Free Flynn (The Love Family Series Book 3) by Kate Allenton Page A

her skin and skewing her thoughts. She needed to find a new place to live and soon. Otherwise, she might just be the one begging.
    Mia got up and took a quick shower, emerging from her room put together, confident and ready for the day. She put on her brave face, feeling much more pulled together as she met Declan and Flynn in the kitchen, where she found them having easy brotherly banter. Declan was fixing a cup of coffee when Flynn handed her a cup already made. “Thank you.”
    Declan glanced over his shoulder. “Just the woman I needed to see.” He finished doctoring up his coffee before he sat down at the table. “Why don’t you have a seat.”
    She slid into the chair, every nerve fiber strung tight, not knowing what type of new information he might have. “Flynn said you picked up the guy from the pool?”
    “We sure did.” Declan let out a long breath. “He wasn’t your brother, but it turns out you were somewhat right. The guy was watching you.”
    “I don’t understand.” Mia cupped her warm mug, letting the warmth seep into her chilled body. “Who is he?”
    “He’s a headhunter and hired muscle for McGregor.”
    Mia took a sip of the hot liquid and savored it as it slid down her throat. “It’s no secret McGregor wants me on his team. He’s approached me before, and I kindly declined. He wants my research. Any reason to suspect that this headhunter is the guy behind my break-ins and mugging?” she asked, curious if maybe they were looking specifically for any research she had. The thought alone made her see red.
    “He’s not. He has an alibi, and he’s telling the truth. He was here to try to convince you that McGregor would be a better option than working for Luke. He was here on the up and up.”
    “And you’re sure?” she asked.
    “I personally questioned him,” Declan answered, as if that was proof enough. “Stan went back to the mainland to check his alibi, but I already know that it’s solid.”
    “Human lie detector,” she mumbled, and Declan shot his brother a glare.
    “What? She needed to know.”
    Declan’s brow rose, but he didn’t push for a further explanation.
    “Any news on my brother? Have you talked to his case worker?”
    “Stan told me this morning that he got that call last night. Garth is accounted for.”
    Relief flooded her body and her shoulders relaxed. “That’s a relief.” She glanced between them both. “So there’s no reason to believe that anyone followed me. I can get back to life as normal.”
    Declan hesitated with an answer.
    “What? What aren’t you telling me?”
    “Well, it’s too early to tell if it’s related, but we did find an abandoned boat on the other side of the Island. We’re running the registration and dusting for prints. It could be nothing.”
    “But it could be something?” Flynn asked as he moved behind her and rested his hand on her shoulder.
    “It’s probably unrelated, but we’re still going to run it down.”
    “Thank you.” Mia reached across the table and placed her hand on Declan’s. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am that Garth isn’t here and no one on the Island is out to get me.”
    She slid her hand free and put it on top of Flynn’s which rested on her shoulder. She glanced up at him. “Just think, I’ll be out of your hair in no time now that I can get back to finding a place to live.” 
    “Just keep your eyes open and you two stay alert for anyone suspicious.” Declan rose and took his cup to the sink. “I’ll be in touch when I have any information on the boat, and when I actually lay eyes on Garth’s records.”
    Flynn walked his brother to the door and spun around with a big grin on his face. He rubbed his hands together, and his eyes sparkled with new life. “This calls for a celebration.”
    “What do you have in mind?” she asked, feeling as though the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders.
    “Dinner tonight at LaAmour on me.”
    “Still trying to