A Barlow Lens by Elizabeth Noble Read Free Book Online

looked Val up and down, shrugged, and walked to the bar. He snatched a glass from the table and a bottle of whiskey from the bar. He poured more than a shot’s worth into the glass and downed it, then poured another one. Wyatt resisted the urge to shake his head. Kevin had already smelled of booze when he came in, and his eyes were bloodshot.
    â€œSo, my brother is barely cold in his grave and you get yourself a brand new boy toy.” Kevin’s voice was so cold Wyatt had to make a conscious effort not to shudder.
    The smile slid off Val’s face. His arm dropped to his side. It took Wyatt a few seconds to recover and react. Closing the distance between them fast enough that Kevin wouldn’t have time to back away, Wyatt grabbed Kevin by one arm and pulled them together. He used a hard enough grip and jerked down with enough pressure Kevin gasped.
    â€œYou never even came to Jack’s funeral, and I’ll wager you don’t even know where his grave is,” Wyatt said in a low voice. “Don’t talk to me like I’m the one who did anything wrong. I’m the person who took care of him right to the end.”
    â€œHey, hey, don’t.” Val had one arm between them, pushing back against Wyatt’s chest. “It’s not worth it.”
    Wyatt ignored Val. When Kevin tried yanking free, Wyatt tightened his hold. “Don’t you ever talk to him”—he dipped his head at Val—“like that again. Better not forget I know a helluva lot about you that Lily doesn’t, and I’m sure you never want her finding those facts out.” He let go of Kevin, giving him a shove, and stepped back at the same time.
    â€œYou can’t threaten me,” Kevin snarled.
    â€œFunny, I think I just did,” Wyatt snapped back. “And that’s not a threat; it’s a promise.”
    â€œI have work to do.” Kevin brushed by them and left the room.
    Lily frowned at Kevin’s back as she reentered the room. “God, Wyatt, I’m sorry. Kevin is usually still at work at this time.” She held out some small, glossy folders to Val and offered them a small, sad smile.
    Wyatt kissed her cheek and took Val’s other hand. “No worries. It was bound to happen sooner or later—us running into one another. No harm done. We’d better go now, though.”
    â€œYou’ll come to the museum?” Lily asked. She looked hopeful, and Wyatt knew her request was sincere.
    â€œWe wouldn’t dare miss seeing the place, and I want my grand tour,” Val said. Once again Wyatt silently blessed his luck for finding Val. As they were driving away, Val asked, “Storage place?”
    â€œYeah.” Wyatt leaned back against the car seat and rubbed his forehead. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œYou’re not responsible for what other people say.” Val arched an eyebrow and grinned. “Seeing you react like that makes me so hot for you.”
    Wyatt burst out laughing. “And yet another reason why I love you. You were right, though, I need to eat.”
    â€œWell, make yourself useful and look up directions to the storage facility, then find us some food to pick up along the way,” Val said. “After that you might want to make a plan to express your love when we get back to the hotel.”
    â€œYou know I will.” Wyatt began his search for directions. He had a good feeling about what they would find.

Chapter 5
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    T HE STORAGE company was on their way back to the hotel, tucked between a factory type establishment and a flower wholesaler on a busy street. They pulled in and drove slowly along the rows of lockers until they found the one with the same number as the key. Val pulled to the end of the row and parked the car so it wouldn’t block any other vehicles moving through.
    Wyatt unlocked the unit’s main bay door. Beside that was a smaller, regular door. He’d grabbed a flashlight