Free Witness by Piper Davenport Page B

his arms. “Hey, sissy.”
    “Oh my god, it’s been forever.”
    “Super secret assignment,” he said.
    “You could still call,” she said, frowning up at him.
    He kissed her cheek. “I’ll make more of an effort.”
    She grinned. “That’s all I ask.”
    “Where’s everyone else?” he asked.
    “Gordon, Dad, and William are out on the deck. You want a beer?” Kristen asked.
    Brock shook his head. “On assignment.”
    “I thought you were off for the night.”
    “But not off duty, sis. I could be called at any minute for any reason.”
    “Right,” she said, and smiled. “Pop?”
    “Coke would be great.”
    Payton grabbed one from the fridge and handed it to him.
    “Thanks. I’ll go see Dad.” Brock headed out the back and onto the deck.
    “It’s the prodigal son,” his father said, standing and pulling Brock in for a hug.
    “Hi, Dad.”
    His dad nodded to the soda in Brock’s hand. “Still on duty?”
    “Yep.”
    “Lizzie will be thrilled you broke away for a bit.”
    Brock hung out with the men until it was time to grill and then he helped with food, heavy lifting, and anything else the women asked of him.
    After dinner, cake, and singing, kids were relegated to the basement and the adults congregated in the family room to recharge. Brock took a few seconds to send Bailey a quick text, and then joined his family. His sister, Payton, was scheming with Anna, and the reason he knew she was scheming was because her lips were moving.
    “Whatever you’re up to, I’m not interested,” Brock said.
    “What makes you think we’re up to anything,” Payton asked.
    “Because you and Anna have your heads together and you’re whispering,” he said. “You never whisper, sissy. You have two levels. Loud and louder.”
    Payton snorted.
    “Am I wrong?” he challenged.
    “FBI agent, honey,” his dad pointed out. “He doesn’t miss anything.”
    “Okay, fine,” she said. “I have a friend—”
    “No,” he interrupted.
    “She’s gorgeous. You’ll adore her.”
    “No.”
    His sister, Kristen, leaned forward and raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”
    “What do you mean, why not?” he asked. “I don’t want to date one of Payton’s bimbo friends.”
    “Hey!” she argued. “My friends aren’t bimbos.”
    “You’ve met someone,” Kristen said.
    “ Kris ,” he droned.
    She gasped. “You did meet someone.”
    “Someone who should have been an FBI agent,” their father said. “She never misses anything either.”
    Fuck. Dad’s right.
    “Who is she?” Payton demanded.
    “A girl,” he said.
    She threw a wadded up napkin at him, hitting him in the eye. He smiled and lobbed it back at her. Unfortunately, she was ready and caught it.
    Payton’s phone pealed and she answered the call. “Macey, hey. You’re never going to guess. Brock’s got himself a woman.”
    Brock squeezed his eyes shut and dropped his head back. Shit .
    “Oh my god , you know who it is,” Payton said. “Yes you do. Don’t you dare lie to me. Macey . Sisters before misters. You suck. Fine. Whatever. ’Bye.”
    At least I can trust Macey.
    “Who is it?” Payton demanded again.
    “Leave your brother alone,” their mother said. “If he’s met someone, he’ll tell us when he’s ready.”
    “Thanks, Mom,” he said.
    She smiled.
    Brock checked his watch. He’d planned to stay the whole night, but he missed Bailey too much. “I should get back.”
    “I thought tonight was your night off?” Payton said.
    He cocked his head. “What?”
    “Macey said Dallas was on so you could come tonight.”
    “Things changed.”
    “She just told me,” she argued, pointing to her phone. “I thought we were going to hang out.”
    He leaned forward, settling his arms on his knees. “Payton, Macey isn’t privy to our schedules. She wouldn’t know.”
    “Don’t go all agenty and shit on me,” Payton snapped.
    “Language,” their mother admonished.
    “Sorry. Don’t go all agenty and crap on