”
She stepped between his legs and set her hands on his shoulders as he tipped his head back. “We’re a team. Thank you for sharing this information. I know it was hard for you. I don’t want secrets between us.”
“Trust me. My revelation wasn’t altruistic in the least. The only reason I considered mentioning it was out of fear for your safety when you aren’t with one of us.” He grabbed her waist during this admission.
“I’ll let that slide and bask in your openness.” She pulled his head in to her chest and hugged him tight.
“We need a plan,” Trace pointed out.
“Yes.” Keegan leaned back, pulling Melinda across his lap and holding her side tight against him.
“We’ll have to call the FBI now. This is bigger than either of our sheriff’s offices can handle. I’ll call my boss tonight and let him know what’s going on. You call Corbin and then his chief.”