Read Online Found at the Library by Christi Snow - Free Book Online Page A

pressed into a tight line, and he had his hands propped on his hips, as he waited for an explanation.
    Mac shrugged like it was no big deal. “I kind of stocked your fridge.”
    But Tommy didn’t react, since he’d become focused on the banker’s moneybag on the counter. He unzipped it. His mouth fell open and he looked up at Mac with wide eyes. “How much is in here?” he asked quietly.
    “Um...” Mac rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly uncomfortable.
    Mac reached over and picked up the cat, just for something to do, and tossed her onto her back in his arms. He scratched her neck, and she arched like a whore causing him to chuckle. It had taken her a few hours to warm up to him, but when he’d brought her some crab for lunch that first day, they had become best friends.
    “What did you do to Ampersand?” Tommy demanded. “She doesn’t like anyone. In fact, she’s half-feral most the time.”
    Mac glanced down at the cat, purring like an engine with her eyes rolled back. “Ampersand is her name? I didn’t know. She likes crab. A lot. I may have bribed her a bit.”
    “Is that what this is?” Tommy lifted the bag with disgust. “Some sort of bribe? For what? Sexual favors?”
    “No!” Mac shook his head and set the cat back down on the floor. She scampered off at his harsh tone. “The receipts are all in there, but it’s the store’s income from the last three days. I think it’s over ten or eleven thousand dollars.”
    “You have got to be shitting me.” Tommy rifled through the money.
    “I know. I know this looks bad, but I promise. I’m not a bad guy. I simply wanted to help, and everything kind of snowballed, and maybe I did a bit more than I should have.”
    “Um, you think?” Tommy’s tone echoed with snarky disbelief. “You washed my underwear, stocked my fridge, ran my store, seduced my cat, and I have no idea what else. How the fuck did you even get in here?”
    Shit, shit, shit. He was totally going to jail. And Emily would never forgive him if he missed his book deadline. “I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. I wanted to help.”
    Tommy clenched his jaw and he spoke through gritted teeth. “How did you get in?”
    Honesty...maybe that would help him seem more sincere and not threatening. Mac took a deep breath and dove in. “That first day, I took your key off your keychain while you were asleep on the way to the hospital, and I copied it.” He needed to say something eloquent and persuasive here. He was a writer. He could do that, right? He stared at Tommy’s hand that opened and closed in a fist like he was debating violence.
    Tommy glared. “I don’t want to know anymore.” He flung out his hand with his palm up. “I want my key back and I want you to leave. Now.”
    Mac’s stomach sank. He didn’t want to leave. Mac didn’t have a clue what he could say to make this better.
    It hurt him to look at Tommy’s wounded, exhausted eyes. He didn’t want to cause him any more pain or stress. That had never been his intention. “Okay, but then you need to eat and get some sleep. I know you’re exhausted, and in a few days, Ryder is going to wake up to the fact that he needs you. If you’re sick, you won’t be able to be there when he calls. And Tommy, he’s going to call.”
    Regardless of anything else, Mac needed for that to be true. Tommy needed his brother, and although Mac had never met Ryder, he assumed the case was also true for Ryder.
    For the barest of moments, a fleeting expression of hope mixed with despair crossed Tommy’s face, and all Mac wanted was to draw him into his arms and sooth his hurt. Again. What was it about this guy that pulled him in, every time?
    “Please, just go.” Tommy turned away from him.
    “Okay.” Mac grabbed the keys out of his jacket and pulled the one for the store off the ring and placed it on the counter. “You have my phone number. I’m here if you need me, even if it’s just to talk. I didn’t